Small Business Development Center

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Hull House (SBDC) provides a wide range of small business training and counseling programs to new and existing businesses. In addition, each program site offers specific business programs targeted to the surrounding community. These include projects that help refugees obtain micro-loans to start or expand a business, or programs that encourage youth entrepreneurship at a local public high school.

As a funded partner of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and a member of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network, we operate in communities of need on the South and North sides of Chicago to assist in revitalizing local neighborhood economies and improving the overall quality of life. We work with new and expanding businesses to access the resources needed to operate a successful venture.

Individual Counseling
Small business specialists are available for free one-on-one counseling sessions with people interested in starting a business, expanding an existing business, packaging a loan application, or writing a business plan.

Small Business Training
Our Entrepreneurship Training Program (ETP) is a 10-week course that assists prospective or current business owners in compiling a comprehensive business plan. The class is for entrepreneurs who need the organizational skills to guide business growth or get a business off the ground.

Starting a Business in Illinois: Business Basics Workshop
This free seminar targets individuals interested in self employment. It provides information on how to start a small business, including advice for checking the feasibility of your business idea, the basics of writing a business plan, the different forms of business ownership, how to register your business, and other business start-up procedures and resources.  On the north side the workshop is held on the second Wednesday of every other month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. On the south side, the workshop is held on the second Tuesday of every other month from 6-8 p.m.

Small Business Workshops
Free workshops are taught by experts on a variety of specific business issues that include marketing, financing, legal structures, insurance, leasing space, sales, taxes, and record keeping.

Networking Events
Networking events are held in collaboration with other businesses and organizations in the community. These events encourage businesses to exchange ideas, make business contacts, and support one another. The Networking Events are typically held twice a year.

Cultural Enterprise Opportunity (CEO) Project
The CEO Project offers culturally-sensitive bilingual business training for Latino entrepreneurs. Classroom discussions are combined with individual counseling with a business mentor.

Refugee Opportunity Project
This program assists refugee entrepreneurs in selecting, starting, and growing a business. It uses a practical hands-on approach and offers a series of business development activities, including one-on-one counseling, access to loans and small group meetings.