The Economic Development Council of the Bloomington-Normal Area is currently recruiting individuals for the second round of its business mentoring program, Circles of Seven. Circles of Seven, or C7, is a unique program designed to provide small and medium-sized business owners the opportunity to be mentored by a seasoned business person. The mentorship experience is conducted in a group setting with five other individuals (protégés) seeking the same mentorship experience. C7 groups meet each month for a period of nine months to discuss a wide variety of business issues.

Entrepreneurs benefit through the relationships they build with others in their groups. Mentors offer wisdom and knowledge acquired from their experiences with growing their businesses. Protégés have an outlet to discuss business struggles or frustrations with others who may be experiencing similar hardships. The program also offers an avenue for the sharing of new ideas and insight.

There is a $20 application fee and a $75 program fee. The Downtown Bloomington Association is offering full scholarships to the first five DBA members interested in participating in this program. When registering for the program, let the EDC staff know if you are a DBA member. The application deadline is August 27th.

To register, contact Brooke Weishaupt at brooke@bnbiz.org or
(309) 452-8437. The program will begin in September.

“The EDC’s Circles of Seven mentoring program kicked off at the perfect time for me. My business is growing, and this unique program was very beneficial for me and helped me sort through the very difficult tasks involved in growing a business.”
-Aaron McArdle, Owner and President, Zeller Digital Innovations

Congratulations to our 2008 C7 graduates:

Clark Abraham, Eco-Lawn
Charles Anthony, Jamani Java, Inc.
Brad Barth, Trace Design Media
Jack Bataoel, Exit Realty and Rhino’s Nightclub
Ralph Bellas, Bellas Landscaping
John Carter, Jack Lewis Fine Jewelry
Teresa Ciulla, Unity Cosmetology
Jeff Curry, New Old Bank Inn
Vance Dossey, Lucky Lobster Seafood Co.
Clayton Geiser, Direct Connections International
Colby Geiser, World Painting Co.
John Hawkinson, Minuteman Press
Mary Bennett Henrichs, Integrity Technology Solutions
Chris Holderly, Advantage Lawn and Landscaping
Michelle Houchin, Adkisson Consultants
Matt Hughes, Mirus Research
Gwendolyn Husek, American Risk and Insurance Associates
Carolyn Jones, Blue Moon Marketing
Erich Maschhoff, Bank of Illinois
Poonam McAllister, Central Illinois Institute of Balance
Aaron McArdle, Zeller Digital
John Schirano, Prudential Financial
Eric Schlipf, Morgan Stanley
Andy Scott, Energistics
Angie Scott, Energistics
Julie Sidak, Central Illinois Insitute of Balance
Fred Spaulding, Fred Spaulding Builders
Julie Spaulding, Fred Spaulding Builders and Brad Barker Honda
Stephanie Weeks, Granite Transformations

Mentor of the Year Award:

Julie Dobski, owner of Little Jewels Learning Center and McDonald's Restaurants
and
Harlan Geiser, president and CEO of Integrity Technology Solutions

The EDC's strategic plan has as its foundation a concentration on local business retention and expansion. Eighty percent of all new jobs will come from local companies over the next several years. The EDC's ability to assist these local companies with expansion, job creation and capital investment is at the core of its mission.

The SBDC was established in March 2005 to help support and grow the businesses already in the area, as well as assist new businesses as they begin with a firm footing. More healthy businesses in the area means more jobs and better quality of life for everyone. Together, the EDC and SBDC are building a small and medium enterprise business infrastructure that will encourage and assist local business. Mentoring is a key component of the plan.