Little Munchkins: A small corner store with big plans
Little Munchkins Produce, a small, family-owned grocery store in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on Chicago’s Southwest Side, is a classic neighborhood corner store. Teresa Flores, the owner of this bustling shop, runs her small business with the support of her husband, Gilberto, and children, Christopher and Mayte. Little Munchkins has been in operation […]
Introducing Cook County Solar Synergy, designed to help businesses enter the solar-installation market
Is your business ready to enter the solar-installation market? The Source is here to help. Cook County Government recently launched Cook County Solar Synergy, a program that connects small businesses with The Source–and all the resources they need to become solar-panel installers. Builders Avenue, a new Business Support Organization (BSO) with The Source, will provide […]
Important 2024 Source Grant Notification: 1099 Tax Form Correction
On January 25, 2025, the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), the grant administrator for the 2023 Cook County Source Grant, mailed you an IRS Form 1099-NEC. The purpose of this form was to provide you with the information necessary to report the grant income on your 2024 taxes. The 1099-NEC form which you received […]
Get Ahead of 2025: Essential Tax Prep Tips for Small Business Owners
The new year is here, and it’s time to turn your attention to one of the most critical aspects of running a successful business: taxes. While the April filing deadline may still seem far off, getting a head start can save you from last-minute stress and position your business to take advantage of future financial […]
How your local convention and visitors bureau can elevate your business
In 2023 more than 112 million visitors came to Illinois alone, bringing in roughly $47 billion in spending and adding $4.6 billion in state and local taxes. In Cook County, 9.8% of employment was in the hospitality and tourism industry, a figure projected to grow by 3% by 2027. So, can small businesses tap into […]
A glow-up from the ground up: How one entrepreneur opened ‘the glam headquarters of Berwyn’
Laura Santoyo likes to call her colorful cosmetics shop, Date Nite Beaute, “the glam headquarters of Berwyn.” She built the business from the ground up four years ago and is eyeing even more growth in the coming years. Her warm, inviting storefront represents her dreams becoming reality after she came to a crossroads while working […]
‘It takes a village’: How no-cost business advising is helping one business grow locally and abroad
Mohammad Salehi opened his business, Heray Spice, approximately seven years ago. Since then, he has navigated a pandemic, made changes to his targeted customer base, and supported his employees in the U.S. and his home country—all while raising two young sons with his wife. Thanks to support from Allies for Community Business and the Cook County Small Business […]
Riveting Wellness Cosmetic Solutions: Bolstering a beauty business from within
Rebecca (Becky) Wilson is a beauty vet. She’s been in the cosmetology industry for over 16 years as a stylist, instructor, and, most recently, a hair loss specialist. However, her journey to find her niche and build her business, Riveting Wellness Cosmetic Solutions, was not easy. Becky has always loved to work with clients, starting […]
Source teams up with Women’s Business Development Center for webinar series
The Source is collaborating with the Women’s Business Development Center to host a free webinar series titled “The Source x WBDC” that runs through mid-December. Webinars will provide small businesses with key information related to contracting with Cook County Government, as well as offer expert insight related to credit, marketing, grants and access to capital. […]
Meet The Source’s 2024 Referral Partners
The Cook County Small Business Source is pleased to announce its selection of Referral Partners for 2024. Over 35 organizations will serve as Referral Partners through Nov. 1, 2024. Referral Partners are Cook County nonprofit business-facing organizations with a substantial footprint in suburban Cook County that connect businesses to no-cost advising, a calendar of events and other resources.
