Chicago Business and Entrepreneurship News

From the Desk of: 

Bernita Johnson-Gabriel,
Executive Vice President,
Neighborhood and Strategic Initiatives 
World Business Chicago 

ChiBizHub Family,

It has been six months since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chicago. Many businesses have pivoted and remained viable, while others have closed their doors for the last time. ChiBizHub remains committed to providing real-time resources along with advice on the ways that businesses just like yours have been able to sustain and even grow during COVID-19.
 
As an example, El Nopalito Delivery Service, LLC identified a new market and quickly ramped up their delivery services to include personal protection equipment (PPE), food, feminine care products and hot meals to the severely impacted neighborhoods of Pilsen, Little Village, Ashburn, South Shore, North Lawndale and Humboldt Park. Below, Mila Johnson Perez, Founder and CEO details how she scaled from serving 11 families to 300 with the help of employees and volunteers.
 
ChiBizHub has expanded its resource provider network to nearly 175 organizations focused on providing you with resources and counsel from starting to accelerating your business. One such resource provider is Workbox, an incubator and accelerator with direct access to a range of investors and lenders, vetted strategic advising through experienced mentors and professional specialists as well as an unparalleled community of growing businesses. Chief Operating Officer, Caitlin McAllister shares her perspective on what makes Workbox special and perhaps, the place for you!

Another unique service provider, The iCAN Collective, offers a creative workspace for entrepreneurs, remote workers, dreamers, changemakers and gamechangers. It is an inclusive space with a focus on celebrating and supporting Black Women entrepreneurs. Below, Founder and CEO, Afeyna Pongo Montgomery, shares how her Ghanaian Roots influenced her ability to innovate and inspired her entrepreneurial journey.

In closing, please take a moment to visit our COVID-19 Resource page where you will always find up-to-date information about the resources and support available to you as you work to sustain and scale your business. You will also find our digital series, ChiBizHub Conversations in English and in Spanish. Recent topics include expanding your customer base, improving your presence on social media, financial planning and more.

 #wearyourmask #TogetherAgainstCOVID-19

Bernita

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Feature Spotlight

Caitlin McAllister, Chief Operating Officer, Workbox



Watch the Spotlight Interview with Caitlin McAllister

Caitlin McAllister is the COO of Workbox. Prior to Workbox, Caitlin was the Executive Director of Catapult Chicago, one of Chicago’s oldest tech incubators. Caitlin has also held executive roles at Starwood and IHG, responsible for managing teams of up to 75 employees while developing experiential programming and managing strategic partnerships within the luxury brand segment. Caitlin holds a BA from the University of Portland.

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Feature Spotlight

Mila Johnson Perez, Founder and CEO, El Nopalito Delivery Service, LLC



Watch the Spotlight Interview with Mila Johnson Perez

Mila Johnson Perez, Pilsen native, is Founder and CEO of Nopalito Creatives Inc. and El Nopalito Delivery, LLC. She is a Queer, Latinx and pro cannabis advocate for social equity in the cannabis industry and fighting to dismantle food apartheid in Chicago. With over 5 years of experience in operations, logistics and fraud and risk analytics, Mila has used this experience to launch the first full delivery service app assisting local businesses, artists, crafters and restaurants with same-day contactless delivery. Mila is a staunch community advocate, when she isn’t decolonizing the stigma prevalent surrounding the cannabis industry she is hanging out with her three dogs, Chispita, Pablo, and Noah and lending a hand around the neighborhood. 

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Feature Spotlight

Afenya Pongo Montgomery, Founder and CEO, The iCAN Collective



Watch the Spotlight Interview with Afenya Pongo Montgomery

Afenya Pongo Montgomery is the founder of The iCAN Collective. The iCAN Collective is a creative studio, coworking and event space, located in Chicago's South Loop, for Black women in business featuring conferences, workshops and seminars focused on entrepreneurship. 

Afenya also has a background in healthcare. She began her nursing career as a nurse extern and climbed the nursing ladder to Master of Science in Nursing and MBA with a focus on executive leadership. Prior to becoming a nurse, Afenya obtained a marketing degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She is a fierce advocate for the advancement of Black women in leadership and entrepreneurship.

 

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In the Community 

Chicago Funding Opportunities Available Now

• Business For All Grant 
  
• Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Round 2 (English & Spanish) 
• Connect2Capital on ChiBizHub
• I Fund Women Grants 
• Neighborhood Opportunity Fund
• Small Business Administration Loan Forgiveness
• Support Latino Biz Impact Fund Grant (English & Spanish)

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Facebook's Elevate Circles

Elevate Circles is a 6-week mentorship program that groups 3-4 small businesses with a Facebook mentor to help optimize their digital marketing strategies. The mentors provide a combination of webinar training and hands-on support through office hours. You can expect to learn: 

• Ads Manager 1010
• Creative Best Practices
• Customer Targeting
• Measurement & Reporting 

In order to participate, fill out the brief 5-minute application below so you are paired with an appropriate mentor. Depending on the demand, not all businesses will immediately be paired with a mentor, however, the goal is to partner as many businesses as possible.

Apply Here!

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Aplica Aquí!

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Shop Local & Support Small, Chicago



Add your business to 37 Oaks' Master Small Business List

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A Note to Resource Providers 

ChiBizHub averages 1,000 visitors monthly, take a moment to add your events and online workshops to our calendar!




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