Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi Kathy:

You are most welcome!  Illinois is trying to be pro entrepreneur, but they are so bureaucratic, it`s difficult for their Entrepreneurship Center`s (ECs) to be useful to all of us. 

Chicago area has several ECs that may have grant money available.  The new fiscal year just began this month, so fresh money should be in place.  Each center has money for about 5 matching grants of up to $5000 each.  It`s a 50/50 match. 

If money is not available at one call another.  If that doesn`t work, call me.  I may be able to help.

Good luck on your move!

Ron

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Tanner Sold It
"No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care."
www.SellItForever.com

I was listening to the 10 Steps to Open for Business as well as talking to some folks who say that I should get a mentor to help me with my startup idea.  I want to open a boutique store (clothing) but don`t know how to find someone.  No store around me would be open to me asking as you can imagine.  I`ve gotten teh suggestion to try SCORE but I`m wondering if anyone else has ideas?  I`d love to talk with store owners to get their advice on how to set up shop.  Thank you!

I struggle with this too, Garfield.

It`s definitely all about networking. Your local Chamber of Commerce is a good place to get started, too. You`d be surprised how willing people are to help. While you might not get advice from your direct competitors, you could get some help from a clothing store owner who doesn`t sell to your target market or just someone that`s generally in retail.

There`s tons of options but it`s a tough thing to accomplish. Like anything else in business, it takes time - and us entrepreneurs are always impatient :-). What I`m aiming to do is to focus my energies into two or three local networking groups. I think regular attendance and involvement is necessary to really get some good contacts in this way.


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Dan Pickett
Principal
Enlight Solutions, Inc.

www.enlightsolutions.com
www.twitter.com/dpickett

Meetup.com has been a great resource for me when it comes to local networking. They have specific industry groups that meet face-to-face, locally. You could join a local entrepreneur group, a small business group, I even think I saw a group for people in the fashion industry. A little over a year ago, I was looking to network with people in my industry but there wasn`t a group set up in the suburban area I live in. I went ahead and signed-up to organize my own group. Within six weeks I had 17 members attending the first meeting. People were thanking me for starting the group. Over the year I`ve learned a lot from these folks and have given a lot of advice. I think if there is a fashion industry related group in your area, you`ll find your mentor. Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestions!  I will definitely look into them.  Hopefully, I`ll find someone willing to lend a hand.

Garfield:

Don`t know if you are still in need of assistance, but I`ve owned a women`s clothing boutique for almost 4 years, and I`d be happy to talk to you.  There`s a ton of things to know before you get into this business, and there`s really no one place to get the information. It`s really on the job training.  And mistakes are very costly.  Anyway, if you want to talk, let me know.

Lilyloohoo

How about accessing a mentor online?

 

We no longer need to be restricted by our geographical position!

I'm currently writing an e-book about how to make money from creative ideas, and need your advice.

 

Could you please tell me: What is your most pressing question about making money from a creative idea?

 

I have been in business for 25+ years, owned two successful fashion labels and two successful fashion boutiques in the western suburbs. I have taught Design and Management for over 9 years locally and overseas, and would love to have the opportunity to help you.

Your feedback is valuable to me. And as a gift for leaving your most pressing question, I'll happily send you a copy of the e-book ($29.97) when it's finished.

P.S. My name is Cheryl Widlend.                                                 

Please feel free to Google my name to find out more about me.

 

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I want to say that you have to find people who are already successful at what you are wanting to do and then taking them to lunch.

 

You can find them at chamber of commerce, BNI, Social media, SEMINARS (this is where I find mine).

I will only listen to what millionaires or better are doing in my field.

 

 

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If you feel out of control, confused, bored or stuck in your business, go to www.millionairementorsaccess.com to claim your free gift!