-
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
- Tom Otto, May 2, 2013
10,000 Small Businesses has assisted over 100 local businesses and are looking for more! The fifth cohort of business owners will begin their completely free courses and individual advising on May 3, with the next group beginning in late summer/early fall. The program is always looking for qualified business owners to apply, and will work with applicants at any time to determine if the program is right for them.
-
Can a restaurant transform a neighborhood?
- Reposted from Chicago Reader, Mar 20, 2013
Not long after Chet Jackson arrived in West Humboldt Park in 2011, he thought he'd found a way to get the drug dealers off the corners. He'd open a restaurant.
Jackson had just been hired away from Kansas City as the new executive director of the nonprofit West Humboldt Park Community Development Council, and he learned several things about his new neighborhood right away. "Although it's an urban community, it's very southern," he says. "There are a lot of people who've been here 30 or 40 years. They're people who've known each other forever and a day. I walk down the street and people say, 'Good morning!' It's the country in the city."
But it was also impossible to overlook what had gone wrong.
-
Business News from Chicago Dept of Business Affairs
- Reposted from City of Chicago Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, Jan 10, 2013
Sidewalk Cafe Season
Begins on March 1
Informational Workshop Set for Wednesday
The City of Chicago sidewalk café season begins March 1. Sidewalk Café Permits have a nine-month term and must be applied for and issued every year. Businesses with a valid Retail Food Establishment License may apply for a permit to serve food outside their restaurant on city sidewalks.
-
Free Business Training Program for Business Owners Planned for May 2013
- Tom Otto, Jan 4, 2013
Grow Your Business Training Program Planned for May 2013
As a business owner would you like to:
Learn to think more entrepreneurially?
Learn how to better manage your business?
Better understand how to utilize the internet and e-commerce?
Develop a business plan and strategically plan for the future?
The Grow Your Business training program will provide you with over 80 hours of instruction specifically designed to improve your bottom line. The goal of this training program is to dramatically increase your operating efficiency and take advantage of growth opportunities.
-
City of Chicago Business Affairs & Consumer Protection News
- Reposted from City of Chicago Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, Dec 12, 2012
BACP continues to offer free workshops every Wednesday and Friday at City Hall in Room 805. They are open to the public, and cover a variety of topics. If you are looking to start or grow your business, do not miss this great resource.
-
Take Advantage of Free City Business Workshops
- Tom Otto, Jul 12, 2012
Did you know that the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs offers a regular set of business workshops free of charge?
-
First Eagle Bank Makes Renovating Your Business Even Easier
- Tom Otto, Jul 11, 2012
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) program uses local Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues to help owners of commercial and industrial properties and/or tenants within specific TIF districts to repair or remodel their facilities. Program participants can receive reimbursement grants to cover 25%, 50%, or 75% of the cost of remodeling work, with a maximum grant amount of $150,000. The grant does not have to be repaid.
-
SBIF Success!
- Tom Otto, Jun 14, 2012
Chicago Avenue HVAC/Electical business uses SBIF grant to expand
There is one less vacant lot along Chicago Avenue in West Humboldt Park. The formally vacant City-owned lot at 3836 W Chicago Avenue has undergone a transformation.
Thermal Electric, Inc, a ten-year old HVAC and electrical company at 3838 W Chicago Ave, acquired the lot and expanded their operations. This stretch of Chicago Avenue has not seen much in the way of new construction recently. A new Chicago Avenue streetscape was completed in 2011 but few commercial property owners have invested in their properties. That is, until now…
-
Four Business Owners Receive New Dell Desktop Computers through Smart Communities Program
- Tom Otto, Mar 26, 2012
Four Humboldt Park business owners received a free Dell Optiplex desktop computer as an earned incentive for participating in the Smart Communities Program. The Smart Communities Business Resource Network works with business owners in Humboldt Park and helps them become more tech savvy to improve their business, reduce costs, and bring in more customers. The following businesses received the desktop computers:
-
Humboldt Park business workshops in March & April
- Tom Otto, Mar 14, 2012
The Smart Communities program works to increase digital access and use by families, businesses and other institutions in five moderate- and low-income Chicago neighborhoods including Humboldt Park. For businesses in Humboldt Park a Business Resource Network was created to assist businesses in adopting technology tools to improve their profitability.
-
Humboldt Park Portal - a Resource for Businesses, Residents, Non-Profits
- Tom Otto, Nov 1, 2011
The Humboldt Park Portal is a business, civic, arts and community website where residents and others can learn about the Humboldt Park neighborhood, plug into local resources and share the Humboldt Park experience. Created by a coalition of local nonprofits, community organizations and nonprofits, the Portal is one of many digital tools we are building to create a stronger community.
-
Smart Communities Program Builds Smart Businesses
- Tom Otto, Oct 31, 2011
The Smart Communities program works to increase digital access and use by families, businesses and other institutions in five moderate- and low-income Chicago neighborhoods including Humboldt Park.
-
Social Networking for Restaurants Workshop Sept 27
- Tom Otto, Sep 2, 2011
Restaurant Owners! Learn the latest tools and techniques to utilize social media (Twitter, FaceBook, Yelp, etc) to market your restaurant and bring in new customers.
-
Chicago Avenue Stakeholders Meeting a Success
- Tom Otto, Aug 15, 2011
Over 40 business owners and commercial property owners attended the Chicago Avenue Stakeholders Meeting Thursday, August 11 at Sanctuary Place.
-
Business workshops In Humboldt Park!
- Tom Otto, Jul 29, 2011
We have brought business workshops to Humboldt Park. These FREE business workshops will help you reduce your costs, bring in more customers, and increase your revenue. Check out the Workshop listing and reserve your spot today.
-
Technology resources for Business Owners!
- Tom Otto, Jun 21, 2011
Your success in business today depends on your ability stay current with technology. Business owners must be able to manage and implement effective technology solutions. New technologies give you a competitive market advantage that delivers bottom-line results.
-
64 FaceBook Content Tips for Business Owners
- SocialFreshAcademy.com, Jun 7, 2011
Check out this great e-book which provides 64 great FaceBook content tips for business owners.
-
June Business Workshops
- Tom Otto, May 31, 2011
Did you know that the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs offers a regular set of business workshops free of charge? Check out the following June Schedule for workshops that can help you with your business.
-
Business Owners: Get more customers and reduce costs using Free Technology Workshops.
- Tom Otto, May 20, 2011
Technology is changing the way we shop, the way we do business, the way we work, and the way the world works. I ran across a fascinating CNBC documentary on Google and technology called “Inside the Mind of Google”. Take a few minutes to look at this video.
-
2011 Eileen Fisher Business Grant Program for Women Entrepreneurs
- Tom Otto, Mar 28, 2011
2011 Eileen Fisher Business Grant Program for Women Entrepreneurs
Eileen Fisher Inc will award up to 5 grants of $12,500 to the winners of the 2011 Women's Entrepreneur Grant Program. Your business must be innovative, 100% women owned and produce products that foster environmental and economical health in the community.
-
Healthy Corner Stores on Chicago Avenue?
- Tom Otto, Mar 24, 2011
Healthy Corner Stores project moves forward!
Does the idea of corner stores along Chicago Avenue selling fresh produce, and healthy snacks such as yogurt, nuts, dried fruit and energy bars sound like wishful thinking? How about smoothies and fresh fruit juices? Are you tired of the poor food choices, a heavy emphasis on high-fat junk foods and poor store appearance and cleanliness? The Corner Stores Campaign is a neighborhood and community based effort to engage with store owners and through persuasion and incentives help stores offer healthier foods in a healthier environment.
-
March Business Workshops
- Tom Otto, Feb 28, 2011
Did you know that the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs offers a regular set of business workshops free of charge?
-
Humboldt Park Businesses Can Take Advantage of Free & Low-cost Technology Assistance
- Tom Otto, Dec 20, 2010
Connecting your business with tools to increase your profits. Does your business need a "technology check-up"? Confused about hardware & software options? Do you want a website but unsure where to start? If you are busy running your business we can help you get the technology tools your business needs to be more efficient and profitable.
-
Technology Resources for Business
- Tom Otto, Dec 16, 2010
Your success in business today depends on your ability stay current with technology. You must be able to manage and implement effective technology solutions. New technologies give you a competitive market advantage that delivers bottom-line results.
-
November Business Workshops
- Tom Otto, Nov 1, 2010
Did you know that the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs offers a regular set of business workshops free of charge?