City Announces Free Small Business Education Workshop Schedule for October

The City of Chicago is hosting free business education workshops throughout October. The workshops are held every Wednesday and Friday at the BACP City Hall Office, 121 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, in Room 805.

City departments will present “Talk to City Inspectors, Ask Questions, Get Answers,” “How to Obtain a Mobile Food Dispenser/Preparer License,” and “How to Become Certified/How to Become Certified.”

Apart from City of Chicago, experts will present “Office Space Options for Your New or Growing Business,” “C Corp, S Corp, LLC - Which is Right for My Business?,” What You Need to Know About Business Insurance,” “QuickBooks Best Practices: Managing Your Business,” and “Understanding the 8(a) Certification Program.”

To register for a workshop or for more information, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call (312) 744-2086. Workshops are conducted by city officials, BACP’s partner organizations, and experts in the industry. Workshops are located at the BACP City Hall Office, 121 N. LaSalle St., Chicago in Room 805. Learn more about BACP programs and events by visiting www.cityofchicago.org/bacp.

October Business Workshop Calendar

October 2013 Business Education Workshop Calendar

10/2      Talk to City Inspectors, Ask Questions, Get Answers           
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Presented by the City of Chicago

To operate a successful business in Chicago you must know the requirements. At this workshop you can talk to four inspectors from City departments who will point out the do’s and don’ts of operating your business, and provide insight on how to operate safely, stay compliant, and prepare for inspections. Don’t miss this workshop!

10/9      Office Space Options for Your New or Growing Business
3:00 to 4:30 p.m. 
Presented by Roger Koeppen, Chicago Tenant Advisors

In this workshop you will be introduced to the various office space options available for your business — virtual, co-working, executive office space, traditional lease and condo or ownership. Attendees will learn about getting started on a virtual program with a small budget, getting market experts to help provide realistic budget figures as your business grows, and renting long-term business space. It also will cover the process for finding space, capital required, nuances pertaining to lease documents.

10/11    C Corp, S Corp, LLC - Which is Right for My Business?
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented By Law Project

Many entrepreneurs operate on a shoestring budget and obtaining legal advice is often unaffordable. To help, this workshop will discuss the legal aspects of starting a small business with a focus on choosing the correct corporate entity.

10/16    What You Need to Know About Business Insurance
3:00 to 4:30 p.m. 
Presented by Sandra Cavoto, Farmers Insurance          

Starting a new business can be difficult, and being covered by insurance when the unexpected happens is essential to being successful. There is enough to worry about with the business, and it is the insurance company's responsibility to worry about your liability, losses, worker's compensation, and more. This workshop is designed to show you the ins and outs of commercial insurance, and everything that is included to help you understand what you need for your business.

10/18    QuickBooks Best Practices: Managing Your Business
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by the Maribel Del Real, Del Real Tax Group

Not the quickest with Quickbooks? Pick up the pace by attending this workshop and learn how this accounting software can help build your business. Maribel Del Real, a certified QuickBooks Pro advisor, will teach you tricks and show you how to maximize your sales efforts through proper bookkeeping. You’ll be a small business accounting whiz in no time.

10/23    How to Obtain a Mobile Food Dispenser/Preparer License
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection 

Are you interested in operating a food truck in the City of Chicago? Then come and learn how you may obtain a Mobile Food Dispenser (MFD) or Mobile Food Preparer (MFP) business license. We will be discussing the MFD/MFP licensing process including inspections, the application, mobile food vehicle, and operational requirements, as well as the optional pre-application Mobile Food Vehicle Assessment.

10/25    Understanding the 8(a) Certification Program
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by the Illinois District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration

This workshop will provide information on SBA’s 8(a) certification program and which businesses are qualified to become 8(a). Learn what eligibility requirements are and how to apply. A brief overview of SBA’s Hub Zone certification program will be provided as well. Additional information on other services provided by the SBA will be covered if time permits.

10/30    How to Become Certified
2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services (DPS)

This workshop will provide information on which businesses are qualified to become certified as a Minority/Woman Owned Business Enterprise. Learn what documents are required, where to go for help, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.

Doing Business with the City of Chicago
3:15 to 4:30 p.m.

This information is designed to outline the role and responsibility of the Department of Procurement Services, and how the City's purchasing process works. This workshop is ideal for companies looking to do business with the City of Chicago.