Resources for Businesses, Nonprofits, and Job Seekers

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Keys to Starting Your Own Business

"Keys to Starting Your Own Business" is an informational guide for prospective business owners. Collected within are resources, basic information, videos, book lists, and contact information for business and government authorities.

Library Resources

The Business Collection at Lake Forest Library houses books on:

  • Finance and Economics (Dewey Call Numbers 330–339)
  • Business and Management (650–659)
  • Find print magazines on business topics and newspaper back issues here.

Where is the Business Collection? When facing the Circulation Desk in the Rotunda, turn right to enter the Reference Room, and the Business Room is in the back right corner.

Online resources include:

Community Resources and Networking

 

Informational

 

Network and Get Help

 

LifeWorking CoWorking Fresh Start Business Incubator

     Email: StrategicAlliance@mylifeworking.com

     Phone: 847-457-2662

     Address: 717 Forest Avenue, 2nd Floor, Lake Forest, IL 60045

     Get mentored, find a supportive community, learn about funding options, and get a helping hand in starting your business.

 

Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce

Phone: 847.234.4282

     

Small Business Development Center at CLC

SBDC at CLC
19351 W. Washington St.
Grayslake, IL 60030
Room E186
Phone: (847) 543-2033
Fax: (847) 223-9371
illinoissbdc@clcillinois.edu

Find local organizations on Biz Hub at https://startupspace.app/hub/BizHubLakeCounty

 

Women's Business Development Center and Innovation Learning Lab - wbdc.org

          8 S Michigan Ave # 400, Chicago, IL 60603

          (312) 853-3477

 

Business Network International (BNI) 

       The world’s largest networking & referral organization for businesses and professionals.

Phone: 815.345.1902

BNI North Chicagoland

 

Job Center of Lake County

Phone: 847.377.3450

 

Lake Forest Career Resource Center

Phone: 847.295.5626

Email: info@CareerResourceCenter.org

 

Illinois DCEO Business Information Center

Phone: 800.252.2923

Email joseph.mckeown AT illinois.gov to sign up for the weekly DCEO Northeast Region Newsletter which includes opportunities, webinars, and programs for business success in Illinois.

 

SCORE

      Find a Score Mentor

      Or, find a workshop. 

 

Small Business Administration (SBA)

Illinois District Office

Phone: 312.353.4528

Email: answerdesk@sba.gov

SBA Illinois District Office

View the Resource Guide, read through their 10 Steps to Start Your Business article.

 

Lake County Partners

Phone: 847.597.1220

 

BusinessUSA

      Chat

      Call toll-free at 1-844-USA-GOV1 (1-844-872-4681)

      Or, check out the small business information guides