Chicago Business Resources

Preparing for your appointment is optional, but if you do a little beforehand it greatly enhances the effectiveness of your mentoring session and you maximize the mentor’s ability... Read more

Use these templates, tools and resources to help with your business needs. Read more

Increase your sales this holiday season with our eight easy tips.

Every October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and this year, the two organizations behind the international campaign — the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) — are highlighting four key action steps that everyone can take to better protect themselves against cyber threats.

While survival was the name of the game for many small business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic, today’s entrepreneurs see a brighter future ahead. In Meta’s most recent Global State of Small Business report, small business owners in North America feel confident about surviving for at least another six months under present conditions. That’s good news for veteran-owned businesses strategizing how to grow to the next stage of success.

Operating a small business comes with many challenges. And, as you well know, attracting customers is undoubtedly one of them today. According to the latest Global State of Small Business report from Meta, while business owners face fewer challenges than they did at the beginning of the year, “lack of customer demand” remains one of the “most prominent challenges.”

Download this worksheet to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for your business. This information can help you outline goals and strategies for your... Read more

The sales forecast is the key to the whole financial plan, so it is important to use realistic estimates. Download SCORE's Sales Forecast template. Read more

Use this template to determine the differences between your target customers. Read more

Download this template to help you determine the responsibilities you will delegate and the essential qualities you need in your first employee. Read more

Nearly everyone who has ever started a business has underestimated the costs, and then faced the danger of running with inadequate capital reserves. The key to avoiding this... Read more

In order to reach, connect with and sell to your target market, you need to have a firm grasp on who they are. Conducting market research will help you develop a fuller picture of... Read more