Chicago Community Ventures Blog

2009 Recovery Act - Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses

Since February, we have been following the progress of the 2009 Recovery Act closely to see what opportunities are available for small businesses.  One of the more recent memos to come was a Q&A fact sheet on Recovery Act Contracting Opportunities.  Questions covered included:

• Is there an opportunity for small businesses to get contracts under the Recovery Act?
• How do small businesses learn about contracting opportunities at the state and local level under the Recovery Act?
• Is there a central location where federal contracting opportunities and requests for proposals are located?
• Does the SBA offer other tools and services for small businesses seeking federal contracting opportunities?

The answers to these questions can be found here on the full Recover Act Contracting Opportunities Q&A memo: Download Contracting Opportunities Recovery Act 2009 04 09

If you haven't been to the Small Business Administration's website, we recommend you check out some of the useful resources and reports.  A few of particular interest:

• 2009 Recovery Act Briefing - One in a series of online briefings and courses to help small businesses prosper in a slowing economy
• SBA Recovery Information Center - Includes SBA Press Releases, Policy Notices and Fact Sheets

Illinois Entrepreneurship Network Connection

Workshops of interest from the IEN Weekly Connection

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Green Business Strategies - Free Workshops at Kendall College
How can you better market and serve customers electronically?  How can you shift your services to online delivery?  What are some earth-friendly workforce strategies?  How can you take a more environmental approach to materials and workplace design?  We will consider these questions in sessions led by key subject matter experts.  Join us for one session or for all four.

Attend any or all of these FREE workshops offered to businesses and members of the public.  Learn more and register today by emailing Michelle Coussens, Dean, School of Business at: mcoussens@kendall.edu.  Registration is required and reservations are limited.  A light lunch will be provided.

• Saturday, May 2 - How to Market and Serve Virtually with Less Footprint and More Heart
  • Time: 10:45am - 12:15pm
  • Presenter: Gail Sussman, Owner, Inspired Choice

• Monday, May 4 - Banking on a Greener Future...Why Sustainability Has Bankers Seeing Green
  • Time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm
  • Presenter: Jon A. Levey, LEED AP, Co-Founder & Chief Lending Officer, GreenChoice Bank

• Monday, May 18 - The Emerald Office:  Eco-Friendly Workforce Strategies
  • Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
  • Presenter: Kyra Cavanaugh, President, Life Meets Work

• Saturday, May 30 - LEED the Way to a Greener Business Environment Today!
  • Time:10:45am - 12:15pm
  • Presenter: Michael Pula, Senior Analyst Relations Manager, Panduit Corporation

All Workshops are free to the public with pre-registration and will be held at Kendall College (near the intersection of Halsted and Chicago).  Room location is provided upon registration confirmation.  Parking is free in our Events Parking Lot.

Kendall College
900 N. North Branch
Chicago, Illinois  60642

Business and Industry Conference - In Elgin on May 7th
This conference is designed for those companies who have decided "not to participate" in the current recession and are focused on growing and expanding their businesses.  The information provided will include resources and strategies to help firms reach their goals, despite the challenges facing our economy.  It will be held at Elgin Community College on Thursday, May 7th from 7:00am - 1:30pm.  Some of the topics presented include a bankers forum where a panel of bankers will discuss current credit markets and how to solidify financial relationships.  The DCEO will present incentive opportunities for energy efficiency.  Workforce and human resources issues will be discussed, including the Department of Immigration discussing E-verify and their other programs for business.

To learn more about this conference, the topics that will be presented and how to register, please visit their website at: www.elgin.edu/corporatetraining.

Duman Microenterprise Center - May Workshops

This event is being hosted by Illinois Small Business Development Center / Duman Microenterprise Center.  Please direct all inquiries to Pam Lipton at JVS.
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Illinois SBDC / Duman Microenterprise Center
MAY BUSINESS WORKSHOPS

MAY 11, 2009
Fifteen Powerful Profit Boosters
Learn 15 easy ways to boost your business' bottom line and no nonsense tips to improve profitability and grow a business.  Techniques are generally low-cost easy to implement, and are often the difference between having a thriving or struggling business.

Workshop: 9:30a - 11:30a
Individual Counseling (sign-up required): 11:45a - 2:00p
Location: Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St, Skokie

MAY 11, 2009
Marketing Principles 101
A basic marketing guide for small business owners Ideally suited for the small business novice who wants to understand how following sound marketing principles can enhance and grow your business.

Workshop: 3:00p - 5:00p
Location: Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove

*To Register Call: 847-929-5101 or contact the References Services Desk

MAY 13, 2009
Starting a Business in Illinois
Learn what some of the regulations, requirements and aspects of operating a business are before you start a business.

Workshop: 9:30a - 11:30a
Location: Chicago Urban League, 4510 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago

MAY 19, 2009
Starting a Small Business In Illinois
Learn what some of the regulations, requirements and aspects of operating a business are before you start a business.

Workshop: 2:00p - 4:00p
Location: Quad Communities Corporation, 4659 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago

MAY 20, 2009
Entrepreneurship and Business Assessment
Are you the type of person who can succeed in a small business? Do you have the entrepreneurial spirit? Evaluate your business ideas and find out what you need to know before you can open a business.

Workshop: 9:30a - 11:30a
Location: King Community Service Center, 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago

MAY 27, 2009
Starting A Business In Illinois
Learn what some of the regulations, requirements and aspects of operating a business are before you start a business.

Workshop: 9:30a - 11:30a
Location: JVS, 216 W. Jackson Blvd. #700, Chicago

To reserve your space please contact

312-773-3429 or pamlipton@jvschicago.org

Sustain Illinois Finalists Announced!

We are pleased to announce that finalists have been selected for Sustain Illinois, the highly selective entrepreneurial competition where sustainable companies have the opportunity to compete for a combined $22,500 cash prize.  Six finalists were selected in each of the following two tracks: Innovative Sustainable High Growth Product/Service Category and Innovative Environmental/Social Enterprise (process of people/planet and profits) Category.

Congratulations to the finalists below:

 

Innovative Sustainable High Growth Product/Service Category

BioVantage Fuels
BioVantage Fuels LLC (BioVantage) produces biodiesel from used restaurant cooking oils.  Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that contains no petroleum, but it can be blended with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend.  It can be used in diesel engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.  We re-purpose the waste used cooking oils from restaurants to produce biodiesel, a clean-burning renewable fuel.  We believe this is an excellent example of adhering to the triple bottom line (3BL) of sustainability: people, profit and planet. 

 

Carbon Solutions Group

Carbon Solutions Group is an environmental consulting firm specializing in renewable energy and greenhouse gas mitigation. CSG works with corporations, institutions, municipalities, architects and non-profits throughout the world. CSG promotes education towards environmental stewardship goals with definition, management, mitigation and offsetting strategies. CSG's assets are from "new" renewable generation facilities or carbon reduction projects in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Earth Paint Collections
Our goal is simple: To keep latex paint, and its containers, out of our waste stream. Earth Paint Collection Systems is a company devoted to helping the environment through responsible disposal of latex paint. We have developed a system of collecting and consolidating post-consumer latex paint that allows it to be recycled into new consumer products.

ePower Synergies, Inc

ePower Synergies, Inc., is a developer and marketer of advanced electric vehicles (EV). We design, build, market, sell and service a variety of EVs including The RIDE™ personal transporter (PT), which is our exciting new leadoff product.

Irv & Shelly’s Fresh Picks

Irv & Shelly's Fresh Picks offers year-round home delivery in the Chicago area of local and organic produce, meat, dairy, eggs, baked goods and more! We are partnering with sustainable farmers in the region to grow the supply of local food in a way that protects our health and the environment.

Safety Power Inc

Specializing in Electrical Conservation, Safety Power sells and installs Energy Controllers for homes and businesses. An Energy Controller provides entire building power conservation, power filtering and amperage surge protection.

Innovative Environmental/Social Enterprise (process of people/planet and profits) Category

Allyu Spa
Allyu Spa is a full service day spa located in Rivernorth Chicago. Allyu is a Quechua word that means community. As a locally based and sustainably run business, we are dedicated to serving our community with services that reflect a passion for holistic wellness. By empowering our clients with knowledge about earth-friendly practices, we create healthier, more responsible citizens of this beautiful planet.

Chapter One Organics
Chapter One Organics makes 100% premium organic cotton baby and toddler clothes in the US. We support socially and environmentally responsible manufacturing practices. Our organic baby clothes are made in the US by an organization that is helping women facing significant barriers to employment. Our organic baby clothing is modern, fun and luxuriously soft.

City Provisions
City Provisions is a catering company that focuses on local, sustainable and organic foods, with a heavy focus on sustainable practices—including, but not limited to: compostable disposables, a strict recycling program, and a creative organic “composting” program (our organic waste is preserved and given to our farmers to use as feed for their livestock). All this is coupled with unparalleled service.

Gourmet Gorilla
Gourmet Gorilla, Inc. is a local & organic foodservice provider that starts at the beginning.   We specialize in providing healthy breakfasts, lunches and snacks in pre-school and elementary school settings. Our mission is to build a sustainable future for our children and community by providing local and organic school lunches and healthier eating options. We are committed to working with community partners to provide solid nutrition for children in order to help them learn and grow. Building alliances between local farms, urban agriculturalists, dieticians, nutritionists, talented chefs, and organic food manufacturers, we are able to provide quality ingredients as well as connect to educational resources on healthy food curriculum, the value of organic foods, garden projects, and ecological awareness.  

Green Bag Lunch
Green Bag Lunch caters healthy, eco-friendly lunches to kids at schools and camps. Green Bag Lunch (GBL) provides a unique convenience to families and schools, allowing them a new and better alternative to the traditional cafeteria lunch and the hassle of packing a lunch from home. With Green Bag Lunch, interested parents at participating schools and camps simply order online and their child’s lunch gets delivered directly to the lunchroom. We package our all-natural and organic foods in recycled and biodegradable plant-based materials. Green Bag Lunch capitalizes on two major market trends: concern toward child health/wellness and concern toward the environment. Green Bag Lunch has served more than 35,000 lunches and snacks to 2500 children in the city of Chicago and its suburbs.

INEEKA
INEEKA is an innovative environmentally and socially responsible producer of 100% Organic & Biodynamic whole leaf teas and herbs, grown within our family farms in the Himalayas and partner communities worldwide. The founder’s family’s 15 tea estates, which are certified Organic and Biodynamic as per International standards, are spread on 15,000 acres at the foothills of the Himalayas in India and are home to 25,000 people. Ineeka is the only completely vertically integrated tea brand in North America that has the advantage of growing its teas on our family farms, packaging its products at its own Chicago facility, and providing the consumer a premium product at a fraction of the cost.

Finalists for the Fast Pitch will be announced April 30th. 

The Importance of Access to Capital for MBEs

A recent article from Entrepreneur.com highlights the disparity between white and black owned businesses, discussing what drives this gap and what is being done to resolve this problem.

In general, the article sums up that the lack of access to capital is the primary reason driving the lack of minority entrepreneurs.  The article cites that “the culprit…is a low level of personal wealth, which translates into limited access to startup capital, and ultimately puts a stopper on the accumulation and transfer of riches to the next generation.”

Recognizing that this disparity in business ownership exists, one of CCV’s focus areas is assisting minority-owned enterprises (MBE).  In 2008 alone, 70% of the clients CCV served were minority-owned businesses.  Our counselors have unlocked millions of dollars of capital to not only assist start-up businesses, but also to ensure that existing minority-owned enterprises remain open.

The article also calls out that one of the most important reasons to support and grow MBEs is the fact that many of these businesses are integral to the development of underserved urban – mostly minority – communities.  Investing in a MBE, is investing in the community.

CCV is also expanding its services to focus more on community-based initiatives. In addition to assisting businesses on a one-off basis, CCV is providing financial and consulting services to a community of businesses.  The goal is to get the business owners in the community to work together and leverage one another’s resources to strengthen the business corridor as a whole.  You can read more about the project and how it has progressed in past CCV newsletters.

Although the percentage of MBEs is still disproportionately low, we here at CCV see encouraging signs of growth and energy that will continue to stimulate innovation.  As the Entrepreneur.com article points out, quoting Thomas Boston of EuQuant, “’The minority business sector is becoming a larger and larger market, and if the country is to continue to grow and be competitive, we have to make sure that this sector grows and is competitive as well.’”

Read the full article from Entreprenuer.com here.