Pilsen Small Business Workshops
Luiz Magana
Published: October 25, 2012
Local Pilsen businesses pose for a photo after completing a four week course through Saint Xavier University.
Photo by Luiz Magana
On Monday, twenty local Pilsen business owners graduated and received a certificate of completion from Saint Xavier University after participating in a four week small business workshop.
The Pilsen Community Small Business Owner Educational Workshop Series were established by Saint Xavier University in partnership with LISC Chicago, Greater Pilsen Economic Development Association and The Resurrection Project with the aim to help newly and already established Pilsen businesses grow and consolidate. As part of Greater Pilsen’s October small business month, local businesses attended weekly workshops that covered a range of topics such as how to write a business proposal, understanding business corporations and limited and liability companies, marketing and promotion, and loans and financing among other subjects. Businesses were given the opportunity during the workshops to meet with legal representatives from St. Aubin Haggerty and Associates, representatives Groupon and the City of Chicago; all of who helped with technical questions and support. Participants included local restaurants, salons, retail shops, artists and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Saint Xavier University designed the curriculum based on the needs of the local Pilsen businesses. Business owners were given templates and packets of information on all the topics and Best Buy provided laptops so that businesses could work directly on their various proposals. Both businesses and sponsors expressed their excitement with these workshops and see the opportunity to expand to other businesses in the Pilsen community.
This Pilsen Community Small Business Owner Educational Workshop Series was made possible with the support from the following: LISC Chicago, Saint Xavier University, The Resurrection Project, Greater Pilsen Economic Development Association, Best Buy, First Midwest Bank, St. Aubin Haggerty and Associates, Star Diamond, Groupon, and Center for Economic Progress.
Posted in Business, Local Businesses
