The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) offers FREE business education workshops every Wednesday and Friday at City Hall.
To register for a workshop call 312-744-2086 or e-mail BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org
City of Chicago Free Business Workshops
6/1 Personal Credit Health: The Beginning of Your Business Start-Up
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by: Alecia Boyd Financial Opportunity Center Manager at Central States SER in partnership with LISC Chicago
This workshop will discuss the important role that personal credit plays as it relates to your road to entrepreneurship. You will understand the differences between personal credit and business credit; covering all basic personal credit information such as the 3 major credit Bureaus, FICO and Vantage scores, including how to build and improve personal credit. After taking this workshop you will be equipped with the essential information needed to take the next steps in building or improving your overall personal credit health to finance a new business or expand existing operations.
6/6 City Inspections – Ask Questions, Get Answers
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the City of Chicago
To operate a successful business in Chicago you need to know what it takes to maintain compliance. Officials from several City departments will provide insight on how to operate safely, stay compliant, help prepare for inspections and highlight the do’s and don’ts of operating a business.
6/8 How to Write a Business Plan – What you need to know!
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Donna R. Rockin, Managing Partner at Rockin Enterprises, Inc.
Learn how to create a comprehensive business plan. It’s easier than you think when you understand all the components that get included. You’ll receive a complete list of what to include to demystify the process. Writing a solid business plan is your roadmap to business success.
6/13 C corp, S corp, LLC – Which Is Right For My Business?
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the Community Law Project
The Community Law Project’s Small Business Program offers legal support to entrepreneurs who are starting or have their own small businesses as a strategy to create financial independence. Since most entrepreneurs operate on a shoestring budget, obtaining legal advice is often unaffordable. This workshop will provide entrepreneurs with information about choosing the correct corporate structure for their business.
6/15 Attain and Retain Your Key Employees: A Look at the Transitional vs A Tax Saving Option
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Ward Powell, The Ward Powell Group
In this workshop you will learn how bonuses for key employees will be understood from a different perspective and generate additional wealth while paying your help. We will discuss how the traditional means of compensation and benefits i.e. expenses on the balance sheet can become an asset.
6/20 Employee Classification & Compensation Concerns
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Charles Krugel, a Management Side Labor, Employment and Human Resource Attorney
This workshop will be a discussion of the legal and record keeping issues concerning the independent contractor & employee classifications, as well as hourly vs. salaried compensation & overtime.
6/22 Commercial Leasing and Zoning
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Agostino S. Filippone Chokshi Filippone Law, LLC
After payroll, leasing is typically the second biggest cost for any business. Attendees will gain a greater understanding of risks associated with commercial leasing and how to best position themselves for success when dealing with landlords.
6/27 Investigación de Mercado 101
(Workshop will be presented in Spanish)
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Quiroga College and Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
En este taller exploraremos los principios de la investigación de mercado, una herramienta que nos permite conocer si nuestro producto, servicio o empresa satisface alguna necesidad en el mercado, información básica que nos ayudará a enfocar nuestra oferta de valor.
6/29 Introduction to E-mail Marketing
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Rhea Steele, Blue Ocean Logic
This session will discuss the concept of e-mail marketing and how to apply the concepts of e-mail marketing to grow the influence and reach of your business. We will analyze different applications of e-mail marketing and select a campaign strategy to increase your reach.
All workshops are free and are located in City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Chicago. To register for a workshop call 312-744-2086 or e-mail BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org