GROW
GET READY TO GROW
Thursdays from March 12 to April 30, 2026
6 – 8 p.m.
Virtual
No cost to participate.
There will also be an opportunity to attend a Capital Access Fair on April 30th.
As part of the registration process, a consultation is required. After completing the consultation, you’ll receive the Zoom link to join the webinars. Please use the link below to schedule your consultation.
GROW/PROGRESANDO’S curriculum teaches you what you need to know to develop your business. From creating, expressing, and delivering the product or services your customers and clients seek, the program will help you hone your business plan, expand your understanding of how to navigate the always-changing business environment, and provide you with expert guidance on implementing best practices and models that are key to your business’ sustainability.
Foundation Sessions
Thursdays from March 12 to April 30, 2026
6 – 8 p.m.
Virtual
No cost to participate.
Sessions are interactive and include:
- Business Model Development
- Entity Selection
- Naming, Intellectual Property, Trademark, Copyright, and Patents
- Business Formation
- Business Plan Writing and Pitch Development
- Finding and Leveraging Data for Business Success
- Budget Development, Cash Flow, Pricing Strategies
- HR, Operations, IT
- Marketing, PR and Social Media
- Sales
- Risk Management
- Business and Personal Financial Planning and How the U. S. Credit System Works
Our curriculum guides you in developing your idea and delivering sought-after services, refining your business plan and expertly navigating dynamic environments.
The sessions are designed to take a new business concept from idea to reality OR to help an existing business from normal to extraordinary.
GROW's mission is to provide entrepreneurs with the knowledge, ability, motivation and opportunity to be a successful business owner.
All sessions are via Zoom. The ability to connect to Wi-Fi, access video calls, browse the Internet, and edit documents online is recommended for this course. If you need technical help before the course starts, please let us know.
This program has no cost. The only investment we ask of you is your time and effort.
The group provided confidence because we were all following our dreams.
Thank You.
Mamello Tekateka, Participant
- Capital Access with Lenders
April 30 and November 12, 2026, virtual, 6 – 8 p.m.
Meet with bank representatives, lending partner organizations and crowdfunding experts to learn how you can get money for your business.
- Idea Contest
May 2 and November 14, 2026, in-person, 2 – 4 p.m. at the GROW/PROGRESANDO entrepreneurial training center, 7056 N. Clark St.
Share your business concept to an expert panel of judges.
Sheree Moratto
Sustainability Director
smoratto@rpba.org
312.529.0952
Are you ready to start, grow or refine your business? Meet Sheree! She coordinates our GROW/PROGRESANDO, manages RPBA’s Help Desk, is an advisor to Illinois SBDC at RPBA and can help you find the resources you need from small business loans to accountants, attorneys, etc.
