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 […]
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 take on solar-installation jobs. Builders Avenue, a new Business Support Organization (BSO) with The Source, will […]
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 […]