Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC

Illinois APEX Accelerator Webinar: Mentor / Protégé Programs
2025-04-22 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Webinar
Presented by Keli Krueger-Huhra, Director – Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC
Did you know that you can accelerate government contracting success through Mentor-Protégé Programs? The purpose of the MPP is to enhance the capabilities of protégé firms by requiring approved mentors to provide business development assistance to protégé firms and to improve the protégé firms’ ability to compete for federal contracts successfully. Multiple programs are created to incentivize Prime Contractors to assist small businesses and increase participation in government and commercial contracts. Join us as we discuss the benefits for the Mentors and the Proteges by participating in one of these programs.
Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Time: 2-3 PM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VAK3yci7TKieTVeokG4DlA
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: this webinar will be recorded and may be shared publicly. By registering for this webinar, you understand that your questions or comments shared during the webinar will be recorded and shared in a public domain.

Webinar: Best Accounting Practices for Your Small Business
2025-04-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Webinar
This webinar qualifies for reimbursement as part of the City of Champaign New Business Grant Program. If you are an awardee of the program and attend this session, you will receive a certificate to include in your reimbursement forms to the City.
Presented by Todd Davis – Partner, M|H
Accurate financial information is essential for running a successful business. Discipline and a few best practices can help remove much of the uncertainty in your business operations and give you the tools to make more informed business decisions.
In this interactive webinar, you will learn some of the best practices we see in successful small businesses. These practices won’t necessarily guarantee success, but they will be a big step in getting you there.
Date: Monday, April 21, 2025
Time: 2-3 PM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CksNc_u_RayYIHKTgNb7lA
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: this webinar will be recorded and may be shared publicly. By registering for this webinar, you understand that your questions or comments shared during the webinar will be recorded and shared in a public domain.
Todd is a partner with M|H, which has offices in Champaign, Peoria, and, most recently, Danville. Before joining M|H in 2023, Todd served eight years as the Chief Accounting Officer at Hallador Energy Company, where he played a pivotal role in managing financial operations and ensuring SEC and tax compliance. He also served as a Director and Senior Manager for 16 years at a large national accounting firm. Todd’s expertise overseeing accounting operations and compliance is utilized to oversee our Business Advisory Services (BAS) and Virtual Chief Financial Officer (VCFO) services.

Webinar: Navigating the Commercial Leasing Process
2025-04-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
Presented by Jill Guth, Designated Managing Broker / Owner — Guth & Associates
Are you thinking or dreaming of leasing a space for your small business? Navigating the leasing process can be complex. Join this webinar to hear from local broker Jill Guth! She’ll break down the process and help you understand the basics – what all small business owners should know – including: what to expect and ask, the difference between NNN and Gross, understanding what’s in a lease agreement, and more.
This webinar will provide an overview of the commercial leasing process and information to help you take the proper steps in the correct order. Following the presentation, Q&A will be available.
Date: Friday, April 18, 2025
Time: 10-11 AM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9CpWbxWmQ–MGwsRx3kEmA
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Jill Guth has over 37 years of leadership and management experience in the economic development arena which cultivated a variety of relationships in numerous sectors. Prior to forming Guth & Associates, Jill served as the Director of Commercial Leasing & Marketing for JSM. During her time with JSM, Guth served on several boards and committees throughout the community and founded the Champaign Center Partnership which works to promote Champaign’s Center City. Before her role at JSM, Guth served as the President/CEO of Campustown 2000 where she implemented programs to redevelop and revitalize the greater Campustown area, serving the University of Illinois. After Campustown 2000, Guth served as the Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation where she led efforts to increase economic development activities on a county-wide basis. Combining her experience in marketing, real estate, and economic development, Guth is able to provide tailored strategies to meet the needs of each individual client.

SBDC Webinar: Writing a Business Plan
2025-04-17 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-12 10:00 - 11:00 | 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:

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 – 10-11 AM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yOONX7swSc-NfMfLMou5jQ
Thursday, April 17, 2025 – 2-3 PM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p_nefLwvTtKfhSfLKO1NRQ
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 – 10-11 AM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XqpOOpw0SH6YllP5IsJXBw
Thursday, August 21, 2025 – 2-3 PM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cnDgNhcXT8OM3QNZNoXANQ
Monday, September 22, 2025 – 2-3 PM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TsPEGWmNRMuRsjkaQwAIQw
Thursday, October 16, 2025 – 10-11 AM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_48U0MkuBQQa1cKm2cfPKdQ
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – 2-3 PM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HbuHo3rNRhigMR-lGb80fA
Monday, December 15, 2025 – 10-11 AM: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ixM7JDROQ5mt8MIRDIYxxA

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

2026 Open Office Hours at Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
2025-04-16 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-04-09 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-04-02 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-03-26 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-03-19 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-03-12 10:00 - 11:30 | 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.

2025 Open Office Hours at Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
2025-04-16 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-04-09 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-04-02 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-03-26 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-03-19 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-03-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign, IL, United States

Illinois APEX Accelerator Webinar: Start Now in Government Contracting Series Part 1 – Conducting Market Research
2025-04-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
This session is part 1 of a 3-part series.
Presented by Keli Krueger-Huhra, Director – Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC
What do we find when we do Market Research? Propensity! In other words:

Who buys what you sell?
How do they buy it?
How often do they buy it?
How much they are buying?

This is the beginning of the journey to determine if government contracting is a good fit for your business. In the first of our 3-part series, we will help you decide whether you can compete based on what the marketplace tells you. You’ll learn how to effectively use available resources to perform research for past awards, current agency opportunities, and forecasts to determine which agencies use your product or services. We’ll show you how to generate agency top ten lists and see how you can get questions answered by using the search criteria for informing the results.
Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
Time: 10-11 AM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LsnGyGh1TOOWvOWHRICEUA
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: this webinar will be recorded and may be shared publicly. By registering for this webinar, you understand that your questions or comments shared during the webinar will be recorded and shared in a public domain.

2025 Open Office Hours at Champaign Public Library
2025-04-10 12:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-13 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.
2025 dates:

March 13
April 10*
May 8
June 12
July 10
August 14*
September 11
October 9*
November 13
December 11*

* denotes dates that 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.
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
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: Navigating Google’s Latest Updates for Business Growth
2025-04-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
This webinar qualifies for reimbursement as part of the City of Champaign New Business Grant Program. If you are an awardee of the program and attend this session, you will receive a certificate to include in your reimbursement forms to the City.
Presented by Scott Clanin – Director, Clanin Creative
Get ahead of the curve with our Google Updates workshop covering the latest updates to key Google products, including Google Business Profile, Google Search ads, and more. Discover how these new tools can revolutionize your online presence and drive business growth. Join us to stay informed, stay competitive, and unlock the full potential of Google’s latest advancements.
The workshop will be approximately 45 minutes of presentation time followed by Q&A.
Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
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 director of Clanin Creative, an independent design agency based in Champaign, Illinois. With a deep passion for marketing and a sharp creative eye, Scott leads projects that help businesses craft and communicate their unique stories. He is a strong advocate for the local community, having served on the boards of Promise Healthcare, 40 North, the Champaign Center Partnership, and more. As a certified Google professional, Scott combines his expertise in digital strategy with a commitment to innovative design, helping brands grow and thrive.
Clanin Creative is an independent design agency hailing from Champaign, Illinois, dedicated to transforming brands with standout design and compelling storytelling. Their unique approach blends strategic insight with creative skill, delivering tailored solutions that elevate brands and connect with audiences. Learn more by visiting www.clanincreative.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, Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, EDC of Decatur & Macon County, Experience Champaign-Urbana, New American Welcome Center of the University YMCA, Parkland College Community Education, Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce, and University of Illinois Research Park.

Illinois APEX Accelerator Webinar: How to Respond to an RFP/RFQ – Mastering Proposal Writing
2025-03-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
Presented by Keli Krueger-Huhra, Director – Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC
Unlock the foundations and building blocks to crafting compelling, winning proposals with our in-depth presentation. We will cover important aspects of the process to respond to government solicitations. This includes understanding the clients’ needs to structure your response and addressing their evaluation criteria. Gain the skills and strategies needed to stand out in competitive bid processes and avoid Common Pitfalls in Proposal Development.
Date: Friday, March 28, 2025
Time: 10-11 AM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DnV0ENmLTJmIacVDV1ud-w
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: this webinar will be recorded and may be shared publicly. By registering for this webinar, you understand that your questions or comments shared during the webinar will be recorded and shared in a public domain.

Workshop: Optimize Your Social Media Accounts
2025-03-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
This workshop qualifies for reimbursement as part of the City of Champaign New Business Grant Program. If you are an awardee of the program and attend this session, you will receive a certificate to include in your reimbursement forms to the City.
Presented by Scott Clanin – Director, Clanin Creative
Let’s work on strengthening your social media strategies! Ideal for those looking to improve existing accounts, this workshop will cover new tools and features that will help you optimize your social media presence. We’ll discuss photography best practices, tips for writing copy, new advertising options, and more!
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
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 director of Clanin Creative, an independent design agency based in Champaign, Illinois. With a deep passion for marketing and a sharp creative eye, Scott leads projects that help businesses craft and communicate their unique stories. He is a strong advocate for the local community, having served on the boards of Promise Healthcare, 40 North, the Champaign Center Partnership, and more. As a certified Google professional, Scott combines his expertise in digital strategy with a commitment to innovative design, helping brands grow and thrive.
Clanin Creative is an independent design agency hailing from Champaign, Illinois, dedicated to transforming brands with standout design and compelling storytelling. Their unique approach blends strategic insight with creative skill, delivering tailored solutions that elevate brands and connect with audiences. Learn more by visiting www.clanincreative.com
This session 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, Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, 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.

Webinar: Best Practices in New Hire Onboarding
2025-03-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
This webinar qualifies for reimbursement as part of the City of Champaign New Business Grant Program. If you are an awardee of the program and attend this session, you will receive a certificate to include in your reimbursement forms to the City.
Presented by Kelly Gust, President and Chief Encourager – HR Full Circle
Why bring people in the front door, only to see them walk straight out the back door? Supervisors need to know how to welcome people to your organization, foster a sense of belonging, and ramp up new hires to full performance! In this presentation, HR Full Circle will share a timeline and basic onboarding checklist for new hire onboarding. In addition, we’ll explore best practices for onboarding that will build excitement and trust in your organization from day 1.
Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Time: 10-11 AM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uR3NEo1rTDG-H5s2nb6Z7g
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: this webinar will be recorded and may be shared publicly. By registering for this webinar, you understand that your questions or comments shared during the webinar will be recorded and shared in a public domain.
Kelly Gust got her start in HR working at the bar her parents owned in Wisconsin. Why DID so many people like to drink cocktails and complain about their jobs? With a liberal arts degree from the University of Minnesota, she was worried she’d ALSO end up bartending, so she pursued her master’s from California State University, then worked at great companies like Starwood Hotels and Hot Topic. Her 20-year career has been spent making work BETTER; better hiring, onboarding, leader development, employee engagement and team building. Kelly now owns a business, but instead of a bar it’s HR Full Circle, where she helps organizations hire, inspire and engage their teams to make work better. She also stays busy raising 2 teenage sons, cooking healthy food that they refuse to eat as well as running, gardening, travel, trying to improve her golf game and spending time at the lake.
This session is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC and presented in collaboration with Champaign County EDC and University of Illinois Research Park.

Webinar: Planning for the Future - Succession Strategies for Small Business Owners
2025-03-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Webinar
This webinar qualifies for reimbursement as part of the City of Champaign New Business Grant Program. If you are an awardee of the program and attend this session, you will receive a certificate to include in your reimbursement forms to the City.
Presented by Alan Singleton, President – Singleton Law Firm
Thinking about retirement, transferring ownership, or ensuring the long-term success of your business? Join us and local attorney, Alan Singleton, for a webinar focused on business succession planning. This session will provide practical insights and actionable strategies to help you navigate key considerations, address common challenges, and create a smooth transition plan. Gain insights on how to maximize value and protect your business, employees, and legacy for years to come. Perfect for small business owners at any stage of planning!
Date: Monday, March 24, 2024
Time: 2-3 PM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sbPoPaJcTAWiYj7bEiz_sw
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: this webinar will be recorded and may be shared publicly. By registering for this webinar, you understand that your questions or comments shared during the webinar will be recorded and shared in a public domain.
Alan is the President of Singleton Law Firm. He has more than 25 years of experience working with entrepreneurs to develop legal solutions for companies at all stages of development and build their international intellectual property portfolios. Clients appreciate Alan’s ability to see the big picture and give comprehensive advice with both legal and business considerations in mind.
Alan’s practice is focused on corporate formation and transactions (including angel / venture capital investment rounds and mergers and acquisitions), intellectual property (technology licensing, trademark, and patent matters), and real estate

Illinois APEX Accelerator Webinar: Certification Series Part 4 – USDOT (IDOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification
2025-03-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
This session is part 4 of a 4-part series.
Presented by Keli Krueger-Huhra, Director – Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC
In accordance with 49 CFR Part 26 the Illinois Department of Transportation Office of Business and Workforce Diversity administers the DBE program. The DBE regulations mandate that minority and women owned businesses be afforded the opportunity to participate in IDOT federally assisted highway, transit and airport contracts. Businesses involved in highway construction-related services (non-vertical), consultants, and supplier/equipment, rental/trucking services are considered for participation in IDOT’s DBE Program. In this session we will discuss the options to apply for DBE certification along with the requirement and process.
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Time: 10-11 AM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TeDqFUZ9QnKELciVPi_5mA
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: this webinar will be recorded and may be shared publicly. By registering for this webinar, you understand that your questions or comments shared during the webinar will be recorded and shared in a public domain.

SBDC Workshop: Writing a Business Plan
2025-03-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Illinois Small Business Development Center, 1817 S. Neil Street, Suite 100, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
Celebrating SBDC Day – March 19, 2025: https://americassbdc.org/sbdcday/
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 workshop, 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:

Clarifying Your Business Plan’s Purpose and Objectives
Understanding Your Business Plan Needs
Breaking Down the Components of a Business Plan
Selecting the Right Tools for Business Plan Development

Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Time: 2-3 PM
Location: Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC, 1817 S. Neil Street, Suite 100, Champaign, IL 61820
Registration: No cost to attend, registration required to secure a spot. Materials will be provided. RSVP below.

Open Office Hours with Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
2025-03-19 09:00 - 11:00 | Illinois Small Business Development Center, 1817 S. Neil Street, Suite 100, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
Celebrating SBDC Day – March 19, 2025: https://americassbdc.org/sbdcday/
Join Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC and Champaign-Urbana Public Health District staff for Open Office Hours on Wednesday, March 19, from 9-11 AM at the Illinois Small Business Development Center office: 1817 S. Neil Street, Suite 100, Champaign, IL 61820
No appointment is needed to speak with SBDC Director Madeleine Wolske or CUPHD Director of Environmental Health Sarah Michaels.

SBDC Day
2025-03-19 | IL
SBDC Day is a national, collective proclamation of the impact America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) have on the success of our nation’s dreamers, innovators, and doers – America’s small businesses.
SBDC Day unites the nearly 1,000 SBDC centers across the country and the hundreds of thousands of clients they serve by sharing, in real time, the success stories and notable impacts SBDCs collectively have on the small business community. This day will be celebrated with social media campaigns, public relations initiatives, and other online events.
For more information: https://americassbdc.org/sbdcday/

SBDC Workshop: Starting Your Business in Illinois
2025-03-14 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: Friday, March 14, 2025
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: No cost to attend, registration required to secure a spot. Materials will be provided. RSVP below.
