Business Education
BACP offers free business education webinars every Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning. Topics include business licensing, operations, financial resources, marketing, and more. Programs are free and open to the public and taught by industry professionals, not-for-profit agencies, and government agencies.
The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) is committed to providing accessibility for all individuals, including people with disabilities. To request accessibility, please contact BACP at BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org, 312-744-6060. Although we will always work to fulfill your accessibility need, in order to ensure the best quality service is provided, we ask that you make request no later than 3 business days in advance of the event.
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) Entrepreneur Certificate Program is a free and optional program available to attendees of the free BACP business education workshop and webinar series. For program details (enrollment, requirements, contact information, etc.) and to enroll go to Entrepreneur Certificate Program.
Disclaimer: This does not make your business certified with the City of Chicago. If you are interested in the City of Chicago M/W/VBE Certification program, please visit Chicago.gov/DPS.
Upcoming Webinars
Wednesday, 12/6 at 3:00 PM
City Inspections - Ask Questions, Get Answers
Presented by the City of Chicago
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, Department of Public Health, and the Department of Buildings will provide insight on how operate a compliant business in the City of Chicago. Topics covered will include how to prepare for inspections, building permits and sign display requirements, food inspection overview and necessary certificates, and zoning review procedures. Learn how to operate safely and avoid common setbacks.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Inspections
Register for the 12/6
Friday, 12/8 at 9:30 AM
How to Write a Business Plan. What you need to know!
Presented by Donna R. Rockin, Managing Partner of Rockin Enterprises, Inc.
Learn how to create a comprehensive business plan. It's easier than you think when you understand all the components that get included. You'll receive a complete list of what to include to demystify the process. Writing a solid business plan is your roadmap to business success.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category:Business Planning, Business Operations, Marketing
Register for the 12/8 Webinar
Wednesday, 12/13 at 3:00 PM
Building your Value Proposition
Presented by Score Chicago
Without a value proposition, it is difficult to cultivate a market and to develop a business model to deliver the value of the business.
The Business Model Canvas is a powerful Business planning tool that helps entrepreneurs to strategize and execute. The 9 modules form an agile snapshot of key business domains that lay the foundation for viability. Among these modules, the Value Proposition is one of the most important. During this presentation, you will be introduced to the Business Model Canvas and be led through an exercise to articulate your own Value Proposition.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Business Planning, Technology, Marketing
Register for the 12/13 Webinar
Thursday, 12/14/2023 at 9:30 AM
Overview of Chicago’s Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance
Presented by Miguel Campos, Assistant Director, Office of Labor Standards
On November 9, 2023, the Chicago City Council passed the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance (the “Ordinance”). The Ordinance guarantees up to five days of paid time off and five days of paid sick leave for all of Chicago’s workers. Employers and workers are encouraged to join this webinar for an overview of the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance, topics discussed will include eligibility, accrual rates, potential payouts, carryover, employee usage, and employer paid time off policies. In addition, there will be a Q&A session at the end.
Register for the 12/14 Webinar
Jueves, 12/14/2023 a las 11:00 AM
Descripción General de la Ley/Ordenanza de Ausencia Pagada Y Tiempo Pagado de Enfermedad y Seguridad de la ciudad de Chicago.
Presentado por Miguel Campos, Subgerente de la Oficina de Normas Laborales
El 9 de noviembre de 2023, el Concejo Municipal de Chicago aprobó la ley/ordenanza de Licencia Pagada y Licencia Pagada por Enfermedad y Seguridad (la "Ley/Ordenanza"). La Ley/Ordenanza garantiza hasta cinco días de licencia pagada y cinco días de licencia pagada por enfermedad para todos los trabajadores de Chicago. Se anima a empresarios y trabajadores a unirse a este seminario web para obtener una visión general de la Ley/Ordenanza de Licencia Pagada de Chicago y Licencia Pagada por Enfermedad y Seguridad, los temas discutidos incluirán la elegibilidad, tasas de acumulación, pagos potenciales, traspaso, uso del empleado y políticas de tiempo libre pagado del empleador. Además, habrá una sesión de preguntas y respuestas al final.
Registrarse para el seminario web
Thursday, 12/14 at 2:00 PM
Empower Hour: Christmas Everyday
This month’s Empower Hour will feature BACP Commissioner Ken Meyer chatting with Cassandra Lewis, President of Christmas Every Day.
We shine holiday spotlight on Christmas Every Day, a local nonprofit that is a participant on the BACP Nonprofit Capacity Building program. Christmas Every Day's mission is to share benevolence year-round, lighten and lift heavy hearts, bring smiles to sad faces, and comfort those in need of hope. One gift bag of joy at a time. Our vision is to restore families and communities by continually providing essentials that will better their daily living in desperate conditions.
The candid conversation will cover the start of the nonprofit, nonprofit operations, nonprofit capacity building, and utilizing resources. The webinar will end with a Q&A for attendees to ask questions.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Elective
Register for the 12/14 Webinar
City Inspections - Ask Questions, Get Answers
Presented by the City of Chicago
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, Department of Public Health, and the Department of Buildings will provide insight on how operate a compliant business in the City of Chicago. Topics covered will include how to prepare for inspections, building permits and sign display requirements, food inspection overview and necessary certificates, and zoning review procedures. Learn how to operate safely and avoid common setbacks.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Inspections
Register for the 12/6
Friday, 12/8 at 9:30 AM
How to Write a Business Plan. What you need to know!
Presented by Donna R. Rockin, Managing Partner of Rockin Enterprises, Inc.
Learn how to create a comprehensive business plan. It's easier than you think when you understand all the components that get included. You'll receive a complete list of what to include to demystify the process. Writing a solid business plan is your roadmap to business success.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category:Business Planning, Business Operations, Marketing
Register for the 12/8 Webinar
Wednesday, 12/13 at 3:00 PM
Building your Value Proposition
Presented by Score Chicago
Without a value proposition, it is difficult to cultivate a market and to develop a business model to deliver the value of the business.
The Business Model Canvas is a powerful Business planning tool that helps entrepreneurs to strategize and execute. The 9 modules form an agile snapshot of key business domains that lay the foundation for viability. Among these modules, the Value Proposition is one of the most important. During this presentation, you will be introduced to the Business Model Canvas and be led through an exercise to articulate your own Value Proposition.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Business Planning, Technology, Marketing
Register for the 12/13 Webinar
Thursday, 12/14/2023 at 9:30 AM
Overview of Chicago’s Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance
Presented by Miguel Campos, Assistant Director, Office of Labor Standards
On November 9, 2023, the Chicago City Council passed the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance (the “Ordinance”). The Ordinance guarantees up to five days of paid time off and five days of paid sick leave for all of Chicago’s workers. Employers and workers are encouraged to join this webinar for an overview of the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance, topics discussed will include eligibility, accrual rates, potential payouts, carryover, employee usage, and employer paid time off policies. In addition, there will be a Q&A session at the end.
Register for the 12/14 Webinar
Jueves, 12/14/2023 a las 11:00 AM
Descripción General de la Ley/Ordenanza de Ausencia Pagada Y Tiempo Pagado de Enfermedad y Seguridad de la ciudad de Chicago.
Presentado por Miguel Campos, Subgerente de la Oficina de Normas Laborales
El 9 de noviembre de 2023, el Concejo Municipal de Chicago aprobó la ley/ordenanza de Licencia Pagada y Licencia Pagada por Enfermedad y Seguridad (la "Ley/Ordenanza"). La Ley/Ordenanza garantiza hasta cinco días de licencia pagada y cinco días de licencia pagada por enfermedad para todos los trabajadores de Chicago. Se anima a empresarios y trabajadores a unirse a este seminario web para obtener una visión general de la Ley/Ordenanza de Licencia Pagada de Chicago y Licencia Pagada por Enfermedad y Seguridad, los temas discutidos incluirán la elegibilidad, tasas de acumulación, pagos potenciales, traspaso, uso del empleado y políticas de tiempo libre pagado del empleador. Además, habrá una sesión de preguntas y respuestas al final.
Registrarse para el seminario web
Thursday, 12/14 at 2:00 PM
Empower Hour: Christmas Everyday
This month’s Empower Hour will feature BACP Commissioner Ken Meyer chatting with Cassandra Lewis, President of Christmas Every Day.
We shine holiday spotlight on Christmas Every Day, a local nonprofit that is a participant on the BACP Nonprofit Capacity Building program. Christmas Every Day's mission is to share benevolence year-round, lighten and lift heavy hearts, bring smiles to sad faces, and comfort those in need of hope. One gift bag of joy at a time. Our vision is to restore families and communities by continually providing essentials that will better their daily living in desperate conditions.
The candid conversation will cover the start of the nonprofit, nonprofit operations, nonprofit capacity building, and utilizing resources. The webinar will end with a Q&A for attendees to ask questions.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Elective
Register for the 12/14 Webinar
Friday, 12/15 Webinar at 9:30 AM
How To Better Engage And Expand Your Customer Base in 2024
Presented by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) members Faith Hurley and Stacy Callighan, the Co-founders of PinPoint Collective
It’s no longer enough for us as founders, business owners, or leaders to make vital business decisions based on mere assumptions about what we THINK people want. As we gear up for 2024, regardless of your industry or whether you offer products or services, start the year by getting to know your audiences better. Join us in this session, where we will talk about understanding your consumers' 'why,' driven by their authentic and individualized concerns and needs - the things that genuinely matter to them and fuel their purchasing behaviors. Use these insights to mold your branding, services, offerings, and messages to engage and expand your audience base.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Business Planning, Business Operations, Marketing
Presented by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) members Faith Hurley and Stacy Callighan, the Co-founders of PinPoint Collective
It’s no longer enough for us as founders, business owners, or leaders to make vital business decisions based on mere assumptions about what we THINK people want. As we gear up for 2024, regardless of your industry or whether you offer products or services, start the year by getting to know your audiences better. Join us in this session, where we will talk about understanding your consumers' 'why,' driven by their authentic and individualized concerns and needs - the things that genuinely matter to them and fuel their purchasing behaviors. Use these insights to mold your branding, services, offerings, and messages to engage and expand your audience base.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Business Planning, Business Operations, Marketing
Wednesday, 12/20 at 3:00 PM
Business Licensing 101
Presented by City of Chicago Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP)
Learn about the City of Chicago business licensing process including required documentation, license application steps, and frequently asked questions.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Business Licensing, Business Planning, Business Operations
Register for the 12/20 Webinar
Friday, 12/22 at 9:30 AM
Get In The Know: Resources for Your Small Businesses
Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP)
Join us to learn more about the various business resources that the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection offers to existing or future entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their own businesses. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions towards the end of the webinar.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Business Planning, Business Operations, Financing Your Business
Register for the 12/22 Webinar
Business Licensing 101
Presented by City of Chicago Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP)
Learn about the City of Chicago business licensing process including required documentation, license application steps, and frequently asked questions.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Business Licensing, Business Planning, Business Operations
Register for the 12/20 Webinar
Friday, 12/22 at 9:30 AM
Get In The Know: Resources for Your Small Businesses
Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP)
Join us to learn more about the various business resources that the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection offers to existing or future entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their own businesses. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions towards the end of the webinar.
Entrepreneurial Certificate Category: Business Planning, Business Operations, Financing Your Business
Register for the 12/22 Webinar
BACP wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season. There will be no webinars on the following dates:
- Wednesday, December 27, 2023
- Friday, December 29, 2023
- Wednesday, January 3, 2024
- Friday, January 5, 2024
We look forward to providing webinars in the New Year!
Please email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org with any webinar questions.
Visit BACP’s YouTube for all webinars.