Celebrate Small Business Week with the Chamber

This week is National Small Business Week, an opportunity for small business owners to take advantage of well-deserved recognition, education, and advocacy programs. From Washington DC to right here in our local communities, Small Business Week honors the contributions and achievements of the businesses that are the foundation of the US economy.

Northbrook Chamber Tools for Small Businesses

The Northbrook Chamber understands small businesses - around 85 percent of our members report having fewer than 25 employees. The Chamber offers a wealth of resources for these businesses throughout the year, providing marketing support, networking events, workshops, and mentorship. Small Business Week is a great time to put those resources to work for you!

• Explore northbrookchamber.org to discover tips and tools to help your business. Our Business Resources page provides helpful links to new government requirements. Browse our calendar of upcoming events to find the programs that best fit your interests and schedule. Log in to our Member Portal to share free ads for job openings or Hot Deals, sign up for events, or find contact information for fellow Chamber members.
• Build your brand with Chamber marketing opportunities. Participating as a hole sponsor at the Golf Outing and or an exhibitor at the Business Expo enables you to personally connect with a broad audience of community business leaders. Gold and Platinum upgrade packages include a variety of marketing platforms, including expanded website profiles, banner ads, and exclusive Member Spotlight email features.
• Make meaningful networking connections at Chamber events. Remember, people choose to do business with people they know, like and trust. The best way to maximize your membership is to personally get involved with our highly engaged community of business owners. Make the commitment to come to First Friday, Business After Hours, BizHUB, or Young Professionals in May.
• Need a place to meet with clients? The Chamber welcomes members to hold meetings here at our offices, conveniently located near downtown Northbrook. Contact the Chamber staff at (847) 498-5555 to confirm availability.

SBA Programs for Small Business Week

The US Small Business Administration hosts a free, educational Virtual Summit from April 30 - May 1. Sponsored by leading national companies as well as SBA and SCORE, this online event offers a variety of business workshops, networking opportunities, information on federal resources, and insights from expert speakers geared toward entrepreneurs looking to start and grow businesses. Sessions include:

• Accelerate Business Growth with the Help of AI (presented by Visa)
• Securing Your Small Business in a Work-From-Anywhere World (presented by T-Mobile)
• Learn About the No-Cost SBA T.H.R.I.V.E Educational Program (presented by SBA)
• Unlock AI’s Potential for Your Small Business (presented by Grow with Google)
• Building a Foundation for Online Marketing Success: Review, Plan, and Execute (presented by Constant Contact)
• Leveraging E-Commerce to Scale Your Business (presented by Amazon)
• How to Start a Food Truck Business: A Step-by-Step Guide (presented by SCORE)
• 8 Practical Skills to Run a Successful Business (presented by Visa)
• Small Business Strategies for Collaboration and Productivity (presented by T-Mobile)
• Navigating Your Cash Flow (presented by Chase for Business)
• How to Turn Your Side Hustle into a Business & Securing Your First Loan (presented by NerdWallet)
• Future of Commerce 2024 (presented by Square)
• My SBA (presented by SBA)
• How to Write a Grant Proposal for Your Business (presented by SCORE)