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Did you know that November is National Entrepreneurship Month? Supporting entrepreneurs throughout Cook County is The Source’s mission, and empowering entrepreneurs is at the heart of what we do every day. Explore how The Source and our partners are supporting small business owners in leveraging the resources they need to succeed—and more–below!

A glow-up from the ground up: ‘The glam headquarters of Berwyn’

Laura Santoyo, a seasoned makeup artist, made a bold decision during the COVID-19 pandemic to launch her own custom cosmetics business, Date Nite Beaute. 

Laura began her journey with support from her Source advising team at the Berwyn Development Corporation (BDC), and has since created the “glam headquarters of Berwyn,” a thriving storefront for her growing business located in the Depot District in Berwyn, IL.

Learn more about Laura’s relationship with the BDC – a partner organization with The Source -and how it helped her business soar, and discover how our network of expert advisors can help you, too!

Finance Friday: Small Business Finance Basics

Did you know that financial resources are one of the most sought-after assistance by entrepreneurs working with The Source? That’s why we’re launching “Finance Friday”- a virtual event to connect with experts and gain essential financial insights for your business.

In this kickoff session, Allies for Community Business (A4CB) Director of Community Lending Yessenia Diaz De Leon and Tarsa Washington, Manager of Business Coaching will discuss small business funding opportunities and how to apply. 

Don’t miss this chance to learn and connect - join us and take an important step toward securing the financial knowledge your business needs!

Friday, November 15

10:00 - 11:00 AM CT

Upcoming events

Leverage your local Convention and Visitors Bureau!

Did you know that in 2023 alone, more than 112 million visitors came to Illinois, bringing in roughly $47 billion in spending? Are you ready to get your piece of the pie? Connect with your local convention and visitors bureau (CVB)! 



Cook County is partnering with the five suburban CVBs for an initiative called Cook County Tourism Alive. Tourism Alive connects a collective of CVBs to address the industry's needs, support business owners, and promote local resources. Whether your business is a local catering company gaining valuable sales from a convention - or a unique gift shop that could be marketed to weekend visitors in the area, the opportunities are immense.

Celebrate National Entrepreneurship Month and Small Business Saturday

This National Entrepreneurship Month, The Source is celebrating the hustle, spirit, and resilience of our vibrant small business community. 

Help us spread the word - right-click to download and share this graphic with your entrepreneurial network, and let's inspire others to keep pushing forward with passion and most importantly - support!

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for Small Business Saturday on November 30th. Small Business Saturday has become a pivotal moment in the holiday shopping season, is your business ready? Show that you’re participating with free marketing materials from the SBA and American Express, available here.