Turner Center | Bradley University

Starting Your Business in Illinois Workshop
2025-12-10 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Peoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria, IL, 61606, United States
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 2-hour workshop, at no cost, 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! These events are sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University and co-sponsored by Morton Community Bank, SCORE Peoria and Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC). This workshop is intended for individuals who have not previously started/owned a business. No cost to attend; however, registration is required. Registration information will be shared with training partners. Presenters for all workshops: Eric Sampson, SBDC Director; Amy Lambert, Assistant SBDC Director; and Don Schwegel, Vice President-Commercial Banker, Morton Community Bank. All of these workshops are in-person.

REGSITER TODAY

2025 Schedule

Wednesday, June 11 | 3:00PM-5:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, July 23 | 10:00AM- 12:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, August 13 | 9:00AM- 11:00AMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, September 17 | 1:00PM-3:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, October 15 | 3:00PM-5:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, November 19 | 1:00PM-3:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, December 10 | 10:00AM- 12:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

If 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.

View On-demand Recording

Starting Your Business in Illinois Workshop
2026-01-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-18 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-15 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-13 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-06-10 15:00 - 17:00 | Peoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria, IL, 61606, United States
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.

REGISTER TODAY

2026 Schedule

Wednesday, January 21 | 10:00AM—12:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, February 18 | 9:00AM—11:00AMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, March 18 | 3:00PM—5:00PMBradley University – BECC 1130, 1422 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, April 15 | 9:00AM—11:00AMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, May 13 | 1:00PM—3:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, June 10 | 3:00PM—5:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

If 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.

View On-demand Recording

For more information, please contact the Illinois Small Business Development Center at illinoissbdc@bradley.edu or call 309.677.2992 (ask for Amy, if prompted).

What is a Chamber of Commerce?
2026-01-29 12:00 - 13:00 | IL
Do you wonder what your local Chamber of Commerce does? Many of us in the small business community are curious, too! Join us online as Madeline Herrman, Managing Director for Talent & Leadership Strategy, shares the mission and function of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce. She will tell us how the Chamber advocates for businesses of all sizes, helps businesses save money, and how Chamber membership can help your business achieve its goals. Madeline will also share ways you can get involved with the Chamber of Commerce through networking events, various committees, and leadership development opportunities.

REGISTER TODAY

In this webinar, you will learn:

What is a Chamber of Commerce?

How does it function and who does it serve?

Is it part of the government?

Does the Chamber issue business licenses or permits?

Where does it get funding?

How much does it cost to join a local Chamber of Commerce?

What resources can a business access by being a member?

Does it make sense for my small business to become a member?

Can non-members participate in Chamber Activities?

Our Speakers

Hosted by: Eric Sampson, Director, Illinois SBDC at Bradley University

Guest Speaker: Madeline Herrman, Managing Director of Talent and Leadership Strategy, Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce

Navigating Illinois DCEO Grants: What Small Businesses Need to Know Webinar
2026-02-05 15:00 - 16:00 | IL
This webinar provides a practical overview of grant opportunities administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) that may be relevant to small businesses. Participants will learn how to find current and past DCEO grants, understand eligibility requirements, and interpret key grant documents such as Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs). While grants are not always open for small businesses, this session will help attendees better assess whether a DCEO grant is a good fit when opportunities arise.

REGISTER TODAY

How to Find and Evaluate DCEO GrantsAn overview of where DCEO grants are posted, how to determine relevance, and what eligibility criteria to review first.

Understanding a NOFO and Key Grant RequirementsA breakdown of common NOFO sections, match requirements, and compliance considerations businesses often overlook.

What to Expect After You ApplyA high-level look at application timelines, award decisions, and grant administration responsibilities if funded.

Our Speakers

Lauren Gibson, AICP, has been with the IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) since 2021, and has been the Senior Regional Economic Development Manager for the North Central Region since July 2024. She began her career as an intern with the DCEO while completing her Masters of Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield in 2014. In the decade since, she has gained experience working in economic development and planning at both the municipal and county levels, leading projects related to business attraction and expansion, historic preservation, comprehensive and neighborhood planning, and data collection and analysis. She is passionate about bridging the gap between the worlds of planning and economic development as they share the same ultimate goal of improving the communities we call home.

Mark Adams is the North Central Region Manager for DCEO’s Office of Regional Economic Development (aka Team RED). Originally born in Easton, Pennsylvania, Adams moved to Bloomington-Normal in 2014. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois-Chicago in May 2018, and since then has worked for community development organizations, including Mid-Central Community Action and McLean County Regional Planning Commission, before finally joining “Team RED” in January 2025. He is passionate about helping small businesses become more financially stable and independent and is driven to help people where they are at. When he is not reading a book in his free time, he is likely playing with his two Boston Terriers Luna and Phoebe or hanging out with his wife.

Enhancing Customer Engagement with AI: Personalization and Predictive Analytics - SMART BRAND SYSTEM
2026-02-11 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
From email to ecommerce, AI is now the engine behind deeper personalization. Learn how to use AI to create tailored experiences, anticipate needs, and drive conversions without guesswork.

REGISTER TODAY

In this webinar, you will learn:

How AI tools personalize experiences at scale

Using customer data to predict behavior and drive timing

Ethical use of personalization in small business

Integrating AI into CRM and content delivery

Boosting retention and conversion with minimal manual work

Built for: Marketing managers, small business owners, and service providers who want deeper engagement without spending all day in their inbox

Deliverables:

AI Personalization Playbook

Predictive Engagement Flowchart

Data Readiness Checklist

CRM Integration Tip Sheet

Copy Templates for High-Converting Outreach

Our Speaker

Maria Elena Duron helps small business owners, content creators, and service providers grow with clarity, visibility, and smart AI strategy. As a Chief AI officer and nationally recognized Grow with Google Coach, she’s trained over 18,000 businesses to turn digital confusion into systems that get them seen, trusted, and chosen.

AI Strategy = Trust Strategy - Smart Brand System
2026-02-18 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
AI isn’t a side project anymore-it’s your operating system. In this session, we’ll unpack what it means to build an AI strategy that scales with trust, transparency, and transformation. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your AI use, this session shows how to do it responsibly, powerfully, and profitably.

REGISTER TODAY

In this webinar, you will learn:

Why every AI strategy needs trust as a foundation-not a follow-up

How to identify weak links in your current systems and signals

The difference between AI features and AI infrastructure-and what small businesses actually need

How to communicate your AI use clearly so customers and partners say yes, not “no thanks”

Real-world examples of trust-driven AI strategies that improve operations and visibility

Built for: Small business owners, service providers, and consultants who want to lead with clarity and build AI strategies that go the distance

Deliverables:

AI Readiness Diagnostic PDF

Trust Mapping Worksheet

Signal Clarity Checklist

Communication Templates for Transparent AI Use

Bonus Guide: 3 Visibility Wins That Come From Responsible AI

Our Speaker

Maria Elena Duron helps small business owners, content creators, and service providers grow with clarity, visibility, and smart AI strategy. As a Chief AI officer and nationally recognized Grow with Google Coach, she’s trained over 18,000 businesses to turn digital confusion into systems that get them seen, trusted, and chosen.

YouTube To Grow Your Business - Grow with Google
2026-02-25 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
Video isn’t optional anymore-it’s how today’s customers learn, decide, and buy. This workshop shows you how to turn YouTube into a powerful growth engine for your business, even if you’re just getting started. From setting up your channel to running simple video ads, you’ll get the exact steps to show up with confidence and clarity on the world’s second-largest search engine.

REGISTER TODAY

In this webinar, you will learn:

How to create and set up a YouTube channel for your business

What types of videos to post and how to organize them for impact

Tips for growing your audience and increasing video visibility

How to run video ads that promote your products and services effectively

Built for:

• Small business owners ready to tap into video marketing

• Entrepreneurs who want to grow their brand presence on YouTube

• Creators and marketers who want to turn views into real business growth

Our Speaker

Maria Elena Duron helps small business owners, content creators, and service providers grow with clarity, visibility, and smart AI strategy. As a Chief AI officer and nationally recognized Grow with Google Coach, she’s trained over 18,000 businesses to turn digital confusion into systems that get them seen, trusted, and chosen.

Customer Surveys Made Simple Hybrid Event
2026-02-25 12:00 - 13:30 | IL
This session gives small business owners a practical introduction to creating effective customer surveys. Participants explore survey types for current vs. potential customers, learn how to write clear and useful questions, and walk through building and sharing a survey in Google Forms. The workshop also covers organizing and interpreting responses and ends with guidance on turning your data into actionable decisions.

This is a hybrid event, you may attend in person at Bradley University, or online by Zoom.

REGISTER TODAY

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION:

Types of Surveys: Current Customers or Potential Customers?

How to formulate effective survey questions..

How to design and distribute a survey using Google Forms.

How to capture, organize, and interpret responses.

Once you have the data, now what?

Our Speakers

Eric Sampson, Illinois SBDC at Bradley University, Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University, advises individuals who want to start a business or expand existing businesses. Guidance provided includes developing business and marketing plans, creating financial projections, addressing business formation issues, and obtaining financing. Eric also assists owners and managers of existing small businesses to identify solutions to business related problems, to examine strategic opportunities, expand their product portfolios, and enhance or diversify their sales efforts. His areas of interest include supporting entrepreneurs and local small business owners toward capital funding options, market expansion and improved profitability, and supporting growth, hiring and competitiveness through innovation and effective strategies. Eric received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Bradley University.

Chris Youngmark, Peoria Next Innovation Center, Director Peoria Next Innovation Center is a business incubator, featuring wet and dry laboratories, private offices, and shared coworking space for entrepreneurs and small businesses. In partnership with the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University, Peoria NEXT provides an affordable business environment, education, networking, and a host of amenities onsite, with support from Bradley University systems.

Taylor Long, Learning Management System Administrator, Bradley University Taylor Long is a learning technology professional with extensive experience supporting educators and professionals in using digital tools effectively. She works in higher education IT, primarily in learning management systems, instructional technology, and practical technology training that helps users work more efficiently and confidently. Taylor enjoys helping people understand not just what tools can do, but how to use them in real-world contexts.

Tax Topics for Small Business Owners in 2026 and Beyond
2026-03-03 12:00 - 13:00 | IL
Total Income Tax is providing a comprehensive webinar on tax topics important to small businesses. Small business owners always have plenty to do – planning for and filing taxes might seem overwhelming. This training event will help you plan ahead, get organized, and manage cash flow so you can avoid financial strain and alleviate stress at tax time each year.

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION:

*Starting Right

The value of tax planning

Tax impacts to consider when setting up your bookkeeping

Basics of tax reporting (What, When, How and Why)

Income Tax Reporting

Sales Tax Reporting

Deductibility of start-up expenses

Should you prepare your tax forms or hire a professional?

*Maintaining Good Practices

Good recordkeeping – know your numbers

Where to obtain timely, complete, and accurate information

Benefits of quarterly meetings with your accountant

Ways to retain earnings in your business

How to respond to a tax levy or garnishment

How to respond to a tax levy or garnishment

*What’s New for 2026

Form 1099 K Online Marketplace Reporting and Merchant Processing

Form 1099 DA (Digital Assets)

Notable changes due to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”

Sponsored by: Peoria Next Innovation Center, Women’s Business Development Center, Minority Business Development Center

REGISTER TODAY

Our Speaker

Guest Speaker: William Sharpe, President of Total Income Tax, has been in the tax business since he was 8 years old, when he started in the mailroom of the family enterprise. William has vivid memories of tagging along with his mother to help with whatever work needed to be done at the office. That’s how a family business operates – all hands on deck.

He began preparing tax returns in 1999 and spent the next several years shadowing Bill Sharpe, his grandfather and business founder, on a daily basis. This allowed William to not only pick up nuances of the income tax code, but it gave him a business role model. This experience was priceless, irreplaceable, and has helped him earn the role as Total Income Tax’s President.

William is an Enrolled Agent (E.A.) and a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist (C.T.R.S.). He is a member of the following associations: National Association of Tax Preparers, American Society of Tax Problem Solvers, National Association of Enrolled Agents and the Illinois Association of Enrolled Agents.

Make Better Decisions with Analytics - Grow with Google
2026-03-04 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
Your data is talking. Are you listening? This beginner-friendly workshop shows you how to turn website traffic into business insight so you stop guessing and start growing. No jargon, no overwhelm – just a clear introduction to what matters in Google Analytics and how to use it to move your business forward.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s working, what’s not, or what customers do after they land on your site… this session is your starting point.

REGISTER TODAY

In this webinar, you will learn:

What Google Analytics is and how to set it up correctly

The key metrics that tell the real story of your website’s performance

How to understand customer behavior—beyond just clicks

Ways to spot trends and use them to guide smarter decisions

How data can help you fine-tune your marketing, content, and offer strategy

Built for:

• Beginners ready to use data to improve their business

• Small business owners who want clarity without complexity

• Anyone who wants to start using analytics to grow with intention

Our Speaker

Maria Elena Duron helps small business owners, content creators, and service providers grow with clarity, visibility, and smart AI strategy. As a Chief AI officer and nationally recognized Grow with Google Coach, she’s trained over 18,000 businesses to turn digital confusion into systems that get them seen, trusted, and chosen.

AI + YouTube: Build Trust & Get Found in Video-First Search - Smart Brand System
2026-03-18 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
Learn how to promote your products online using Google tools. We’ll show how local brick-and-mortar businesses can list products on a Google Business Profile. We’ll also cover Google Merchant Center, a no-cost tool that allows both e-commerce and brick-and-mortar businesses to create free Product Listings on Google.

REGISTER TODAY

In this webinar, you will learn:

Highlight products on your Google Business Profile

Use Pointy to promote in-store inventory with your point of sale system

Use Google Merchant Center to showcase in-store and online product inventory

Our Speaker

Maria Elena Duron helps small business owners, content creators, and service providers grow with clarity, visibility, and smart AI strategy. As a Chief AI officer and nationally recognized Grow with Google Coach, she’s trained over 18,000 businesses to turn digital confusion into systems that get them seen, trusted, and chosen.

Starting Your Business in Illinois Workshop
2026-03-18 15:00 - 17:00 | Bradley University Business and Engineering Convergence Center – Room 1130, 1422 W Main Street, Peoria, Illinois, 61606, United States
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.

This event will take place at the Bradley University Business and Engineering Convergence Center – Room 1130. Parking available in Visitor’s Parking Lot (1310 W. St. James). View Map

REGISTER TODAY

2026 Schedule

Wednesday, January 21 | 10:00AM—12:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, February 18 | 9:00AM—11:00AMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, March 18 | 3:00PM—5:00PMBradley University – BECC 1130, 1422 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, April 15 | 9:00AM—11:00AMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, May 13 | 1:00PM—3:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

Wednesday, June 10 | 3:00PM—5:00PMPeoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W Main Street, Peoria 61606 MAP | Register

If 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.

View On-demand Recording

For more information, please contact the Illinois Small Business Development Center at illinoissbdc@bradley.edu or call 309.677.2992 (ask for Amy, if prompted).

#SBDC Day Open House
2026-03-18 16:30 - 18:00 | Bradley University Business and Engineering Convergence Center – Room 1130, 1422 W Main Street, Peoria, Illinois, 61606, United States
#SBDC Day Open House

🎉 Small businesses power our community — and we’re celebrating YOU!

Join us for #SBDCDay Open House at the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship and connect with the team dedicated to helping entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale.

📍 Bradley University – Business & Engineering Convergence Center, Room 1150📅 Wednesday, March 18, 2026⏰ 4:30–6:00 PM

SBDC Day is a nationwide celebration of the impact Small Business Development Centers make across America — supporting dreamers, innovators, and doers just like you.

Stop by to:✔️ Meet the Illinois SBDC & International Trade Center team✔️ Network with fellow business owners✔️ Enjoy refreshments✔️ Enter to win one of THREE door prizes

Bring your business cards and your entrepreneurial spirit!

Follow #SBDCDay and join the national conversation celebrating small business success.

Questions? Contact Jennie Hale at jeh@bradley.edu.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

AI-Driven Business Models: Transforming Your Strategy for the Future - Smart Brand System
2026-03-25 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
AI isn’t just a tool-it’s reshaping entire business models. This session explores how to leverage AI to innovate your offers, streamline operations, and stay ahead of shifting market dynamics.

REGISTER TODAY

In this webinar, you will learn:

Business model patterns emerging in the AI era

How to evolve your offer using AI tools and insights

Creating recurring value with automation and personalization

The mindset shift from expertise to intelligence-as-a-service

Strategic pivots to future-proof your value

Built for: Entrepreneurs, educators, and consultants ready to modernize their business model using AI as a growth engine

Deliverables:

Business Model AI Canvas

Our Speaker

Maria Elena Duron helps small business owners, content creators, and service providers grow with clarity, visibility, and smart AI strategy. As a Chief AI officer and nationally recognized Grow with Google Coach, she’s trained over 18,000 businesses to turn digital confusion into systems that get them seen, trusted, and chosen.

Launch Your Business with Customer-Focused Marketing - Grow with Google
2026-04-01 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
Having a great product isn’t enough-you need the right message, aimed at the right audience, delivered with purpose. This session is built for new entrepreneurs who want to launch with clarity, connect meaningfully, and build real loyalty from day one. Forget complicated funnels and cookie-cutter templates. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to build a brand customers believe in and come back for.

REGISTER TODAY

In this webinar, you will learn:

How to create a compelling, trust-building brand from scratch

Ways to define your target audience and speak their language

What it takes to convert curious visitors into committed customers

How to turn one-time buyers into loyal advocates

Built for:

• First-time founders and solopreneurs launching their business

• New entrepreneurs who want to market smarter, not just louder

• Anyone who wants to lead with value, connection, and clarity

Our Speaker

Maria Elena Duron helps small business owners, content creators, and service providers grow with clarity, visibility, and smart AI strategy. As a Chief AI officer and nationally recognized Grow with Google Coach, she’s trained over 18,000 businesses to turn digital confusion into systems that get them seen, trusted, and chosen.

Automate Business Workflows Using Gemini
2026-04-02 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
​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, generate proposals, create SOPs, organize customer information, summarize documents, build marketing assets, and more. You’ll leave with repeatable prompts, workflow templates, and a clearer understanding of how to integrate AI into your daily operations — without needing technical expertise.

​If you’re looking to save time, reduce costs, and improve productivity using AI, this session will give you the tools to start immediately.

REGISTER TODAY

Our Speaker

Maria Elena Duron helps small business owners, content creators, and service providers grow with clarity, visibility, and smart AI strategy. As a Chief AI officer and nationally recognized Grow with Google Coach, she’s trained over 18,000 businesses to turn digital confusion into systems that get them seen, trusted, and chosen.

Visibility Signals that Win in AI Search - SMART BRAND SYSTEM
2026-04-08 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
AI-powered search doesn’t see your content like a human. It reads structure, relevance, and trust. This session teaches you how to send the right signals to both AI and your audience—so you show up and get chosen.

REGISTER TODAY

In this webinar, you will learn:

What Google’s AI Overviews really pull from—and how to be included

The 3 types of signals that influence AI visibility

How to optimize your Google Business Profile, website, and content for machine readability

Real visibility case studies from small business clients

Tools and templates to clarify your messaging and signal authority

Built for: Service providers, local businesses, and digital marketers who want to future-proof their SEO with AI-ready structure and strategy

Our Speaker

Maria Elena Duron helps small business owners, content creators, and service providers grow with clarity, visibility, and smart AI strategy. As a Chief AI officer and nationally recognized Grow with Google Coach, she’s trained over 18,000 businesses to turn digital confusion into systems that get them seen, trusted, and chosen.

Building Marketing Assets Faster
2026-04-09 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
​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 content in a fraction of the time it typically takes. You’ll see practical examples of how entrepreneurs are using Nano Banana to move from idea to finished asset quickly — without needing a design team or advanced technical skills.

​By the end of the session, you’ll have repeatable workflows and real examples you can use immediately to accelerate your marketing execution, stay consistent, and bring campaigns to life faster.

REGISTER TODAY

Our Speaker

Maria Elena Duron helps small business owners, content creators, and service providers grow with clarity, visibility, and smart AI strategy. As a Chief AI officer and nationally recognized Grow with Google Coach, she’s trained over 18,000 businesses to turn digital confusion into systems that get them seen, trusted, and chosen.

Agentic AI: Building Autonomous Systems for Small Business Efficiency - SMART BRAND SYSTEM
2026-04-15 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
Go beyond chatbots and discover how small businesses can begin integrating agentic AI-autonomous systems that perform tasks, make decisions, and drive outcomes without daily oversight.

REGISTER TODAY

In this webinar, you will learn:

What agentic AI really means (and doesn’t mean)

How to identify tasks that can be automated end-to-end

Where to safely hand off decisions-and where to stay in the loop

Tools, workflows, and real use cases of agentic AI at work

How agentic systems create freedom without loss of control

Our Speaker

Maria Elena Duron helps small business owners, content creators, and service providers grow with clarity, visibility, and smart AI strategy. As a Chief AI officer and nationally recognized Grow with Google Coach, she’s trained over 18,000 businesses to turn digital confusion into systems that get them seen, trusted, and chosen.

Turning Business Documents into Action Using NotebookLM
2026-04-16 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
​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, ask strategic questions across multiple documents, extract themes, summarize long reports, and identify gaps or opportunities hiding in plain sight. You’ll see how NotebookLM can help you synthesize information faster, prepare for strategic planning sessions, streamline operations, and make better data-informed decisions without hiring an analyst.

​Designed for growth-minded entrepreneurs who already have established processes and documentation, this session will help you move from information overload to operational clarity — turning what your business already knows into smarter next steps.

REGISTER TODAY

Our Speaker

Maria Elena Duron helps small business owners, content creators, and service providers grow with clarity, visibility, and smart AI strategy. As a Chief AI officer and nationally recognized Grow with Google Coach, she’s trained over 18,000 businesses to turn digital confusion into systems that get them seen, trusted, and chosen.

AI Essentials for Business Owners Understand It. Use It. Grow With It.
2026-04-16 15:30 - 17:00 | Bradley University Business and Engineering Convergence Center – Room 1130, 1422 W Main Street, Peoria, Illinois, 61606, United States
AI Essentials for Business Owners: Understand It. Use It. Grow With It.

Artificial 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.

In 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.

What You’ll Learn:

What Large Language Models (LLMs) are and how they generate results

The mindset shift required to use AI effectively and responsibly

A side-by-side comparison of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, and when to use each

How to build your “Business Brain”: a personalized AI profile tailored to your voice and goals

Practical use cases in sales, market research, data management, and business analytics

Who This Is For:

Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals ready to move beyond curiosity and start using AI with confidence.

Format: In-person with hybrid (Zoom) option | 90 minutes | April 16, 3:30–5:00 PM

Location: Bradley University, Business and Engineering Convergence Center, Room 1122, Peoria, IL

Register

OUR SPEAKER: Melissa Duff Brown

Melissa 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.

Melissa 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.

Webinar: 5 AI Tools Every Business Owner Should Have in Their Back Pocket
2026-04-22 12:00 - 13:00 | IL
Webinar: 5 AI Tools Every Business Owner Should Have in Their Back Pocket

There are over 12,000 AI tools out there — and that number grows every single month. No wonder most business owners feel overwhelmed before they even start.

Here’s the truth: You don’t need 12,000 tools. You need five.

In this session, I’m cutting through the noise and showing you the exact AI tools that belong in every business owner’s toolkit right now. These are the platforms I use daily, the ones I recommend to my clients, and the ones that will actually move the needle in your business — without the overwhelm.

We’re covering:

ChatGPT — The one everyone’s heard of, but most people aren’t using to its full potential. I’ll show you how to make it actually useful.

Claude — My personal favorite for deep thinking, writing, and strategy. If ChatGPT is your assistant, Claude is your thought partner.

Gemini — Google’s AI powerhouse that integrates with everything you’re already using. This one’s a sleeper hit.

NotebookLM — The research tool you didn’t know you needed. Upload documents, get instant insights, and never drown in information again.

Manus — The new kid on the block that’s changing the game. This AI agent doesn’t just answer questions — it actually completes tasks for you.

What you’ll walk away with:

✓ Clarity on which tool to use for what (no more guessing)

✓ Live demos so you see exactly how each one works

✓ Practical ways to start using them in your business this week

✓ The confidence to stop scrolling and start doing

This isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about building a toolkit that makes your business easier to run.

Stop drowning in options. Start with the five that matter.

REGISTER TODAY

OUR SPEAKER: Robyn “Jam” Anderson is the founder and CEO of Jam AI, an AI training company that has empowered over 1,500 small business owners and professionals to confidently integrate AI into their everyday work. A featured AI Training Partner for professional organizations across the country, Jam has earned a reputation for making AI exciting, accessible, and immediately actionable.

Jam AI offers AI consulting designed to upskill teams at a human level — meeting each employee exactly where they are on their personal AI journey. Rather than one-size-fits-all corporate training, Jam’s approach focuses on building individual confidence so every team member walks away with skills they can use the same day. Jam AI also runs Club Jam, a thriving membership community where entrepreneurs and professionals learn AI together through live weekly sessions, hands-on co-builds, and access to over 30 expert AI consultants. With 20 years of marketing experience and a gift for turning complex technology into something anyone can master, Jam doesn’t just teach AI — she makes you excited to use it.

AI Strategy That Scales: Build Smarter Systems That Grow With You - Smart Brand System
2026-04-29 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
Small business doesn’t mean small thinking. And in 2026, strategy isn’t just about what you post-it’s about how your systems talk to each other, how your team moves faster with AI, and how your business gets seen and trusted in a landscape run by machine learning and digital trust.

In this session, we’ll unpack the practical, no-fluff AI strategy that’s helping everyday business owners outpace competitors, lower workload, and finally scale without burning out or bloating the budget. This isn’t a tech talk. It’s a visibility and efficiency accelerator.

REGISTER TODAY

In this webinar, you will learn:

How to design an AI strategy that supports your real goals-not just shiny trends

The 3 visibility blind spots AI is exposing in small businesses (and how to fix them)

How to use trust signals, automation, and AI tools to fuel growth with fewer bottlenecks

Why you don’t need more tools-you need smarter workflows

The AI-powered visibility system that works while you sleep

Built for: Service providers, creators, and small business owners who are tired of patching tactics together and ready for a system that scale

Our Speaker

Maria Elena Duron helps small business owners, content creators, and service providers grow with clarity, visibility, and smart AI strategy. As a Chief AI officer and nationally recognized Grow with Google Coach, she’s trained over 18,000 businesses to turn digital confusion into systems that get them seen, trusted, and chosen.
