Registration & Schedule

Welcome to the Journey
Starting your own company... Trials, Tribulations & some success too!
-Nicole Stewart, Owner
Hartfield Book Co.
Business Plans: Your Playbook, Elevator Speech & Lifeline
Getting started, staying focused, building a plan to get there
-Don Elmore, Director
Illinois Small Business Development Center
Finding Your Mission, Vision and Values in Your Plan & Profile
How these can and should be reflected in your business practices and operations.
-Anne Matelonis, VP Marketing & Development
First State Bank
The Bootcamp Grant
Rules, regulations and helpful hints when applying for the Bootcamp Grant!
Callie McFarland
City of Monticello
Monticello: A Virtual Tour**
Great spaces, lots of potential! Find one that is perfect for your venture!
Callie McFarland
City of Monticello

Navigating Commercial Real Estate Agreements
Learn tips and expectations for both landlords and tenants
-Jill Guth, Owner
Guth & Associates
Taxes, Reporting, Payroll.. How to stay on top of accounting
Know your numbers and how to use them (and avoid surprises!)
Cover your... business- what type of insurance is necessary
Protect your assets without going overboard
-Shelley Crawford-Stock
Insurance Guru
(Re)Vamping your marketing strategy
Learn ways to effectively market your business... better!
-Natalie Kenny-Marquez, Owner
Grow Marketing + Communications, LLC

* Schedules are planned, but last minute changes may occur

Simple Steps for Starting Your Business... Legally
LLC, Corporation... which setup is best for you and what it means
-Tara Grabarczyk, Attorney
Law Office of Suzanne Wells
Understanding, not underestimating credit
How credit can help (or hurt) you
-Bob Guido, Commercial Loan Officer
Iroquois Federal Bank
A Man Walks into a bank...
How not to be a bad joke when asking for a business loan
-Ryan Lowrey, Commercial Loan Officer
Iroquois Federal Bank
How SBA Programs Can Work for You
SBA Programming to help finance your venture.
-Chris Crider, Monticello Community President
First Mid-Illinois

Find (& Build) Your Brand, Grow Your Business
Don't advertise harder, advertise better
Sharing (Advertising) on Facebook
How to effectively use Facebook... and "Like" the results
-Scott Clanin, Owner
Clanin Marketing
Where to go from here? Finding resources in your community
Where to find help if you get stuck- anywhere!
Callie McFarland
City of Monticello

Bootcamp Presentations (the fun part!)
Whether you're presenting or pitching your plan, let's hear about it!

Spring, 2020 Schedule