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Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)

The WBDC ignites business growth, providing education to current and aspiring entrepreneurs throughout Chicagoland. We provide technical assistance around business plans, accessing capital, government contracts, certification and more.

About

The mission of the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is to support and accelerate business development and growth, targeting women and serving all diverse business owners, in order to strengthen their participation in, and impact on, the economy. Our main office is in the loop, with satellites in Little Village, Richton Park, and Aurora. WBDC provides technical assistance in the form of 1:1 business advising, workshops/webinars, and multi-week cohort programs. We educate on topics such as start-ups, legal entities, business planning, business growth, marketing, accessing capital (including Kiva microloans and direct lending), government contracts, international trade, certification and more. All services are available in both English and Spanish.

Services Provided

Develop ideas

  • Establish goals
  • Define products
  • Price products
  • Create business plan (Specialty)
  • Create forecast

Formalize structures

  • Register legally
  • Secure licenses
  • Certify as MBE/WBE (Specialty)

Find financing

  • Analyze needs (Specialty)
  • Apply for a loan
  • Apply for a grant
  • Evaluate equity

Increase sales

  • Update forecast
  • Improve marketing
  • Establish online (Specialty)
  • Develop partners
  • Update business plan
  • Join accelerator

Optimize operations

  • Measure operations
  • Prep for wholesale

Hire / retain staff

  • Write job specs (Specialty)
  • Draft staff manual

Capture wealth

  • Update pitch deck (Specialty)
  • Meet investors
  • Seek legal counsel
  • Plan for succession
  • Sell your business
Contact Information
LaMonica Scott
Address
8 S Michigan Ave
Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone
(312) 853-3477 Ext: 100