Chicago Community Ventures Blog

CCV presents: Financial Empowerment Training Program

How do I increase sales?

Am I pricing too low or too high?

Where can I find money to buy equipment?

Why was I denied for that bank loan?

 ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Financial Empowerment Training Program (FETP) is designed to help small business owners address these questions. The program:

• gives small business owners a better understanding of their finances and financial position
• helps apply this understanding to their businesses through workshops and counseling

PROGRAM CONTENT
Workshops (Financials 101 and Preparing for Investment)
Counseling to help you apply what you learned to your business
FETP Graduation Exam

Graduation Exam
We encourage all participants to take the graduation exam at the end to assess and reinforce what they have learned in the workshops. All who pass will be invited to a graduation ceremony, and selected graduates will have the opportunity to pitch their business concept to a group of angel investors at the Asian American Business Expo on August 13.

DATES & REGISTRATION
Space is limited, pre-registration is required, so RSVP today! Click on the events below to register. All events are free of charge, thanks to the generous support of Citi Foundation.

LOOP
Thursday, May 19            Business Capital/Preparing for Investment workshop
9 AM to 12 PM                 (hosted with JVS)
                                         Venue: Citicorp                      

Tuesday, May 24             Financials 101 workshop
6 to 8 PM                         Venue: CCV in the Loop

 

BRONZEVILLE
Tuesday, June 7              Financials 101 workshop
6 to 8 PM                         Venue: Bronzeville Coffee & Tea

Thursday, June 9             Preparing for Investment workshop
6 to 8 PM                         Venue: Bronzeville Coffee & Tea                        

 

GARFIELD PARK
Tuesday, June 21            Financials 101, Preparing for Investment workshops
10 AM to 2 PM                Venue: Garfield Park Conservatory       

 

If you have questions about FETP, contact us at cfreemon@chiventures.org or at (312)960-0320.

This program is made possible through the generous support of Citi Foundation.

 

Procurement Conference - March 10th

Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce Presents

“Project Awareness 2011”
16th Annual Procurement Conference
 

US Cellular Field

Thursday, March 10, 2011 - 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Registration: 8:30 am – 9:00 am
Presentation 1: 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Presentation 2: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Networking Session: 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Representatives from both public and private organizations will be available to discuss contracting opportunities in the areas of information technology, professional services, construction, commodities and more. Additional benefits include:

• The opportunity to interface with administrators regarding upcoming projects
• Early notification of upcoming projects and opportunities
• Learning how organizations initiate projects
• Finding out if written scopes are available and what ordinances affect the projects
• A discussion of banking opportunities with representatives from several financial institutions

Click here to download registration form. For more details, visit Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce

Strategic and Succession Planning Workshop - March 17th

Financial Empowerment Training Program

The purpose of the Financial Empowerment Training Program (FETP) is to educate small business owners on the importance of understanding finances, their financial position and how this connects to financing, decision-making, planning, and business longevity.

Workshop Description

This course is designed to help participants understand the importance of planning and how to apply it to their business.  In this workshop, participants will learn how strategic and succession planning can help achieve business goals.  Participants will also learn their options in each category, what to consider when planning and how to develop a workable plan. 

Date: March 17th

Time: 6:00pm

Duration: 2 hours

Location: CCV

105 W. Adams (entrance on Clark)

Registration for the program is at no cost to the participant (valued at $800),  however, there is an application process.  To learn more, take a look at the program brochure. To request an application or register forworkshop, contact Duane Wadlington at dwadlington@chiventures.org or 312.960.0319.

The Financial Empowerment Training Program is sponsored by a generous grant from the Citi Foundation. 

March 15th - Lunch, Learn & Link: Estate Planning Basics

Lunch, Learn & Link: Estate Planning Basics

Spencer & Rozwadowski, LLP is pleased to announce its monthly Lunch, Learn & Link meetings, which are designed to provide useful information for individuals and business owners in a casual and fun setting.

Our first meeting will cover estate planning basics, such as wills, revocable living trusts & advance medical directives.  In addition, Cyrus Clausen, Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial will be doing a presentation on financial planning basics and will be available to answer questions.  It will start at noon and conclude at one and will be held at our offices (150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2800).  Please feel free to bring your own lunch.  Please RSVP to info@law-sr.com as space is limited.

Speaker Profile: Chef Cleetus Friedman

 

Cleetus Friedman, Owner/Chef, City Provisions is a featured speaker at CCV Hearts Small Business - Food Edition. This February 8th event is an educational and networking opportunity for those currently in or interested in the culinary business.  To learn more about CCV Hearts Small Business - Food Edition, click here

 

 

 

 

 

Cleetus Friedman is a lifelong chef, entertainer and event planner who is revolutionizing the green eating scene in Chicago.  In the short time since City Provisions (www.cityprovisions.com) opened its doors in February of 2008, it has become the premiere catering and events company for the conscious-minded and beyond. Its unique offerings include a farm-to-fork Supper Club/Farm Dinner series (where patrons board a biodiesel bus and eat a five-course meal at a local farm,meet the farmers and learn about food from the ground up—all part of Friedman’s educational mission).  In addition September 2010 brought to life the next stage of Chef Cleetus’s dream:  the City Provisions Delicatessen, where patrons can please their belly and their conscious. Chef Cleetus is an active member of the Green Chicago Restaurant Co-Op. City Provisions shows  consistent growth, all because the man at the helm believes deeply in his mission—service excellence, education, wholesome, local food and business practices that give back to the Earth and the community.

By using local farms and supporting local businesses, Cleetus Friedman and City Provisions strive to educate their guests on what it means to be sustainable, local, and healthy.