SBDC Webinar: Writing a Business Plan
2024-07-23 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-08-22 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-09-11 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Webinar
Presented by Madeleine Wolske, Director – Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC
Why do you need a business plan? It’s your playbook!
In this webinar, we will discuss the fundamentals of business planning. Developing your business plan should be a process, not just a task, evolving with your business.
Topics covered will include:

Clarify Your Business Plan’s Purpose and Objectives
Understand Your Business Plan Needs
Break Down the Components of a Business Plan
Select the Right Tools for Business Plan Development

The webinar will be approximately 45 minutes of presentation time followed by Q&A. Participants will be able to ask questions in the chat box, which will be addressed at the end of the presentation, moderated by a member of our team.
Dates / Times:

Thursday, January 18, 2024 – 1-3 PM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gfXd1hDvS6qHDduANr-mCw
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 – 9-11 AM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KDTZaF0ITFWJXnneMmoWGw
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 – 1-2 PM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2VPUMIbIRhWS00hth8_V9g
Thursday, April 4, 2024 – 2-3 PM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Nkdd0331T1qr6bu84Ls9FA
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 – 10 – 11 AM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SAQQ6PB3Q3WWP5XNQb8kGg
Tuesday, June 18, 2024 – 10 – 11 AM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_s4S8dx7xSPWqdoQqKqVkbg
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 – 2-3 PM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ko4NbTWqQICSHzsQHnsrrA
Thursday, August 22, 2024 – 10-11 AM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kY-1dH-KQMGd4oJ7MKc55w
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 – 10-11 AM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_q-cghMhlSga0n54hZ8bNVw

*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Workshop: Getting Started on Canva
2024-07-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
THIS CLASS IS FULL – REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED.
Presented by Scott Clanin, Owner & President of Clanin Marketing
Whether you need quick and easy social media graphics, posters, presentations, or flyers, Canva is the perfect solution for well branded design in just a few clicks. We’ll show you ways to get started, available templates, when to use Canva and when not to use Canva, customization features, and much more. Experience is not required to attend!
The workshop will be approximately 45 minutes of presentation time followed by Q&A.
Date: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Time: 10 – 11 AM
Location: Champaign Public Library (Robeson Pavilion Room A/B) – 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Register below; no cost to attend (registration required to secure a spot). Materials will be provided.
Scott Clanin is the owner and president of Clanin Marketing, a full-service marketing and design agency based in Champaign, Illinois, and has broad experience working closely with small to medium-size businesses and non-profit organizations. Recognized by Google for helping businesses grow on the web, Scott’s vision and leadership have helped numerous businesses successfully grow and achieve their goals with strategic marketing and branding strategies. Learn more at https://www.claninmarketing.com.
This workshop is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC and presented in collaboration with Champaign County EDC, Champaign Center Partnership, Champaign Public Library, EDC of Decatur & Macon County, Experience Champaign-Urbana, Parkland College Community Education, University of Illinois Research Park, and Village of Rantoul.

2025 Open Office Hours at Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
2024-07-24 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-07-31 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-07 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-14 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-21 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-28 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-09-04 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-09-11 10:00 - 11:30 and 5 more dates | Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign, IL, United States
Sarah Michaels, Director of Environmental Health at CUPHD, hosts Open Office Hours every week to assist food/drink/retail establishment owners, managers, and workers with questions related to Environmental Health programs and services: https://www.c-uphd.org/environmental-health.html.
The Open Office Hours are available every Wednesday from 10-11:30 AM at CUPHD: 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign, IL 61820.
No pre-registration is required.

Webinar: Illinois Innovation Voucher Program Informational Session
2024-08-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Presented by: Jacob Barry – Innovation Program Manager, Illinois Science and Technology Coalition (ISTC)
Join us for this informational webinar to learn more about the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program (20 ILCS 605/605-1060), which aims to foster research and development in key industry clusters leading to the creation of new products and services that can be marketed by Illinois businesses. The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has awarded the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC) the authority to administer this program, which includes up to $3,000,000 in the form of vouchers to eligible participants over the course of one year. Innovation vouchers may cover up to 75% (not to exceed $75,000) of the cost of a research engagement between an Illinois-based small-to-medium-sized business and an Illinois-based institution of higher education.
This session will include a presentation about the program followed by Q&A. You are welcome to submit questions ahead of time to jordan@champaigncountyedc.org.
What: Webinar: Illinois Innovation Voucher Program
Date: Thursday, August 1, 2024
Time: 12-1 PM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Odgv4NWMRb-DHVJhHCCH-w
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
This webinar is presented by Champaign County Economic Development Corporation and University of Illinois Research Park.

SBDC Workshop: Starting Your Business in Illinois
2024-08-07 13:00 - 15:00 | Illinois Small Business Development Center, 1817 S. Neil Street, Suite 100, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
Presented by Madeleine Wolske – Director, Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC
Thinking about starting a business in Illinois? This workshop helps aspiring entrepreneurs understand the opportunities and requirements for starting their business. You’ll be taken step-by-step through a variety of topics and can ask questions.
Topics covered:

Introduction to the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC
Feasibility Checklist
Creating a Lean Business Plan
Identifying Your Customers
Sources of Funding, including Financing and Grant Options
Business Formation and Registration

Date: Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Time: 1 – 3 PM
Location: Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC, 1817 S. Neil Street, Suite 100, Champaign, IL 61820
Registration: Free to attend, registration required to secure a spot. Materials will be provided. RSVP below.

Workshop: Instagram for Business 101
2024-08-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
Presented by Scott Clanin, Owner & President of Clanin Marketing
This Instagram for Business 101 workshop is for those looking to optimize their business presence on Instagram. This workshop will provide you with the skills and best practices to enhance your presence, account structure, creative use of visuals, and more.
The workshop will be approximately 45 minutes of presentation time followed by Q&A.
Date: Thursday, August 8, 2024
Time: 10 – 11 AM
Location: Champaign Public Library (Robeson Pavilion Room C) – 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Register below; no cost to attend (registration required to secure a spot). Materials will be provided.
Scott Clanin is the owner and president of Clanin Marketing, a full-service marketing and design agency based in Champaign, Illinois, and has broad experience working closely with small to medium-size businesses and non-profit organizations. Recognized by Google for helping businesses grow on the web, Scott’s vision and leadership have helped numerous businesses successfully grow and achieve their goals with strategic marketing and branding strategies. Learn more at https://www.claninmarketing.com.
This workshop is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC and presented in collaboration with Champaign County EDC, Champaign Center Partnership, Champaign Public Library, EDC of Decatur & Macon County, Experience Champaign-Urbana, Parkland College Community Education, University of Illinois Research Park, and Village of Rantoul.

Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC Office Hours at Champaign Public Library
2024-08-08 12:00 - 15:00, 2024-09-12 12:00 - 15:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
SBDC Director, Madeleine Wolske, will hold open office hours at Launch (at Champaign Public Library) on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 12 – 3 PM.
January – September 2024 dates:

January 11
February 8
March 14
April 11
May 9
June 13
July 11
August 8*
September 12*

SBDC services are offered at no cost & are completely confidential. For those interested in attending the Office Hours and have not worked with the SBDC before, please register as a client prior to your meeting: https://ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/signup?centerid=118
*During the August 8 and September 12 sessions, Madeleine will be joined by Sarah Michaels, Director of Environmental Health at CUPHD, to assist food/drink/retail establishment owners, managers, and workers with questions related to Environmental Health programs and services: https://www.c-uphd.org/environmental-health.html.
Launch at the Library business services include a walk-in coworking space, seminars, meeting rooms, and resources to help start, manage, and grow your business. Visit champaign.org/launch for more information.

Workshop: Instagram for Business 201
2024-08-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
Presented by Scott Clanin – Director, Clanin Creative
Level up your business presence on Instagram with ways to create thumb-stopping content, launch an Instagram Store, utilize the latest ad options, get creative in Reels, and more! Some familiarity with Instagram is recommended.
The workshop will be approximately 45 minutes of presentation time followed by Q&A.
Date: Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Time: 10 – 11 AM
Location: Champaign Public Library (Robeson Pavilion Room C) – 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Register below; no cost to attend (registration required to secure a spot). Materials will be provided.
Scott Clanin is the owner and president of Clanin Creative, a full-service marketing and design agency based in Champaign, Illinois, and has broad experience working closely with small to medium-size businesses and non-profit organizations. Recognized by Google for helping businesses grow on the web, Scott’s vision and leadership have helped numerous businesses successfully grow and achieve their goals with strategic marketing and branding strategies.
This workshop is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC and presented in collaboration with Champaign County EDC, Champaign Center Partnership, Champaign Public Library, EDC of Decatur & Macon County, Experience Champaign-Urbana, Parkland College Community Education, University of Illinois Research Park, and Village of Rantoul.

Workshop: Photography Tips for Your Business
2024-09-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
Presented by Scott Clanin – Director, Clanin Creative
Unlock the power of stunning visuals with our photography tips workshop tailored for business owners. Learn why high-quality photos are crucial for your brand, explore various options for sourcing professional images, and gain insider tips from a seasoned photographer. Join us to elevate your visual content, attract more customers, and stand out in a competitive market. Attendees will also hear from local photographer, Anna Longworth-Singer.
The workshop will be approximately 45 minutes of presentation time followed by Q&A.
Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Time: 2-3 PM
Location: Champaign Public Library (Robeson Pavilion A/B) – 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Register below to secure a seat (no cost to attend). All materials will be provided.
Scott Clanin is the owner and president of Clanin Creative, a full-service marketing and design agency based in Champaign, Illinois, and has broad experience working closely with small to medium-size businesses and non-profit organizations. Recognized by Google for helping businesses grow on the web, Scott’s vision and leadership have helped numerous businesses successfully grow and achieve their goals with strategic marketing and branding strategies.
This workshop is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC and presented in collaboration with Champaign County EDC, Champaign Center Partnership, Champaign Public Library, EDC of Decatur & Macon County, Experience Champaign-Urbana, Mahomet Chamber of Commerce, New American Welcome Center at University YMCA, Parkland College Community Education, and University of Illinois Research Park.

Workshop: Steps to Starting a Business
2024-09-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (Main Conference Room), 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign, Illinois, 61820
Presented by Madeleine Wolske – Director, Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC
Are you looking to start your business in Illinois? In partnership with the City of Champaign and The Refugee Center, you’re invited to join us for a 30-minute workshop, specially tailored for Welcoming Week, that will quickly guide you through the essential steps to legally start your business in Illinois. Attendees will also hear from Janel Gomez, Community Relations Manager & Compliance Officer with the City of Champaign.
Topics covered:

Introduction to the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC
Key Legal Requirements for Starting a Business
Basic Business Registration and Formation Steps
Resources and Next Steps

Following the presentation, there will be an opportunity to receive one-on-one technical assistance & translation services from the entities present.
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024
Time: 1-3 PM
Location: Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (Main Conference Room) – 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign, IL 61820
Register: No cost to attend; RSVP below to secure your spot.
This workshop is being presented by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC in partnership with the City of Champaign and The Refugee Center as part of the New American Welcome Center at the University YMCA Welcoming Week.

Informational Session & Open Office Hours: City of Champaign Small Business Programs
2024-09-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
Informational Session & Open Office Hours: City of Champaign Small Business Programs
Join Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC Director, Madeleine Wolske, and City of Champaign’s Planning & Development Associate Planner, Daniel Saphiere, to learn more about the new City of Champaign Small Business Programs – New Business Program and Growing Business Program.
This session will include 30 minutes of presentation followed by 90 minutes of open office hours. City & SBDC staff will be available to answer questions and provide technical assistance.
To learn more about the programs available: https://champaignil.gov/city-incentives/
Date: Monday, September 23, 2024
Time: 1-3 PM
Location: Champaign Public Library – Robeson Pavilion Room C (200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL 61820) free parking is available

SBDC Workshop: Starting Your Business in Illinois
2024-09-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Illinois Small Business Development Center, 1817 S. Neil Street, Suite 100, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
Presented by Madeleine Wolske – Director, Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC
Thinking about starting a business in Illinois? This workshop helps aspiring entrepreneurs understand the opportunities and requirements for starting their business. You’ll be taken step-by-step through a variety of topics and can ask questions.
Topics covered:

Introduction to the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC
Feasibility Checklist
Creating a Lean Business Plan
Identifying Your Customers
Sources of Funding, including Financing and Grant Options
Business Formation and Registration

Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Time: 10 AM – 12 PM
Location: Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC, 1817 S. Neil Street, Suite 100, Champaign, IL 61820
Registration: Free to attend, registration required to secure a spot. Materials will be provided. RSVP below.

Workshop: Choosing the Right Website Platform for Your Business
2024-09-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
Presented by Scott Clanin – Director, Clanin Creative
Navigate the world of website platforms during our workshop designed for new businesses and those looking to reassess their online presence. Discover the types of sites that align with your business needs, explore the best platform options, and learn essential design tips for creating an engaging and effective website. Join us to make informed decisions, optimize your online presence, and drive business growth with the perfect website solution.
The workshop will be approximately 45 minutes of presentation time followed by Q&A.
Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: Champaign Public Library (Robeson Pavilion A/B) – 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Register below to secure a seat (no cost to attend). All materials will be provided.
Scott Clanin is the owner and president of Clanin Creative, a full-service marketing and design agency based in Champaign, Illinois, and has broad experience working closely with small to medium-size businesses and non-profit organizations. Recognized by Google for helping businesses grow on the web, Scott’s vision and leadership have helped numerous businesses successfully grow and achieve their goals with strategic marketing and branding strategies.
This workshop is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC and presented in collaboration with Champaign County EDC, Champaign Center Partnership, Champaign Public Library, EDC of Decatur & Macon County, Experience Champaign-Urbana, Mahomet Chamber of Commerce, New American Welcome Center at University YMCA, Parkland College Community Education, and University of Illinois Research Park.

Informational Session & Open Office Hours: City of Champaign Small Business Programs
2024-09-30 13:00 - 15:00 | IL
Join Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC Director, Madeleine Wolske, and City of Champaign’s Planning & Development Associate Planner, Daniel Saphiere, to learn more about the new City of Champaign Small Business Programs – New Business Program and Growing Business Program.
This session will include 30 minutes of presentation followed by 90 minutes of open office hours. City & SBDC staff will be available to answer questions and provide technical assistance.
To learn more about the programs available: https://champaignil.gov/city-incentives/
Date: Monday, September 30, 2024
Time: 1-3 PM
Location: Virtual – Zoom
Register: To receive a link to join the session, please register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VJH1uJOdSvK0wYIHd865pA

Workshop: Identify and Engage Your Target Audience
2024-10-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
Presented by Scott Clanin – Director, Clanin Creative
Unlock the secrets to finding and connecting with your ideal customers in our engaging workshop. Learn how to identify your target audience, understand their needs and preferences, and tailor your marketing strategies to reach them effectively. Gain valuable insights and practical tips to refine your approach, boost engagement, and drive business growth.
The workshop will be approximately 45 minutes of presentation time followed by Q&A.
Date: Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Time: 2-3 PM
Location: Champaign Public Library (Robeson Pavilion A/B) – 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Register below to secure a seat (no cost to attend). All materials will be provided.
Scott Clanin is the owner and president of Clanin Creative, a full-service marketing and design agency based in Champaign, Illinois, and has broad experience working closely with small to medium-size businesses and non-profit organizations. Recognized by Google for helping businesses grow on the web, Scott’s vision and leadership have helped numerous businesses successfully grow and achieve their goals with strategic marketing and branding strategies.
This workshop is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC and presented in collaboration with Champaign County EDC, Champaign Center Partnership, Champaign Public Library, EDC of Decatur & Macon County, Experience Champaign-Urbana, Mahomet Chamber of Commerce, New American Welcome Center at University YMCA, Parkland College Community Education, and University of Illinois Research Park.
