Business Mentoring

The Economic Development Council of the Bloomington-Normal Area is currently accepting applications for the fourth round of our business mentoring program, Circles of Seven (C7). C7 is a unique program designed to provide small and medium-sized business owners the opportunity to be mentored by a seasoned business person. The mentorship experience is conducted in a group setting with five other individuals seeking the same mentorship experience. C7 groups meet each month for a nine-month period to discuss a wide variety of business issues.

 

Entrepreneurs benefit through the relationships they build with others in their groups. They have an outlet to discuss business struggles or frustrations with others who may be experiencing similar hardships. Mentors offer wisdom and knowledge acquired from their experiences with growing their businesses. The program also offers an avenue for the sharing of new ideas and insight.

 

The next session of C7 will begin in September 2010. There is a $20 application fee and a $75 program fee. To register, download the application and send it to the EDC by August 1st. For more information, contact Brooke Weishaupt at brooke@bnbiz.org or (309) 452-8437.

 

The EDC is offering something new with the next session: specialized groups. We are considering specialized groups for:

 

• web-based businesses
• those who have a full-time job AND run a business
• west-side businesses
• rural-based businesses
• business owners working towards a college degree
• home-based businesses
• start-up businesses
• retail business owners
• non-profit directors

 

We will also continue to offer general/uncategorized groups.

 

 

Congratulations to our 2010 C7 graduates:

 

Erik Barnlund - Mavidea Technology Group, LLC

Martha Burk - Main Gallery 404, Inc.

Jim Carroll - Churchill's Formalwear

Hombre Darby - News & Views for the Young at Heart

Chuck Fisher - Fisher Driving School

Peg Hayden - Blooming Grove Academy

Cathy Heissler - Learning for Tomorrow, Inc.

Amy Hyunh - Le Bow Wow Club, Inc.

Chad Jones - CJ Photo

Brad Kalavitinos - Le Scent Studio

Maria Kemp - Decadence Bakery & Pastries

Paul Komar - American Business Solutions

Rosemary Komar - American Diversity Business Solutions

David McCloud - The Organic Cleaning Machine, Inc.

Chad Ritchie - Ritchie Law Office

 

  

 

The EDC's strategic plan has as its foundation a concentration on local business retention and expansion. Eighty percent of all new jobs will come from local companies over the next several years. The EDC's ability to assist these local companies with expansion, job creation and capital investment is at the core of its mission.