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November Free Webinars
From Vision to Action: Building Your Winning Business Plan
November 12th 2025
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Presented by Erika Gonzalez, Executive Director, 36Squared Business Incubator
Turn your ideas into action! Learn the key steps of business planning — from market research to financial projections — and walk away with a clear roadmap to grow your business. A strong business doesn’t just happen; it’s built on a solid plan! We’ll cover the essentials of planning without the jargon, so you leave with the confidence, tools, and strategies to move your business forward. Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your business to the next level, this session will help you create a roadmap for success.
Register
Ways to Finance Your Business
November 14th 2025
9:30 am to 11:00 am
Presented by Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and CIBC Bank USA
Whether you are a business owner or thinking about starting one; this webinar will teach the basics about bank financing. You will receive information about loans, lines of credit and other available resources that can help you on your entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, you will learn about the BACP Entrepreneur Certificate Program as a resource that makes you eligible to apply for CIBC Bank USA’s Entrepreneur Loan. Register
Empower Hour: Max Candle
November 20th 2025
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
This month’s Empower Hour will feature BACP Chief Small Business Officer Lotika Pai chatting with Pauline Sylvain-Lewis (CEO) and Markell Sylvain (COO) of Max Candle
As we approach the holiday season, the shopping spirit focuses on the small businesses that are the heart of communities. Max Candle Co., located in the Roseland community, produces high-quality and eco-friendly scented candles, as well as aromatherapy products used to be tools for relaxation, healing, uplighting, and support. Also, Max Candle is a minority-owned makerspace and retail business that uniquely integrates workforce development, small business support, and community revitalization—all from the heart of Chicago’s Far South Side. As the only minority-owned makerspace in this part of the city, they fill a critical gap by offering an end-to-end solution for small businesses looking to bring their products to market. Their services span from product development to workforce hiring, and ultimately to retail placement—helping entrepreneurs move from idea to shelf efficiently and sustainably. The business participated in the Far South Community Development Corporation Storefront Pop-Ups, part of the BACP Small Business Storefront Activation Program.
The candid conversation will cover the start of the business, site selection, working with local business service organizations and preparing for the holiday shopping season The webinar will end with a Q&A for attendees to ask questions.
Register
Designed to Work: Why Every Business Is a Creative Process
November 21st 2025
9:30 am to 11:00 am
Presented by National Association of Women Owners (NAWBO) member Melissa McAtee, Partner at elbē interactive
Running a business isn’t just about spreadsheets and strategy — it’s one big creative experiment! Every decision starts with imagination and evolves through trial, error, and a whole lot of thinking outside the box. In this Design to Work session, we’ll explore what the creative process really looks like in business — how ideas form, how to nurture them, and how to keep that spark alive, especially when the day-to-day gets messy. We’ll also look at how the creative mindset extends into the digital world — where immersive experiences are changing how people connect with ideas and with each other. Because no matter your business, creativity isn’t just something you have; it’s how you see, build, and reimagine your work every day.
Register
Empower Hour: Scratch Goods
December 18th 2025
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
This month’s Empower Hour will feature BACP Chief Small Business Officer Lotika Pai chatting with Maureen McClure and Elizabeth Leipold, Co-owners of Scratch Goods.
We shine a holiday spotlight on Scratch Goods, known for its interactive, guided skincare experience the Mask Bar, located Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. The core of the business stems from their product line, established in 2011 - simple and handmade skincare made with gentle, food-grade ingredients. Their space in the West Loop is both a retail space for skincare shopping AND an event space. Their ticketed event, the Mask Bar, is open for booking on their website - guests book a table with friends for an hour in their sunny, plant-filled space, where they're led through an interactive skincare experience involving hot towels, handmade skincare, and customized treatments for all skin types.
The candid conversation will cover the start and growth of the business, customer retention, product ingredients, and preparing for the holiday shopping season. The webinar will end with a Q&A for attendees to ask questions.
Register
Please email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org with any webinar questions.
Visit BACP’s YouTube for all webinars.
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