In light of COVID-19 all in-person counseling, workshops and classes are being suspended until further notice.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at West Side Forward provides training and technical assistance to new and existing small businesses, primarily on Chicago’s West Side and in the City of Chicago.

The center is certified by the state of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and funded through the federal Small Business Administration and is one of 36 SBDCs across the state of Illinois.

Monthly Trainings

We offer a variety of training and education opportunities, including workshops on starting a business in Illinois, marketing, financing, accounting, legal structure, taxes, technology, social media and business planning. Workshops are generally led by professionals working in the topic area of focus.

Technical Assistance/Individual Counseling
• One-On-One Business Counseling
• Business Feasibility
• Market Research
• Financial Analysis
• Business Planning
• Loan Packaging for Business Loans
• Technology Assistance