The Small Business and Entrepreneur Resource Expo \u2014 hosted by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) at the Peoria Next Innovation Center \u2014 connected startup companies to over 25 organizations offering critical businesses resources in the Peoria area. \u00a0These organizations offer free services, grants and low interest loans to businesses hoping to break the capital and capacity barriers to growing sustainable companies.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it helps enrich the community,\u201d said Anthony Rolando, senior account manager with the DCEO. \u00a0\u201cIt brings a whole lot of people together. \u00a0More important than anything is the interaction going on out there between people that have never met each other before.\u201d<\/p>\n Around 50 Participants gathered around a conference room as representatives from the various organizations explained their operations and offerings. \u00a0The speed-dating format cycled uninterrupted through every organization with each allowed three minutes to talk. \u00a0Afterwards, everyone gathered in the main gallery where one-on-one conversations commenced and attendees collected further information on the various organizations and programs.<\/p>\n Raphael Rodolfo owns and operates Videogenique, a small video production company in North Peoria. \u00a0He showed up primarily to meet new business owners to whom he could offer his services, but walked away with new resources on improving his own business model. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI am always thinking about growing. \u00a0I don\u2019t know how to go about it, and it is scary,\u201d said Rodolfo. \u00a0\u201cI am good at what I do, I have a passion for what I do, but I am not necessarily a good businessman.\u201d<\/p>\n With that in mind, Rodolfo intends to follow up with the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University. \u00a0The Turner Center offers free business planning and coaching for small companies such as Videogenique.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I am out there every day sprinting, I don\u2019t have that bird\u2019s eye view of \u2018where am I going?\u2019 \u00a0To have that service of mentoring and coaching [would be beneficial.]\u201d \u00a0Said Rodolfo. \u00a0\u201cI can\u2019t believe they offer it for free.\u201d<\/p>\n A variety of organizations showed up \u2014 from national organizations such as the USDA Rural Development team and the Small Business Administration to the local cooperative StartUp Peoria and the Black Business Alliance.<\/p>\n Denise Moore of the Black Business Alliance attended to share her organization\u2019s latest economic development tool \u2014 The Minority Business Development Center. \u00a0The center plans to offer traditional development services, but at non-traditional hours such as evenings and weekends. \u00a0Moore hopes that this will allow more people to access critical technical assistance for their entrepreneurial endeavours without interfering with busy work and home life schedules.<\/p>\n Moore, also Peoria\u2019s 1st District councilmember, said the organization plans to open the resource center on Southwest Adams Street.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat this will do, I am hoping, is give minority business owners the opportunity to take back their community where a lot of retail and commercial businesses have left,\u201d said Moore.<\/p>\n The Expo provides a crucial starting point for budding entrepreneurs. \u00a0Events like this encourage economic growth in our city and allow for a more rich and diverse business community.<\/p>\n Browse the map below to find out more information on all of the organizations that attended.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"CS_test-2\"](\"http:\/\/com.bradley.edu\/newslab\/files\/2015\/09\/CS_test-2.jpg\")
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