Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle Announces the Launch of Catalyst Grant to Support Businesses that are Ready for Growth
The Cook County Small Business Source is proud to introduce the Catalyst Grant, an opportunity for up to 88 established businesses in select industries to receive $100,000 to fuel their next stage of growth. To be eligible, businesses must be located in Cook County and operate in one of the following industries: Construction Finance and insurance […]
Ms. Jetsetter takes flight thanks to Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council
Tracey McGhee’s Chicago-based business, Ms. Jetsetter, is taking flight around the country. Open since 2019, Ms. Jetsetter offers a wide array of travel accessories for women who are frequent travelers, including totes, toiletry bags and makeup cases. As Tracey works to sell her products at a variety of retailers, the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council […]
Meet The Source’s 2025 referral partners
The Cook County Small Business Source is pleased to announce its selection of over 30 referral partners for 2025. These organizations will serve as referral partners through November 15, 2025. The Source’s referral partners are nonprofit, business-facing organizations with a footprint in suburban Cook County. They connect small businesses to the no-cost advising, informative events […]
Sweet success: Business advising provides perfect recipe for growth of Molly’s Cupcakes
Launching a new venture can feel overwhelming, even for an experienced entrepreneur like Doriana “Dori” Isufi. Despite her success operating eight Molly’s Cupcakes locations across Chicagoland and more than 20 years of expertise in the hospitality industry, Dori was facing hurdles while trying to bring her newest project to life. That’s when she turned to The […]
Uplifting seniors, uplifting entrepreneurs: The power of business advising
By Elena Jaffe Yvette Lyles is an advocate for seniors—determined to ensure that they have someone fighting in their corner. After years of working in senior health care, she witnessed how many seniors did not have an advocate to hear their concerns and support them with transitioning to a new stage of life. Her Chicago-based […]
Better together: How two Source clients teamed up for success
Juan Carlos Hernandez is a meticulous, creative business owner. He had run his fine-art printing business, Print Innovation Lab, out of his home in west suburban Oak Park for about seven years. His business had outgrown his space, but did he really need to open a brick-and-mortar location? Would it be cost efficient? The questions […]
Applications open for 2025 Source Referral Partners
The Cook County Small Business Source invites new and renewing nonprofit organizations to apply to serve as a 2025 Referral Partner and strengthen our network to support small businesses. Since 2020, the Cook County Small Business Source has provided no-cost business advising, resources, events/webinars and grants to more than 28,000 small businesses throughout Cook County. We […]
Rebuilding after tragedy: How a party shop is thriving thanks to the Rogers Park Business Alliance
Reyna Gonzalez made a life-changing decision five years ago. She left her desk job in the corporate world, and she bought a store, Dulceria La Fiesta Inc., in the Rogers Park neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago. Then, disaster struck. “When we bought the business, the store burned 20 days into the business,” Reyna […]
Source announces two new BSOs
The Cook County Small Business Source is proud to announce the addition of two Business Support Organizations (BSOs). Builders Avenue and the Chinese Mutual Aid Association, both based in Chicago, have joined the BSO network, bringing the total number of BSOs to 13. All BSOs work to provide no-cost advising to small businesses throughout […]
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 […]
