By: Leo Boshardy
Small businesses and entrepreneurs from the DuPage County region utilize the Business Development Center as a resource for launching their start-up.
Illinois SBDC Program Manager Ute Westphal said businesses post-pandemic are ready to plan for success. In fiscal year 2023 alone, the BDC served 1,082 unique clients, supported 82 new business starts and awarded over $44 million in contracts.
“BDC began working with clients online in 2019 prior to the outbreak of the pandemic because we know that DuPage is a large area.” she said. “A business located in Bensenville might not have the afternoon to spend driving to and from Glen Ellyn for a meeting with us. That’s why we wanted to move online and research all the ways that would be possible.”
The BDC, which is part of the College’s Continuing Education division, offers three separate programs that provide advising and training to businesses looking to expand their market and reach a larger consumer base. These programs are the Illinois Small Business Development Center, Illinois APEX Accelerator and the Illinois International Trade Center. All three are designed to help businesses in every phase of their company’s growth and expand their respective markets.
We’re like the Student Resource Center on campus but for the community.
Ute Westphal
“There isn’t a single type of industry we won’t work with,” she said. “If you’re running a small business, it’s best for you to connect with us. We’re like the Student Resource Center on campus but for the community.”
DuPage and Chicago area companies that have benefited from the BDC’s many services include Local Honey Trove (Lisle), BioScan Tek (Wheaton), Chocolate Inspirations (Roselle), Gracie’s Petals (Winfield), Lantern Pizza Company (Downers Grove), Millie’s Pancake Shoppe (Addison) and Neuro Enterprises (Chicago).
Business advisors from SBDC helped Marisha and Tom Lewis, founders of Local Honey Trove, develop a plan for their business that adheres to local labor laws, zoning and more.
“We had five years of beekeeping experience and plenty of business ideas, but no idea how to implement them,” said Marisha. “Without the Small Business Development Center’s support, we wouldn’t be here.”
Westphal said COD hosts virtual and in-person events sponsored by the BDC throughout the academic year and summer months. Webinars and training events include talks on how to do business with the government, startup assistance, how to understand business taxes, tips on bookkeeping, marketing and social media strategy.
“It’s people’s tax dollars at work!” Westphal said. “We’re all very passionate about everything business. We have so many helpful tools available, there really is no reason for an up-and-coming business to not reach out to us.”