Business Academy

Business owners who participate in our training programs will improve their business by developing strategies that will positively impact their profits. At GSDC we understand that financials are not the only important element in a business; therefore, additional training and workshops are being developed to complement business owners’ needs. 

The benefits of being part of our training programs are:

  • Participants have access to GSDC resources that can benefit anyone seeking to start, establish and/or grow a business.
  • Access to our GSDC Partners
  • Access to Networking opportunities
  • Personal professional development 
  • The audience is local business owners and entrepreneurs from the southwest side of Chicago with busy schedules, between the ages of 18 and older having a common goal to improve revenues and relationships with employees and customers.

Most of the training programs will have an orientation and registration day, where GSDC will provide an overview of the curriculum and goals.  In addition, GSDC will bring some guest speakers from different organizations such as Neighborhood Business Development Center, Small Business Development Center, and Special Service Area and additional partners to give access to resources that can help the participants of the program to develop and grow their business.

GSDC has partnered with Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce, Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative, and Rogers Park Business Alliance to train and/or connect businesses of color and of dual language to each other and our collective array of resources

Training Programs:

In our training programs, participants receive free tools that can be used the same day at their business and business owners will observe the positive impact immediately. 

Most of our training programs are expected to be completed in 4 sessions, where participants will meet one day a week for four weeks. In each session, participants will learn a module per session. Each module will last two hours, and these modules will be available in both English and Spanish.

The trainings that we offer are:

Basic Financials For Business : 

In these modules, participants will learn how to manage and understand the percentage of the cost of labor in proportion to their sales. Create or improve an inventory system, understand their operational expenses, create their own profit and loss reports, have access to a credit improvement program and learn from financial organizations how to have access to capital for business. 

  • Cost of Labor
  • Inventory and Cost of Goods
  • Operational Expenses
  • Profit and Loss Statement 
  • Credit Improvement 
  • Access to Capital 

The Basics of Employee Management : 

In these modules, participants will learn how to attract and recruit the best employees for their business, how to onboard these new employees to reduce turnover, and even create their own employee handbook. Additionally, employers will learn how to manage employee misbehavior and establish a corrective action plan as well as create an incentive program for the good employees. It will also help prepare employers for the unexpected employee leave, or transitioning from the business either for retirement or for another opportunity in place.

  • Recruitment 
  • Onboarding
  • Employee Development 
  • Offboarding

Partners & the communities served: 

■  Greater Southwest Development Corporation

Chicago Lawn, West Lawn, Gage Park, Ashburn, West Elsdon, Archer Heights, and Garfield Ridge

■  Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce

Englewood and West Englewood

■  Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative

Washington Park, Woodlawn, and South Shore

■  Rogers Park Business Alliance (Alumni Network Partner)

Rogers Park