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EPCC and Library Partner on March 5 Job Fair

The Evergreen Park Public Library has joined forces with the Chamber and other local businesses to host a Job Fair on Sunday, March 5, 2023. This event will offer valuable resources and information for job seekers, as well as opportunities for local businesses to recruit workers.

If you are looking for a seasonal or full time job, be sure to stop by the library on March 5.

✅  Wear professional dress and get a headshot taken.

✅  Bring a copy of your resume to share with an expert and get tips for polishing and improving the content.

✅  Meet and network with local business professionals who are looking for employees.

✅  Take advantage of other career resources, too!

No registration is necessary, and participation is absolutely free. We hope to see you there!

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Empowering HER with Resources: How Illinois Supports Women-Owned Businesses

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will celebrate Women’s HERstory Month throughout March 2022. DCEO, through its Offices of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) and Regional Economic Development (RED), will present virtual events featuring business resources and advice from women leaders, recognize women-owned businesses throughout the state, and showcase our commitment to investing in women. Please join us as we celebrate and elevate HER in Illinois!

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2022 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

(UTC-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)

Register for webinar

If you want to attend, register now. When your registration is approved, you’ll receive an invitation to join.

Host

Michelle Lura White

Agenda

Whether you’re already a woman business owner or aspiring to be one, please join us in a virtual panel event to learn about no-cost (free) resources to help promote your business, such as one-on-one business advising, business education programs, and online business directories. We’ll also share more about the advocacy and policy work being done behind the scenes to ensure women entrepreneurs have the support they need to be successful.

Welcome
• Kala Lambert: Southeast Region Manager, DCEO-Office of Regional Economic Development (RED)

• Michelle Lura White: Women’s Business Development Manager, DCEO-Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE)

• Vanessa Uribe: Deputy Director, DCEO-Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE)

Moderator
Valeri Werpetinski: Associate Director of Entrepreneurial Education, University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business’ Origin Ventures Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Panelists
• Darrah Perryman: Outreach and Marketing Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)-Illinois District Office

• Ericka White: Assistant State Director, Illinois Small Business Development Center (IL SBDC)

• Felicitas Cortez: Associate Director of the IL SBDC at the WBDC -South Suburbs, Women’s Business Development Center

• IB Majekodunmi: Founder, refinecltv

• Liem Le: Outreach Director, Goldman Sachs 10KSB

By registering and clicking submit, you agree to receive email updates from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DECO)-Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) and Office of Regional Economic Development (RED) on resources to help your business, events and news. You can change your mind at any time and unsubscribe from emails by sending us an email message to michelle.white@illlinois.gov to unsubscribe or by clicking the “unsubscribe” link located at the bottom of every email if the link is available.

Women’s Small Business Month Virtual Events

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will celebrate Women’s Small Business Month through the month of October. The Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) will present virtual events featuring business resources, important topics, and spotlights of women-owned businesses, showcasing our commitment to growing and investing in women-owned businesses statewide.

Webinars

Owning Their Future: Women Business Leaders Pave the Way Forward

Tuesday | October 26 |11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Please join the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity as they present “Owning Their Future: Women Business Leaders Pave the Way Forward”. We know women business owners and entrepreneurs have been disproportionately impacted by the effects of the pandemic, which is layered on top of existing barriers to entry and growth. Hear from women business leaders who have broken the glass ceiling and want to help you get your business to the next level.

Register now

Making It: Women Manufacturers Find Success

Wednesday | October 27 | 10:00 to 11:00 am

OMEE & Illinois SBDC presents Advancing the Development of Minority Entrepreneurship (ADME), an informative workshop experience where subject matter experts in the field of business share information with Illinois entrepreneurs to help them be successful. Listen to this dynamic panel of women manufacturers as they share best practices on breaking barriers and finding success in a male dominated industry.

Register now

 

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Small Business Marketing Series Provides Valuable & Timely Guidance in a Challenging Year

To celebrate Illinois Chamber of Commerce Week in September 2020, the EPCC launched a series of online marketing seminars for local businesses. All were welcome to attend these free, informative sessions. These five sessions were held online, via Zoom, and we were able to successfully record three of them to share with you below.

Session 1: LinkedIn with Sara Klein of AAA

Sara Klein is an agent development specialist with AAA who uses LinkedIn to promote the auto club, share industry information, and expand her network of contacts. Unfortunately, we did not get a recording of her presentation, but we plan to post her slideshow here. Please check back!

 

Session 2: Facebook & Instagram with Yasha Sterling Management

Yasha Sterling is a digital marketing specialist who builds websites and enhances the social media presence of her clients.

 

Session 3: Direct Mail with Bruce Smith of B Allan Graphics

Bruce Smith is a director of the EPCC who has operated a full-service printing and design business for more than 30 years.

 

Session 4: Podcasting with Christopher Lanuti of the EP Podcast

Chris Lanuti is a broadcast journalist and founder of the EP Podcast. In his presentation, he shares insights on how to create and monetize a podcast to promote your business.

 

Session 5: Website + Google My Business + Email Marketing with Laurie &  Jim Cleary of The Argus Company

The Clearys are visual/verbal digital experts responsible for the EPCC website, emails, and other marketing materials.  While we don’t have a recording of their session, they shared their slide presentation and a link to free resources on their website.

Free resources for improving your digital marketing