The Dept. of Business Affairs and Consumer Protections (BACP) offers free business education workshops or webinars every Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning. Due to COVID-19, 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.
The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection’s
FREE business education workshops are now available as WEBINARS!
To register visit www.chicago.gov/businesseducation
Wednesday, 6/9 Webinar at 3:00 PM
Media Basics For Small Business
Presented By Lilia Chacon, Journalist
Lilia Chacon is a long-time TV Journalist and Communications expert. She’ll have tips for getting coverage for your small business or service. This 1 1/2 hour webinar will include advice on how to be ‘newsworthy,’ how to become the go-to person in your area of expertise, how to manage your image on Zoom meetings and interviews. Question and answer period during the last 1/2 hour to help you get the most from this session.
Thursday, 6/10 Webinar at 1:00 PM
Chicago’s New Online Portal for Shared Housing Registration
Presented by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
On June 1, 2021, Chicago launched a new online portal for Shared Housing Registration Applications. Join this webinar for an overview of the new portal and how to register as a Shared Housing Host.
Friday, 6/11 Webinar at 9:30 AM
Thinking About Launching A Storefront Business?
Presented by 37 Oaks Consulting
A storefront is a great way to grow sales, connect with customers and create winning brand experiences. But, if you are not prepared, then it can have negative impacts on your business. Join a panel of industry experts and small business owners that will share considerations, best practices, trends, top mistakes, advice and more.
Wednesday, 6/16 Webinar at 3:00 PM
Nuts and Bolts of Business Planning and Financial Readiness for Start-ups
Presented by Geri Aglipay, Small Business Majority
Learn nuts and bolts for starting a sustainable small business that is also better prepared to weather economic changes. Learn business planning from a financial readiness lens.
Friday, 6/18 Webinar at 9:30 AM
How to Open a Concession at O'Hare and Midway International Airports
Presented by the Chicago Department of Aviation - Concessions Department and Unison Retail Management
Are you interested in operating a restaurant or retail shop at O'Hare or Midway International Airport, but don't know where to begin? Come and learn about the Request for Proposals (RFP) process and how to operate a business at the airport. This workshop also provides an overview of the O'Hare, and Midway airport current Concessions programs; the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program; and the O'Hare 21 future expansion. Lastly, we will provide you with all the resources you will need to get started.
Wednesday, 6/23 Webinar at 3:00 PM
Marketing: What To Know, How to Start & What to Expect
Presented by Score Chicago
Learn about the fundamentals of marketing, why small business need marketing, how small business can start marketing and what results you can expect.
Thursday, 6/24 Webinar at 10:00 AM
Starting a Business in your Home
Presented by City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP)
For many entrepreneurs, the journey to open a business starts in your home. Starting Friday, June 25, new regulations come into effect in Chicago to make it easier to open a home-based business. Join this webinar for an overview of Chicago’s regulations for the Home-Occupation License.
Friday, 6/25 Webinar at 9:30 AM
Business Transformation Post-COVID
Presented By David Johnson, Abraxas Group LLC
Many small and midsized businesses have seen the key underlying assumptions of their business models nullified by the coronavirus pandemic. This webinar will focus on helping business owners and leaders execute a successful business transformation that will allow companies so impacted to chart a course back to profitability and growth.
Wednesday, 6/30 Webinar at 3:00 PM
Keys to Business Planning
Presented by Steve Bob, MBA; Director of the Entrepreneurial Support Program at UIC's College of Business
What are the key parts to a business plan? Today's presentation will cover 3 areas that every plan must address. Bankers, Investors, and potential business partners will want to feel confident that your business can undertake these areas.
Reminders and Resources:
Chicago Reopening Guidelines
The City of Chicago has developed industry-specific guidelines for safely operating within Bridge Phase. These guidelines are part of the city’s Be Safe Chicago framework that will be used to guide Chicago’s reopening process amid COVID-19. Please review the guidelines to keep your business in compliance.
Tips to Protect Chicago's Businesses
The City of Chicago is working diligently to ensure that our business community is prepared for the potential for events, large demonstrations, protest activity and civil unrest. You can view the proactive steps businesses can take to stay protected which include signing up for ChiBiz Emergency Alerts, joining Chicago's Public Private Partnership Initiative, and staying alert.
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 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.
Extension of Business Relief
As a reminder, last month the Chicago City Council passed a law to extend critical regulatory relief into 2021. The following measures are now in place:
Extension of License Expiration Dates: All licenses that expire between March 15, 2020 and June 15, 2021 will be considered active until July 15, 2021 and those businesses can operate during that time without renewing their license or paying a fee.
Extension of Sidewalk Café Permit Expiration Date and Extension of Reforms: All current Sidewalk Café Permits will be considered active through May 31, 2021 and businesses with a Sidewalk Café Permit can operate their current Sidewalk Cafes until that date without renewing. Additionally, all Sidewalk Café Permits issued for the 2021 season will benefit from the temporary reforms implemented in 2020: permit fee reduction of 75%, the ability to extend in front of neighboring property and an expedited permit issuance process.
Extension of Expanded Outdoor Dining Program: The Expanded Outdoor Dining Program, through which bars and restaurants can operate outside on private property or closed streets, has been extended to last through the end of 2021.
Business Education Resources:
To view upcoming webinars, visit www.chicago.gov/businesseducation
To view past webinars, visit www.YouTube.com/ChicagoBACP
Everyone 12 years of age and older living in Chicago is now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination! Chicagoans can look for vaccine appointments at zocdoc.com/vaccine or use the City's COVID-19 Vaccine Finder to identify additional vaccine providers. New appointments will be added frequently, and people are encouraged to check back. To learn about Chicago’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, visit www.chicago.gov/covidvax.
Business Education Resources:
To view upcoming webinars, visit www.chicago.gov/businesseducation
To view past webinars, visit www.YouTube.com/ChicagoBACP