BACP Business Education Webinars

The Dept. of Business Affairs and Consumer Protections (BACP) offers free business education workshops or webinars every Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning. All programs are currently being offered as webinars. Topics include business licensing, operations, financial resources, marketing, and more. Programs are free and open to the public and taught by industry professionals, not-for-profit agencies, and government agencies.

To register visit www.chicago.gov/businesseducation

Getting Started with SEO: A Practical Guide for Chicago Small Business Owners

Certificate Categories Technology Marketing Business Operations & Licensing

July 9th 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Presented by Edwin Romero, Independent SEO Consultant and Chicago Small Business Advocate Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is one of the most cost-effective ways to attract new customers, but it’s often misunderstood or overlooked by small business owners. In this introductory webinar, we’ll break down what SEO is, why it matters for local Chicago businesses, and how it can support long-term growth online. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how search engines work, which basic SEO practices are worth focusing on, and how to take the first steps toward building a stronger online presence.

Register

What Business Owners Need to Know Before Applying for WBE Certification

Certificate Categories

Business Operations & Licensing Finance Legal

July 11th 9:30 am to 11:00 am

Presented by the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC)

This one-hour workshop is for those who are interested in learning more about WBENC’s Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certification. We will cover the types of certification, differences between local and national certifications, and documents required for the WBE application. Presented by Karen Goldner, Managing Director of Established Business Services at WBDC.

Register

Business Education Resources:

• To view upcoming webinars, visit www.chicago.gov/businesseducation

• To view past webinars, visit www.YouTube.com/ChicagoBACP

Neighborhood Business Development Centers

Chicago-based chambers of commerce and business support organizations, often referred to as Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC), assist in the development of small businesses in Chicago, serve as liaison between local businesses and the City of Chicago, and provide neighborhood business development services. They have a strong neighborhood network and coordinate efforts with local aldermen, the city, and other community partners. They can help start-up entrepreneurs and existing business owners. Find your local NBDC by visiting chicago.gov/NBDC.