Rockford area’s resource agencies collaborating to help local entrepreneurs find the most direct route to a profitable business!
News & Events
Upcoming In-Person Classes
Rockford SBDC in-person workshops at Belvidere Chamber of Commerce in English and Spanish
ALL CLASS TIMES 5:00-6:00 pm in the chamber board room. (404 S State Street, Belvidere, IL 61008)
Digital Marketing 101 for Small Businesses ENGLISH
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Presenter: Edward Caceres, Rockford SBDC Director
During this webinar, learn the key aspects of digital marketing. discover the essential components of an effective online strategy, with tips on how to get started using a website, social media, and email marketing, to promote your business.
Digital Marketing 101 for Small Businesses. ENGLISH 7/7 SPANISH 7/14
Presenter: Heather Kelley~Business Consultant. Rockford SBDC/Shelby Flores, Business Consultant
During this webinar, learn the key aspects of digital marketing. discover the essential components of an effective online strategy, with tips on how to get started using a website, social media, and email marketing, to promote your business.
Financial Literacy for Entrepreneurs. Workshop
ENGLISH
Thursday July 21, 2022
Guest Speaker: Francisca Reyna / Vice President of Business Development & Education at Blackhawk Bank
Why you should care about start-up finance? ” I am a visionary”, you might say. “I don’t want to get bogged down in financial reports. That’s what bean counters are for. “Right? Wrong. You need to understand your numbers – to understand your business better, make better decisions, make fewer mistakes, and hopefully turn a little cash into a lot of cash.
Marketing Digital 101 para empresas
Spanish. NEW
Thursday July 14, 2022
Edward Caceres, Rockford SBDC Director
Durante este seminario, aprenda los aspectos clave de la publicidad digital. Descubra los componentes esenciales de una estrategia en línea efectiva, con consejos sobre cómo comenzar a usar un sitio web, las redes sociales y el márketing por correo electrónico para promocionar su negocio.
Financial Literacy for Entrepreneurs
ENGLISH 7/21 SPANISH 7/28
Educacion financiare para emprendedores
Spanish. NEW
Thursday July 21, 2022
Francisca Reyna / Vice Presidenta de Desarrollo de Negocios y Educación en Blackhawk Bank
¿Por qué debería preocuparse por la financiación inicial? “Soy un visionario”, se podría decir. “No quiero atascarme en los informes financieros. Para eso están los contadore.” ¿Verdad? Equivocado. Necesita comprender sus números: para comprender mejor su negocio, tomar mejores decisiones, cometer menos errores y con suerte, hacer mas dinero.
RLDC VetLoan Advantage Program Funding Options
To show its appreciation for the sacrifices our honorably discharged veterans have made in defending our country and the principles we hold dear and share, Rockford Local Development Corporation will pay the Bank Subordination Fee charged to any eligible veteran-owned business receiving an SBA 504 loan from the Rockford Local Development Corporation. Bank Subordination Fees vary based on project size and structure but can range from $500 to as much as $50,000 depending upon the loan size of the participating bank.
Cyber and Data Protection Awareness Training
Cybersecurity Guidance For Small Businesses
Small businesses are under cyber and data-breach attacks. This has grown even more true in the last few months given the current climate. Cyber attacks happen every day, and for a small business they can be very costly and cripple business operations. To help provide small businesses with the education and resources to protect themselves, America’s SBDC has developed a national cybersecurity program called North Star.
Small Business Digital Alliance Publishes Library of Free Digital Tools from National Members, Fortune 500 Companies Available to Small Businesses
In addition to the new digital tool library geared toward empowering entrepreneurs to scale their business, SBDA announces additional details of its first National Webinar.
Get help starting your business. BUSINESS FIRST brings together all stakeholders to explain regulations for starting your business in Rockford.
At a BUSINESS FIRST session, regulatory partners come together from city and county departments including Building & Construction, Zoning & Permitting, The Health Department, Rock River Water Reclamation District, and The Small Business Development Center to walk entrepreneurs through projects and provide them with information to get their business up and running while answering all of their questions. BUSINESS FIRST operates as a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs seeking to start their business in Rockford, IL.
Business First – Food Truck Webinar
The Business First partners have created a food truck webinar that provides a wealth of information that individuals will need to operate in Rockford. This pre-recorded webinar discusses a range of topics such as health and fire requirements, waste disposal, operation requirements, and licenses.
Our Rockford SBDC Consultants will be assisting entrepreneurs in the following locations:
- At the Parks Chamber, inside Loves Park City Hall every Wednesday from 9 am to 2:30 pm. (Inside Loves Park City Hall). One on One sessions in Spanish will be provided).
- At the Rockford Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce every Tuesday from 12pm to 4 pm (One on One sessions in Spanish will be provided).
- At the Belvidere Chamber of Commerce (NEW) in Belvidere every Tuesday from 10 am to 4 pm (business advice will be provided in English & Spanish as well).
Benefits of contacting your local SBDC include:
- No cost, one-on-one, confidential business advising
- Virtual business advising
- Training programs & workshops designed for small businesses
- Professional referral network
- Accessing to capital
- Technology development
Lifelong business partners
Read About the New Multi-County Entrepreneur Resource “Compass”
Testimonials
“Launch815 is helping us to navigate the process of transforming our great idea into a viable, marketable product!”
– Fran Pierce, Pierce Products –
Launch 815 Partners:
