Illinois SBDC (Small Business Development Center) at CMAA

The Economic Development Center at Chinese Mutual Aid Association (CMAA)'s inaugural Small Business Expo was truly impactful!?? With 45 incredible exhibitors and nearly 200 attendees, we saw firsthand the power of community support and collaboration. This event was more than an expo—it was an opportunity to network, discover resources, and support small businesses! It was a pleasure to have the Illinois SBDC State Director, Ericka White, MBA, MA, give a short speech and help with our raffle! A huge thank you to our generous sponsors, Fifth Third Bank, ComEd, and Cherry Bekaert, whose unwavering support and contributions helped make this event truly unforgettable! Special shout to Abigail Scanlan, Jonathan Catellani (JC), and Zuri Thompson for their continuous support and collaboration with our Center, we truly appreciate you all! Stay tuned for more exciting events from our Center! Together, let’s continue championing small business owners and entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and building a stronger, more vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem!?? CC: Chettha Saetia, Ian Quan, Edgar Jimenez, Jin Lee #illinoissbdc #illinoisapexaccelerator #53better #SmallBusinessSource #nbdc #cmaa #smallbusiness #chicagobusiness #entrepreneurship #businessexpo #networking #connections

The first day of our Business Accelerator Roadmap was a success!?? Our four-week Business Accelerator Roadmap is designed to help small businesses grow, scale, and reach new heights! With the unique integration of AI translation from our client, VowChats, we are happy to provide this Accelerator to a broader audience! With The Coleman Foundation and Nathan Stevens's generous support, we are thrilled to launch our first cohort! We are also excited for the lasting impact this Accelerator will have on these businesses, thanks to the expertise of our instructor, Michael Van! CC: Chettha Saetia, Ian Quan, Edgar Jimenez, Jin Lee #illinoissbdc #illinoisapexaccelerator #colemanfoundation #acceleratorprogram #SmallBusinessSource #nbdc #cmaa #smallbusiness #chicagobusiness #entrepreneurship

??One week left to register for our Women's Roundtable! Our event will feature a success panel of small business owners and entrepreneurs and booths of banks, government agencies, and prime contractors? Event Details: ??? Date: Tuesday, March 18th ?Time: 10am-1pm ?? Location: 6111 River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018 (Fifth Third Bank Center) ?? Registration: All attendees must register their names, as required by Fifth Third's security protocols. Please ensure you include the names of your guests, as failure to do so may result in denied entry on the day of the event. This event is open to all small business owners and entrepreneurs, do not miss out on the opportunity to hear real-life stories and learn tips on making your business successful! ??Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/ekkAkwDD CC: Chettha Saetia Ian Quan Edgar Jimenez Jin Lee #illinoissbdc #illinoisapexaccelerator #53better #SmallBusinessSource #nbdc #cmaa #smallbusiness #chicagobusiness #entrepreneurship #networking #buildconnections

TOMORROW is the last day to register for our Inaugural Small Business Expo! Come network with other small businesses, government agencies, and prime contractors! This is an opportunity you do not want to miss! ??Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/gcyrGjaz

Please join the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for an informational session on the Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3) Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant! In collaboration with various AAPI-focused organizations in Illinois, the Economic Development Center at CMAA is happy to share this opportunity so small business owners and entrepreneurs like yourself can learn about this fantastic grant opportunity! Please review the flyer for eligibility requirements. Webinar Details: ???Date: Monday, March 3, 2025 ?Time: 10:00-11:30AM ??Location: Virtual Be ready to learn about this grant that can elevate your business! ??Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/gsHaZNSZ #illinoissbdc #illinoisapexaccelerator #cmaa #IllinoisDCEO #smallbusiness #chicagobusiness #entrepreneurship #grant #grantassistance

??One week left to register for our Inaugural Small Business Expo! Our Expo will feature a pop-up market of our amazing small business clients and booths of banks, government agencies, and prime contractors? Event Details: ??? Date: Wednesday, March 5th ?Time: 10am-1pm ?? Location: 6111 River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018 (Fifth Third Bank Center) ?? Registration: All attendees must register their names, as required by Fifth Third's security protocols. Please ensure you include the names of your guests, as failure to do so may result in denied entry on the day of the event. Come network with entrepreneurs, banks, government agencies, and prime contractors to discover local small businesses and expand your professional network! Don't miss this chance to explore what others have to offer and expand your business knowledge. We can't wait to see you there! ??Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/gcyrGjaz CC: Chettha Saetia Ian Quan Edgar Jimenez Jin Lee #illinoissbdc #illinoisapexaccelerator #53better #SmallBusinessSource #nbdc #cmaa #smallbusiness #chicagobusiness #entrepreneurship #businessexpo #networking

Looking to grow your business? ?? As a Business Support Organization for the Cook County Small Business Source, we offer FREE expert advising, funding resources, workshops, and more to entrepreneurs and small business owners! Whether you're just starting or scaling up, we have the tools and support to help you succeed!?? ??Sign up to be a client and watch your business thrive: https://lnkd.in/gGdE_K77 CC: Chettha Saetia Ian Quan Edgar Jimenez Jin Lee #cmaa #SmallBusinessSource #TheSource #smallbusiness #ChicagoBusinesses #BusinessGrowth #BusinessAdvisory #SmallBusinessSupport #Entrepreneurship

Are you a small business owner looking to grow your business??? Join the Economic Development Center at CMAA's first Business Accelerator Roadmap! This 4-week Accelerator program is designed for established business owners aiming to expand and scale their companies. Additionally, we'll host a Pitch Competition at the end of the program, giving you the opportunity to showcase your business to potential investors and partners! Do not miss out of this opportunity!?? Sign up today: https://lnkd.in/gu_yZAiT CC: Chettha Saetia Ian Quan Michael Van Edgar Jimenez Jin Lee

??The Economic Development Center at Chinese Mutual Aid Association is happy to have supported the founder of 8 Lucky Forests, Michelle Wee, in elevating her business! With the support of our director, Chettha Saetia, 8 Lucky Forests was able to develop a new strategy and double revenue in 2024! Shoutout to National ACE’s Capital Readiness Program, powered by the Minority Business Development Agency - U.S. Department of Commerce, for introducing us to such a delightful client! We are so proud of the growth of 8 Lucky Forests and look forward to continuing to work with Michelle!??

??Looking to take your business to the next level? Don't miss National ACE's free webinar series: AI for Small Business Owners! Over three informative weeks, you'll discover useful strategies to integrate Artificial Intelligence into your business, helping you: -Boost Efficiency by automating tasks and saving valuable time -Enhance Decision-Making with data-driven insights -Stay Competitive by leveraging cutting-edge AI tools tailored for small businesses -Grow Your Revenue through smarter marketing and customer engagement ?Sign up today and unlock the potential of AI to transform your business: bit.ly/ace_ai