CHICAGO – Today, the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) announced the launch of “Behind the Business License.” The video series will feature in-depth conversations between City of Chicago Chief Small Business officer Lotika Pai, a Neighborhood Business Development Center and a small business owner. The individuals will offer insight and expertise on business resources available to current and future business owners. Each episode details a business owner sharing their real experiences of working with the City of Chicago and their local business service organization. The first episode will air on Tuesday, September 3 at 10:00 a.m. on Cable 25 and will also be uploaded to the BACP YouTube Channel. New episodes will air every other Tuesday, and re-runs will occur continuously on Cable 25. For more information, visit Chicago.gov/SmallBusinessAdvocacy.

"The Behind the Business License video series highlights the vital connections between local government, small businesses and community-level business service organizations,” said Ivan Capifali, BACP Acting Commissioner. “The series will showcase the stories of collaboration surrounding our small business ecosystem.”

The series brings awareness to Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC), which are BACP grant funded, and deliver no-cost highly specialized business programs and services that help entrepreneurs start, and business owners grow or sustain their small businesses, as well as assist their program peers to build their respective capacities. The long-standing program provides funding to nonprofit local business service organizations, such as economic development corporations and chambers of commerce, to deliver free and confidential business assistance programs that benefit communities in every corner of the city. The program ensures alignment with the ever-evolving needs of the diverse business community of the city.

“The conversations purposely take place at a local business because that is where the story unfolds,” said Lotika Pai, City of Chicago Chief Small Business Officer and BACP Managing Deputy Commissioner. “By sharing three different perspectives of Chicago’s small business ecosystem, we are letting business owners know there is support available at City Hall and in their community.”

The first episode will feature Jennifer Aguilar, Executive Director of Little Village Chamber of Commerce and Aldo Rios, Owner of El Churro Shop in Little Village. The addition of Chief Small Business Officer Lotika Pai rounds out the conversation and provides key takeaways for business owners and entrepreneurs as they launch or expand their business in Chicago. The conversation includes timely topics on site selection, community engagement, and industry trends.

“The Behind the Business License series is an exceptional and unique way to showcase the work of Neighborhood Business Development Centers, like the Little Village Chamber, and their role in serving local businesses,” said Jennifer Aguilar, Executive Director, Little Village Chamber. “Chicago’s small business owners can benefit from learning the multitude of services available to them in their own communities.”

“Participating in this conversation was an opportunity to share my story as a business owner and the business support system that helped me along the way,” said Aldo Rios, Owner, El Churro Shop. “I wanted to make sure the information was relatable and helped others who are ready to turn their passion into a business.”

To learn more about the NBDC program, visit Chicago.gov/NBDC.

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