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SUMMARY:Starting Your Business in Illinois Workshop
DESCRIPTION:This in-person workshop is for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to learn all the components of how to start a successful business in Illinois. Get a realistic view of the requirements to start a business and the resources available to support your new venture. While attending this no cost 2-hour workshop\, you will learn how to get your business name registered\, where to obtain a tax ID number\, which legal form to choose\, business planning\, taxes\, financing options and much more! After attending the workshop\, our team of certified business advisors are available to work with you\, one-on-one\, to navigate the process and help you succeed! This workshop is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University and co-sponsored by Morton Community Bank. After registering\, you will receive a confirmation email. All of these workshops are in-person. \n\n\n\nREGISTER TODAY\n\n\n\n\n2026 Schedule\n\n\n\n\nWednesday\,  January 21 | 10:00AM—12:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center\, 801 W Main Street\, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register\n\n\n\nWednesday\,  February 18 | 9:00AM—11:00AMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center\, 801 W Main Street\, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register\n\n\n\nWednesday\,  March 18 | 3:00PM—5:00PMBradley University – BECC 1130\, 1422 W Main Street\, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register\n\n\n\nWednesday\,  April 15 | 9:00AM—11:00AMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center\, 801 W Main Street\, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register\n\n\n\nWednesday\,  May 13 | 1:00PM—3:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center\, 801 W Main Street\, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register\n\n\n\nWednesday\,  June 10 | 3:00PM—5:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center\, 801 W Main Street\, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you are unable to attend one of the in-person events above\, please watch the on-demand recording of the State of Illinois’ introductory guide for entrepreneurs wanting to start a business in Illinois below\, prior to meeting with a business advisor. \n\n\n\nView On-demand Recording\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor more information\, please contact the Illinois Small Business Development Center at illinoissbdc@bradley.edu or call 309.677.2992 (ask for Amy\, if prompted).
URL:https://theturnercenter.org/event/starting-your-business-in-illinois-workshop-apr-26/
LOCATION:Peoria NEXT Innovation Center\, 801 W Main Street\, Peoria\, IL\, 61606\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-Person
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DTSTAMP:20260514T062112
CREATED:20260311T153808Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T153810Z
UID:10003726-1776353400-1776358800@theturnercenter.org
SUMMARY:AI Essentials for Business Owners  Understand It. Use It. Grow With It.
DESCRIPTION:AI Essentials for Business Owners: Understand It. Use It. Grow With It. \n\n\n\nArtificial intelligence is no longer a future-forward concept; it’s a practical tool available to every business owner right now. But knowing where to start\, which tools to trust\, and how to make AI work for your specific business is a challenge that stops most people before they begin. \n\n\n\nIn this dynamic\, hands-on session\, AI consultant and trainer Melissa Duff Brown breaks down the essentials in a clear\, approachable\, and immediately applicable way. You will leave with a working understanding of how AI tools actually function\, a confident framework for choosing and using the right platforms\, and real use cases you can implement in your business the very next day. \n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Learn: \n\n\n\n\nWhat Large Language Models (LLMs) are and how they generate results\n\n\n\nThe mindset shift required to use AI effectively and responsibly\n\n\n\nA side-by-side comparison of ChatGPT\, Claude\, and Gemini\, and when to use each\n\n\n\nHow to build your “Business Brain”: a personalized AI profile tailored to your voice and goals\n\n\n\nPractical use cases in sales\, market research\, data management\, and business analytics\n\n\n\n\nWho This Is For: \n\n\n\nSmall business owners\, entrepreneurs\, and professionals ready to move beyond curiosity and start using AI with confidence. \n\n\n\nFormat: In-person with hybrid (Zoom) option | 90 minutes | April 16\, 3:30–5:00 PM \n\n\n\nLocation: Bradley University\, Business and Engineering Convergence Center\, Room 1122\, Peoria\, IL \n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nOUR SPEAKER:  Melissa Duff Brown \n\n\n\nMelissa Duff Brown is a strategist and Director of Strategy at Joseph Business Services and Carver Cloud\, where she architects data-driven growth initiatives and AI-powered transformation for entrepreneurs\, mid-market firms\, and public-sector partners that deliver measurable impact. She is known for making complex topics simple\, aligning innovation with SBA standards\, and turning strategy into measurable outcomes. With more than two decades of experience across accounting\, banking\, and hospitality\, she blends financial discipline with practical creativity to improve marketing\, operations\, and customer experience. Her approach is data-driven and people-focused: clear frameworks\, playbooks\, and safeguards for cybersecurity and privacy so owners can adopt AI confidently. \n\n\n\nMelissa advises on AI readiness\, cloud strategy\, strategic planning\, and process improvement; designs governance plans; and mentors entrepreneurs. She serves in leadership on several boards\, reflecting her commitment to economic and community development. Whether supporting a startup or modernizing an established firm\, Melissa’s promise is straightforward: practical tools\, guidance\, and results that strengthen revenue\, capacity\, and impact.
URL:https://theturnercenter.org/event/ai-essentials-for-business-owners-understand-it-use-it-grow-with-it/
LOCATION:Bradley University Business and Engineering Convergence Center – Room 1130\, 1422 W Main Street\, Peoria\, Illinois\, 61606\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-Person
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