Illinois Small Business Development Center at Harper College

Tony has been giving great business advice to hundreds of entrepreneurs and small business owners for 25 years. His experience includes a broad range of industries, including: real estate, wholesale distributors, trucking companies, retailers, contractors, education, chemical companies, contract manufacturers, farming, and business services.

Schedule a phone call with Tony Baldassano.

Tom Cassell has provided one-on-one business advising to over 1,000 small businesses across different industries and issues. Tom specializes in operations, profitability, strategy, SBA lending (7a, 504), and buy/sell. Startup friendly.

Business Coaching from a Sales Perspective! Every decision you make in business can have a profound effect on your ability to sell your product or service! I can show you how each decision you make can affect your sales efforts. After all, if you can't sell your product or service, what is your business worth? Dennis is "start up" friendly.

Cheri can help with digital (email, social media, content) and traditional marketing, viability and commercialization analysis, budgeting, forecasting, P&L management, pricing, packaging and developing a marketing plan. Cheri will assess your current needs through a SWOT analysis, and review of your current branding and positioning. She specializes in consumer products, especially food.

Please note, this session will be conducted over the phone so that we can offer you additional times to fit your schedule. Cheri can help with digital (email, social media, content) and traditional marketing, viability and commercialization analysis, budgeting, forecasting, P&L management, pricing, packaging and developing a marketing plan. Cheri will assess your current needs through a SWOT analysis, and review your branding/positioning.

Book an appointment with Jennie Johns if you need assistance with your website, email service, and/or other technology issues. Jennie specializes in web functionality, usability and customer experience. She can assist with your technical questions regarding website creation, deployment, and ongoing maintenance. Jennie has over 20 years experience in developing websites along with 8 years teaching website usability, programming, and Microsoft Office applications.

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, promotions, and customer acquisition and retention. Startup friendly.

For Elgin and surrounding area. Kevin McVearry has been an SBDC advisor since 2012. He helps both startup and established businesses in any industry. Kevin also specializes in the restaurant and hospitality industry at all levels of operations. He has spent 25 years opening and operating restaurants, bars, and events across the country. Startup friendly.

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.

Get tax, incorporation/business entity advice, QuickBooks help, and more with Margaret Borla, CPA with PorteBrown. 30 Minute appointments. Margaret and PorteBrown,LLC generously donate time to clients of Harper's ISBDC.

Attention entrepreneurs, inventors and small business owners! Do you need the space, equipment and tools to develop a design idea, prototype or product? This fall, Harper College is launching a DYI prototyping lab and maker space. Training will be provided to use the equipment independently. Equipment will include 3-D printers, laser cutters, 3-D scanners, CNC, electronics wiring stations and more. More info coming soon.

Do you have the personal characteristics, the financial fitness and the business readiness skills to own a business? Find out if entrepreneurship is right for you. Learn about the critical steps to opening your own business including viability, business formation, financing, and more. Class is offered every month.

ON-LINE WEBINAR ONLY. You know your prospects are on LinkedIn, and you've heard the success stories, but how do YOU reap the benefits of LinkedIn to get more leads, more business, and more referrals? In this seminar you will learn: How to create a LinkedIn profile that attracts quality prospects, How to surround yourself with ideal prospects, How to build your online reputation as the "GO-TO" person in your field, How to combine it all with an email marketing plan. Free. Wednesday, July 17, 11-12

THIS IS AN ON-LINE WEBINAR ONLY. In this LIVE online training you'll learn: Why you should be on Instagram, Business Profile vs a Personal Profile, Why #Hashtags #Matter, How to Optimize your profile to make a great first impression, Instagram stories, what are they?, How to grow your email list using Instagram, and more. Free. Wednesday, August 21. 11am-12:30pm.