No Cost Advisory Appointments
1 hour
Cheri can help you with digital (email, social media, content) and traditional marketing, viability and commercialization analysis, budgeting, forecasting, pricing, packaging and developing a marketing plan. Cheri will assess your current marketing needs and review your branding/positioning. Cheri provides general guidance and assistance for startups and established businesses. Start up friendly.
1 hour
"BIG" Grant Information as well as general guidance and assistance for startups and established businesses. Do you need help planning your new business, understanding distribution channels, structuring your sales team, or navigating the sales process? Dennis offers startups and small businesses practical advice to help you maximize sales, grow market share, and increase revenue. Dennis is "start up" friendly.
1 hour
Marge Johnsson is a high-growth business planning and revenue forecasting specialist, but also an accounting expert, who can help you with QuickBooks, business plan review, projections and financial statements. She brings 30 years of experience helping businesses of all sizes introduce new products, find new sales channels, enter new markets, and complete acquisitions. Marge is start up friendly.
1 hour
"BIG" Grant info as well as general guidance and assistance. For clients needing expert help with a restaurant, bar or food service business. Kevin McVearry specializes in the restaurant and hospitality industry at all levels of operations from start-up concepts to existing businesses. He has spent 25 years opening and operating restaurants, bars, and events across the country. Kevin has extensive knowledge in new venues, including design, construction, budgeting, menu development. Startup friendl
1 hour
Book an appointment with Jennie Johns if you need assistance with ecommerce platforms, website, email service, and/or other technology issues. Jennie specializes in web functionality, usability and customer experience. She can assist with your technical questions re: website creation, deployment, and ongoing maintenance. Jennie has over 20 years experience in developing websites. Available for Zoom or Phone appointments (choose below).
30 minutes
General guidance and assistance for startups and established businesses. Available for Zoom or Phone appointments (choose below).
No Cost Legal and IP Consultation
30 minutes
Brie A. Crawford focuses on intellectual property and entertainment law, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets both domestically and abroad. She can counsel clients as to whether IP protection is appropriate, and if so, what kind and how to secure the appropriate protection. Brie also focuses on drafting IP-related agreements. She is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
30 minutes
Founded in 1989, Lavelle Law Ltd. is one of the most respected law firms in the Chicago area. Their expertise includes business and entrepreneurial law, estate planning, divorce and family law, criminal defense, commercial and residential real estate law, banking and securities law, law practice management, bankruptcy and more. The firm generously donates time to clients of the ISBDC.
Webinars
1 hour
No Cost Apr 22nd, 12-1pm
Livestreaming increased by 50% during the pandemic! Never has online attention been this high. Its an incredible time to introduce livestreaming into your social media marketing strategy. Facebook LIVE is all about interacting with your audience in REAL TIME. It breaks down barriers & creates a connection transcending traditional marketing limitations. You will be introduced to the world of Facebook LIVE & different ways your business can benefit from this powerful feature.
1 hour
No Cost. 4/28, 9:30-10:30am CST
This bi-weekly virtual meet up of Restaurant, Bar & Culinary Professionals will be a collaborative space for sharing successes & struggles as we navigate these uncertain times. Hosted by industry professionals/SBDC Business Advisors Kevin McVearry & Cheri Kretsinger who will be on hand to help answer questions & issues operators are facing. We will commit to finding answers/solutions and following up (if necessary). Bring a cup of coffee & chat.
1 hour
No Cost. Apr 28th, 12-1:00pm CST
Are you looking to start a business or are a new business owner, entrepreneur, or inventor? Join the business advisors at Harper's Illinois SBDC for an open forum where they'll be answering your questions about the nuts and bolts of owning, operating, and growing your own small business. Bring your questions, meet new friends, and add to the discussion. Meeting will take place on Zoom. All welcome.
1 hour 30 minutes
No Cost. Apr 29th, 9:30-11:00am
Just having a website is not enough. Your website needs to convert visitor traffic into customers. We’ll discuss keyword selection & implementation along with measurement. We'll discuss how to track & analyze how well your website & social media tools are working. Joe Skibbie will connect the dots between what you know, what you’ve heard & what is best practice on tools like Google My Business, Facebook and LinkedIn.
