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Grow Your Business: A WBDC Service Guide
8 S. Michigan Ave, 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
312.853.3477
www.WBDC.org
The mission of the Women’s Business Development Center is to provide services and programs that support and accelerate
women’s business ownership and strengthen their impact on the economy.
WBDC Mission Statement
Why is the WBDC here?
WBDC helps to address issues facing women business owners:
• Access to markets
• Access to capital
• Access to information & resources
• Advocacy to affect change
• Building skills of business ownership
WBDC Programs & Services
• Start-up Business Program
• Established Business Program
• Workshops, Webinars, Networking Events
• Group & Individualized Business Counseling
• Access to Markets Through Contract Opportunity Initiatives
• Access to Capital Program
• Spanish Language Programs in Community
• Child Care Business Program
• Women Vetrepreneurship Program
Sounds great, but how do I best use the WBDC?
How to Best Use WBDC
Review our website: www.WBDC.org
Spend time thinking about what you know already about your business:
–Purpose and Vision
–Product/Service
–Client/Industry
–Money
Business Start-up
What’s the purpose of your business?
Build on this statement:
– We provide (services/product) for (target) through (what you do)
– Why do you do this, as a business?
Attend Starting a Business in Illinois to help you determine if being on your own is right for you.
Upcoming Events For Start-ups
Webinar, 2/19: Creative Options to Finance Your Business
Chicago, Jumpstart Series Wed, 6:00-9:00
2/20 Module1: Starting a Business in Illinois
2/27 Module2: Identifying the Market Viability of Your Business
3/6 Module3: Reaching your Market Strategically
3/13 Module4: Financial Smarts for Business Starts
3/20 Module5: Financial Analysis with the Expert
3/27 Module6: Guiding Your Success Through Building a Business Plan
Your Business Advisors
For start-ups
Meg Herman
Director of Entrepreneurial Services
How do you want your
business to serve you?
• Hobby?
• Lifestyle?
• Growth?
Explore strategic direction through business coaching with WBDC Counselors.
What to expect in your coaching sessions
• What do you want to focus on today?
• Bring a list of questions/issues
• At the end, commit to relevant next steps
• Schedule your next session
• Evaluate what you learned
How do I find clients? Learn how to do your homework!!
How do you identify the best fit clients?
Where do their eyes go?
How do you reach them?
Jumpstart module 2 and 3: Identifying Your Market Viability and Reaching Your Market Strategically
Access to Markets
Corporations
Meet the Buyer
Meetings
Annual Women’s
Business & Buyers Mart
Online matching
Public
Agencies
WBE
Certification
Certification for Women’s Business Enterprises (WBE)
National certification in partnership with the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
Certification program covers 9 state Midwestern region: IL, IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI
One year certification which must be renewed annually.
If your target market is corporations, or the prime contractors, or “tier II” contractors, then this is for you! WBE certification through the WBDC is accepted by over 1,000 corporations and a number of federal, state and local government agencies.
Certification for Women’s Business Enterprises (WBE): Why Bother?
WBE Certification Requirements
The business applying for WBE Certification must be at least 51% owned by a woman or women
Female owner(s) must be able to provide proof of contribution of capital and/or expertise
Female owner(s) must provide proof of management of the business
US Citizenship or US Resident Alien Status
Learn more at www.WBDC.org under WBE Certification -> Criteria
Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
Helps you
• Explore various certifications
• Access automatic bid matching services
• Get certified as a WOSB
• Locate contracting information
• Review of bid package prior to submittal
Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference
• 27th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference and Women’s Business & Buyers Mart
• September 26, 2013 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. • Over 200 public and private sector entities looking to
buy goods and services from women business owners
• Highlights from 2012 conference on website www.WBDC.org/Events/EntrepreneurialWomansCon
ference.aspx
WBENC National Conference
• June 25-27, 2013
• Minneapolis, MN
• Meet other WBEs for teaming for contracts
Established Business Advisors
Freida Curry
PTAC Director
Cynthia Johnson
Director of Established
Business Services and
SBDC
Upcoming Events
For Established Businesses:
Webinar, 2/20: Established Business Insights: Best Practices for WBE Suppliers
Webinar, 3/5: Teaming to Win Government Contracts
Webinar, 3/20: Established Business Insights: How to Respond to a Corporate RFP
Chicago Workshops:
2/28: How to Do Business with the U.S. Department of Defense
3/12: Connection Points: Networking with Construction Businesses, Architects, Interior Designers and Realtors
The Reach
• How do people get to your website?
• How targeted is your networking?
Jumpstart module 2 and 3: Identifying Your Market Viability and Reaching Your Market Strategically
Branding Through Social Media
Free Webinar Series
4/23: Driving Traffic to Your Business with Blogging
5/7: Navigating How-to’s for Online PR
5/21: Building a Community for Your Business on Facebook
Previous 5 part series on YouTube at www.youtube.com/wbdc1.
To learn more and register for any of these events: www.WBDC.org/events
Show me da $$!
• Do you know where your money goes?
• How do you project cash flow and sales?
• How do you finance your business start-up or expansion?
Jumpstart modules 4 & 5: Financial Smarts for Business Starts and Financial Analysis with the Expert
Access to Capital Program
Training
• Pre and post business plan development
Counseling
• Post business plan development
Access to capital through
• Loan packaging
• Review of business plans/investor presentations
• Linking to resources
• Direct lending to qualified Chicago businesses
Micro Finance Program
• Direct lending to qualified Chicago businesses
• Micro loans up to $25,000 available for start-up and established businesses
• Learn more at upcoming outreach events:
2/6, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Urban Partnership Bank, 7801 S. State St, Chicago, IL 2/12, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 North Central Park Ave, Jensen Room, Chicago, IL 2/12, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The Connection, 4321 S. Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL
Your Financial Advisors
When you have a clearly developed business plan:
Eva Brown
Director of Access
to Capital Program
Janice Lopez
Associate Director of
Latina Programs and
Child Care Business
Program
Business Plan Help
If you don’t know how to build one:
1. Take the Jumpstart Module on it! 3/4 or 3/27
2. Participate in a Business Plan Writing Clinic if you already have a draft. (April-May)
3. Send it ahead of your 1:1 session for your counselor to review.
Here’s more…
• Professional Resources Referrals
• Newsletters
– The Insider: Procurement/Contract Opps
– Calendar of Events Monthly
– About Women’s Business (AWB) Quarterly
• Networks
• Conferences
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program
• Six month training program for established businesses, free, 12 sessions, every other Friday
• Requirements
– 2 years in business
– 150,000+ in revenues annually
– 4 employees/contractors, including owner
– deadlines for applications on website, 15th of each month
Looking for a mentor or to give back through mentoring?
Once you are in business….
• Learn more about our affiliate program that brings you availability of over 3,000 mentors
• Its free, confidential and you choose who you communicate with.
• Sign up to enrich your business today!
Registration
Workshops: Low cost/free. Visit www.WBDC.org/Events/UpcomingWorkshopsEvents.aspx
Individual and Group Counseling: Free.
Call 312.853.3477 x 0 to schedule an appointment.
8 South Michigan Ave., 4th Floor Chicago, IL 60603 www.WBDC.org
312.853.3477 Facebook.com/WBDC.chicago WBDCchicago.wordpress.com
Twitter: @WBDC