Have you ever wondered how businesses find contracting opportunities with the State of Illinois? Or where state agencies post bids and purchasing opportunities? This is your chance to get clear, practical guidance on navigating Illinois BidBuy. Join the Illinois APEX Accelerator Center at Bradley University and Johnny Rodriguez from the Illinois Commission on Equity and […]
Small business owners wear many hats, but repetitive tasks shouldn’t slow you down. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to use Gemini to automate and streamline everyday business workflows so you can focus on growth instead of busy work. We’ll walk through practical, real-world examples of how entrepreneurs are using Gemini to draft emails, […]
Your data is talking. Are you listening? Artificial Intelligence has changed the game. You no longer need to be a math whiz to understand your website. This beginner-friendly workshop shows you how to pair Google Analytics with AI to turn raw traffic into clear business insights. Stop guessing and start growing with tools that highlight […]
Google has officially rewritten the rules for business owners, marketers, and operators. We are moving rapidly out of the "chatbot era" and entering a new landscape of automated, interconnected tools designed to handle complex workflows for you. This webinar will pull back the curtain on the critical updates sweeping across the Google business ecosystem. We’ll […]
This workshop shows you how to leverage AI-driven tools to turn YouTube into a high-speed growth engine for your business, even if you’re starting from zero. Video isn’t optional anymore-it’s how today’s customers learn, decide, and buy. This workshop shows you how to leverage AI-driven tools to turn YouTube into a high-speed growth engine for […]
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 […]
Your business is full of valuable information — proposals, contracts, SOPs, reports, meeting notes — but too often those documents sit unused. In this intermediate-level workshop, you’ll learn how to use NotebookLM to transform your existing business documents into clear insights, decisions, and action plans. We’ll walk through how to upload and organize key materials, […]
Before the business, there’s YOU—and that’s where smart founders start. Before you commit time and money, take a step back and assess your readiness. You’ll evaluate your goals, skills, support network, and resources to understand what it really takes, what it really could cost, and where to focus next. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: Our Speaker: Amy […]
BEFORE THE BUSINESS: Build and Test Your Business Model Canvas helps aspiring entrepreneurs avoid moving forward before understanding how the business will actually work. In this hands-on workshop, participants will pressure test their idea, identify customers, clarify value, explore revenue and costs, spot gaps, and uncover assumptions before investing time, money, and energy into launch. […]
If your business isn’t on Google, you don’t exist to the modern customer. But today, "being on Google" means more than just a pin on a map. It means being the answer when AI-powered search engines recommend the best local spots. This workshop walks you through how to build a high-performing Google Business Profile that […]
Creating consistent, high-quality marketing materials can be time-consuming — especially when you’re running a small business. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to use Nano Banana to quickly generate polished marketing assets that support your sales and growth goals. We’ll walk through how to create social media graphics, promotional visuals, campaign creatives, and branded […]
Small business owners wear many hats, but repetitive tasks shouldn’t slow you down. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to use Gemini to automate and streamline everyday business workflows so you can focus on growth instead of busy work. We’ll walk through practical, real-world examples of how entrepreneurs are using Gemini to draft emails, […]
