Workshops and Events

Learn how to balance work and home life, build trust with customers, and decide when it’s time to ask for help. Gain tips and strategies to manage a successful home-based business, whether you're currently running one or thinking about starting one.

Please note: This program is being offered by SCORE and you will need to register with them and provide them with your email address in order to attend. You will have the option to opt out of their mailing list when you register. Upon registration with the library, you will be sent the link to register with SCORE. The Zoom link for this program will come directly from SCORE. Upon registration with SCORE, every individual will receive a unique Zoom Link for the workshop. Please contact us with any questions or concerns. Thank you. 

Without clear financial systems, it can be difficult to understand where your money is going, maintain healthy cash flow or make confident decisions about your business. Building a strong financial foundation can help you organize your finances, monitor performance and prepare your business for future growth and funding opportunities.

In this webinar, you’ll learn essential financial management practices to organize finances, manage cash flow and prepare for business growth. We’ll explore how stronger financial systems can help you make informed day-to-day decisions, prepare for future funding needs and support sustainable business growth. You’ll also learn where business credit cards fit into a responsible financial management strategy.

In this webinar, you’ll learn:

• Why separating personal and business finances is essential
• How bookkeeping and budgets help track performance and guide decisions
• How financial statements help you understand profit, cash flow and business health
• What forecasts and financial records can prepare your business for funding
• How to use business credit cards responsibly to manage expenses and cash flow

AI has made it faster and easier for small business owners to manage routine financial tasks, understand their numbers and get answers to common bookkeeping and tax questions. But using AI for your finances comes with risks and knowing where AI can help and when to rely on accurate bookkeeping can help you avoid costly financial mistakes.

In this webinar, you’ll learn how to use AI more effectively and responsibly when managing your business finances. We’ll explore how AI can help you understand financial information, spot patterns and prepare for financial decisions. You’ll also learn where AI falls short, what information should always be verified and why accurate bookkeeping remains essential to maintaining a clear and reliable financial picture.

What you’ll learn:

• Four practical ways to use AI to support your business finances
• Prompts you can use immediately for common financial questions and tasks
• The limitations of AI tools to interpret your business’s financial information
• How to recognize when AI lacks the judgment needed to evaluate a financial question accurately
• Why accurate bookkeeping is the foundation for using AI effectively, verifying its recommendations and making informed financial decisions

Education Meets Industry brings together educators and business leaders in DuPage County to explore the evolving needs of the workforce and how education can prepare students for what’s ahead.

Join us for a discussion that will explore why DuPage County is seeing a talent shortage in high-demand fields and how it will impact your business and your workforce.

Presenters:

• Ryan Butt, Dean, College of Business and Graduate School Management, Lewis University
• Kip Kline, Ph.D., Vice President, University Advancement, Lewis University

The way your brain works can have a big impact on how you run your business. This workshop helps entrepreneurs understand executive functioning and learn practical strategies to improve productivity, reduce stress, and support long-term success.

Join us to learn how to use AI to streamline operations, make better decisions, and accelerate growth all while protecting your business from costly mistakes and emerging risks.

Please note: This program is being offered by SCORE and you will need to register with them and provide them with your email address in order to attend. You will have the option to opt out of their mailing list when you register. Upon registration with the library, you will be sent the link to register with SCORE. The Zoom link for this program will come directly from SCORE. Upon registration with SCORE, every individual will receive a unique Zoom Link for the workshop. Please contact us with any questions or concerns. Thank you. 

Join fellow business leaders from across DuPage County for The Business Solutions Exchange, an interactive event designed to bring businesses together to share experiences, discuss challenges, and uncover new ideas.

At this in-person event you will:

• Hear how a local business navigated challenges and found success

• Join a peer-led roundtable discussion focused on the topics that matter most to your business

• Collaborate with other business leaders to brainstorm solutions to real-world challenges

This is an opportunity to network, learn from others, share your perspective, and walk away with ideas you can put into action.

Access to capital can be a critical part of growing a business—but navigating the lending process can feel complicated. This webinar offers practical insight into how to use SBA lending to support growth, expansion and long-term success.

Attendees will learn:

• How to maximize the benefits of SBA loan programs
• What lenders look for when evaluating borrowers
• Steps businesses can take to position themselves for success

Whether you’re considering an SBA loan now or planning for future growth, join us to learn how the right financing strategy can help move your business forward.

Presenters:

• Ben Huels, AVP, SBA Business Development Officer II
• Ameel Sheth, AVP, SBA Business Development Officer II
• Roy Wright, VP, SBA Business Development Officer II