2. Small Business Development Center Highland Community College-Freeport Sauk Valley Community College-Dixon Of Northwest Illinois

3. Small Business Development Center of Northwest Illinois Northern Stateline Region Northern Stateline Region Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, Winnebago Northwest Region Northwest Region Jo Daviess, Carroll, Whiteside, Rock Island, Mercer, Henry, Bureau, Lee, Putnam, LaSalle Small Business Development Center of Northwest Illinois covers eight (8) counties in Northwest Illinois. Of the 46 SBDCs in the state Of Illinois, we have the largest physical territory. Covering more then 3100 square miles.

4. Our Funding SBA (Small Business Administration) Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities Sauk Valley Community College & Highland Community College

5. Who we help Business start ups Current business owners Agricultural owners Education/training programs

6. Business Start ups Feasibility study Business Plan Assistance with business plan Sounding board for ideas Assistance with loan packaging Grand opening

7. Business Owners Marketing Budgeting Training Record Keeping Management Time Management Financial analysis Human Resources Interviewing process Manual writing Debt assessment Team building On site visits

8. Education Programs Before You Start One on one counseling Business Plan Basics Building Blocks of Business Open business  Building Blocks of Business Take Charge Mentor Program Advisory Board Member Instructor for programs Business Start UpsBusiness Owners

9. Education Programs Young E’s Specialized Training

10. What’s it cost? One on One counseling-free Before You Start Seminar-free Help from people who care-priceless

11. What’s the first step Attend our Before You Start Seminar then call Call SBDC for an appointment Highland 815-599-3654 Sauk 815-288-5511 x 320

12. Fitting in To help those going into business or established in business Work with partners Part of the community to make our communities a better places to live and work

13. Partnerships Social Service Agencies Community Development groups Office of Tourism Local government offices State government offices Educational Institutions Correctional Facilities Federal offices Medical Professionals Legal Professionals Insurance Brokers Accounting Professionals Lending Institutions Private Investor Real Estate Brokers Many, many more…

14. Why bother? We have the tools to do this We have success stories to prove it We are your partners We are all in this together We want to!

15. Thank You! We are here to help people follow their dreams. Small Business Development Center of Northwest Illinois

16. Tidbits 50% off all new business fail in the 1 st 24 months of opening. Why? 83% off all new restaurants/bars fail within the 1 st year. Why? According to the SBA how many people are employed to be considered a small business? Where is all the grants/free money?