SmallBusinessExecutiveInforming, Inspiring and Connecting Businesses
Illinois lags in development of women-owned business — but why?
Illinois might be ranked fifth in the nation in number of women-owned businesses, but the state has some catching up to do in other measures of business development. The number of women-owned companies in Illinois totals 366,700, putting it ahead of most states but behind California, New York, Texas and Florida, according to a new report [...]
Illinois organizations awarded for environmental efforts
Submitted by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center Twenty-five Illinois companies and organizations have been honored for their significant achievements in protecting the environment, helping sustain the future and improving the economy. The Governor’s Sustainability Awards were presented by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) during a luncheon Oct. 27 in Champaign. ISTC is a unit of [...]
50 ways to navigate business in China
By George Brown and David Hartman Guest Columnists In 1975, Paul Simon released a song titled “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” which, despite the promise of the title, offered only five such possibilities within the lyrics. We consider this to be a solid example of literary license (rather than outright deception) and will therefore follow [...]
State health plan covers pre-existing conditions
Eight months after government-run insurance plans took effect for those with pre-existing conditions, many consumers aren’t aware of their existence, The New York Times reported. The plans, which were required by health care reform legislation and are subsidized by $5 billion in federal funds, provide health insurance to those who have been uninsured for at [...]
Chicago’s sweet tooth keeps cupcake retailers in business
By Hallie Busta – Consumers may have cut back on spending during the recession, but they weren’t necessarily skipping dessert. Out of that indulgence emerged a growing appetite for cupcakes in the Chicago area, experts said. Red velvet, key lime, chocolate mint, apple cobbler and tiramisu. The combinations seem as endless as the businesses serving [...]
Five reasons to develop a plan for your business
By Lorene Kennard, Guest Columnist “Have a plan. Follow the plan. And you’ll be surprised how successful you can be.” – Paul “Bear” Bryant, former football coach, University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide. Even with the abundance of evidence about the importance of planning, many people still do not do it. Many entrepreneurs have great [...]
GrubHub nabs more growth capital
Watch for online restaurant delivery service GrubHub to continue adding jobs, now that it has raised $11 million in a new round of venture capital from Benchmark Capital in Menlo Park, Calif. The new funding, which brings to about $14 million the total investment capital GrubHub has raised, will allow the company to expand to new [...]
