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Friday, October 24, 2025
Staying Ready: How Smart Founders Protect Their Business from the Unexpected
Running a business in a community as vibrant as Lincoln Square Ravenswood means more than great ideas and good coffee—it means balancing growth with resilience. Smart founders understand that risk management isn’t about paranoia; it’s about preparation. Whether you’re running a retail shop on Lincoln Avenue or scaling a tech startup nearby, anticipating risks helps you protect what you’ve built. TL;DR Risk management = foresight, not fear. Identify, quantify, and prioritize threats before they
Wednesday, September 24, 2025Starting a Home Services Business: Key Steps, Tools, and Tactics for Long-Term Success
You're transitioning from skilled laborer or freelancer to entrepreneur. Whether you’re a plumber, home cleaner, HVAC tech, or landscaper — launching your own home services business means gaining independence, but also facing a new set of operational and marketing challenges. This guide breaks down the practical strategies you’ll need to go from your first booking to long-term growth. Define Your Core Services and Target Market Start by identifying which specific services you’ll offer — and which
Thursday, July 10, 2025Open a Restaurant Without Going Broke: Practical Moves That Cut Costs, Not Corners
Starting a restaurant is thrilling—but financially brutal if you go in unprepared. It’s not just the ovens and permits. It’s the small, constant decisions that tip you into debt or keep you above water. Whether you’re plotting a corner taco spot or a sleek new bistro, the same question haunts everyone: how do you open without burning through your life savings? It starts with strategy. You can open lean. You can stay sane. But only if you treat every dollar like it has a job—and every decision like it has
Thursday, December 12, 2024Chicago, IL Businesses: What to Know About the CTA, BOI and FinCEN Changes
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. However, filing your Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report will help you avoid fines
