ID Holiday Party 2024! 
Innovation DuPage members, save the date for our holiday celebration on December 12th! Join us for beverages, hors d'oeuvres, and festivities. Significant others are welcome. A formal invitation with full details will follow soon. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Beneficial Ownership Requirement: 
Starting in 2024, many small and mid-sized businesses must report their beneficial owners (individuals who own or control the business) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCen). This applies to most companies registered with the Illinois Secretary of State, with some exemptions. Existing businesses have until the end of 2024 to file. For new businesses, those registered in 2024 have 90 days from registration to file, while those registered in 2025 or later will only have 30 days. The filing is free and done online through FinCen's website. Non-compliance can result in penalties. Business owners should check if they're exempt from this new requirement.

• FinCen FAQs link (the most useful and comprehensive info link of all): https://www.fincen.gov/boi-faqs
• FinCen YouTube “How to File Your BOI” link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GydCvfbKxPw
• IL Secretary of State BOI Link: https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/business_services/boireport.html

Much Appreciated:
Efrain Aguilar and Ricardo Ramirez, co-founders of Artsition, a Chicago-based multi-media and marketing agency, along with Chip Borkowski (Chief Growth Officer in-Residence of Artsition+). They introduced Artsition+, a new division offering full-service strategic business consulting. Their presentation included a case study showcasing their growth and lessons learned since launching Artsition+, demonstrating how they address various business aspects like sales, operations, and customer service. Additionally, Mike Varon, Innovation DuPage's Strategic Business Advisor, led a Problem Solving Session. He provided an informative overview of the resources available to ID members and highlighted the various ways he supports our community in overcoming obstacles and achieving business growth.  You can always access our presentations here.

Coming Up: 

• Women in Business Expo, 10.22: The Wheaton Chamber of Commerce invites you to an engaging Women in Business event, hosted at the College of DuPage Student Resource Center. Learn about love-led leadership with keynote speaker Nicki Anderson, gain insights from a panel on relationship-driven business growth, and network with fellow professionals. Plus, your chance to win a 6-month LinkedIn Premium Membership! Don't miss this evening of empowerment and connections, register here. 
• Buyer Persona Workshop, 10.23: Join us at Innovation DuPage from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm for a workshop focusing on Buyer Personas, presented by expert Ron Farnum of Forge Brandworks. Discover what they are, why they're crucial, and how to identify your target audience. Ron will share his expertise on crafting these custom profiles, revealing how understanding your key demographics can significantly boost your revenue. Learn practical strategies to enhance your marketing and drive business growth in this valuable session. To secure your spot, click here. 
• Member Meetup, 10.30: Our upcoming Member Meetup will feature Jason Krantz of Labor Titan as our Member Spotlight, along with Colleen Sall from the BDC to teach attendees about government contracting. Jason will introduce Labor Titan's data-driven approach to compensation benchmarking and forecasting, showing how small businesses can set competitive pay rates and adapt to changing labor markets. Colleen will provide valuable insights into government contracting, offering information to help small businesses explore opportunities in this area.
• Naperlaunch Academy, 10.30: During this 4-week series, attendees will learn the basics of writing a business plan and a strategic marketing plan with the help of some library resources specifically designed for this purpose. They will also learn six fundamental professional selling skills and how to use them in sales transactions. Participants are expected to attend all four sessions and complete homework assignments outside of class. Spots are limited, register here by October 30th.  
• Midwest Innovation and Entrepreneurial Summit, 11.13:  The Midwest is renowned for its enterprising spirit, with a rich history of innovation dating back to the 1893 World's Fair. This all-day summit celebrates the entrepreneurial drive that has made greater Chicagoland a hub of innovation. The event will provide resources for aspiring entrepreneurs, showcase success stories of Midwest entrepreneurs, and help educators integrate entrepreneurship into their curriculum. It will also facilitate connections between funders, partners, and the growing suburban incubation/acceleration movement led by Innovation DuPage. Harness the Midwest's ability to "get things done" and empower the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders. To secure your spot, click here.

Sign up to present at a Spring 2025 Member Meetup 
Showcase your business at a Member Meetup! We're looking for members to present as our Member Spotlight, ID Member Resource, or host a Problem Solving session. This is your chance to present your work, share your achievements, and connect with fellow entrepreneurs. Sign up here, under the Spring tab as our Fall spots are filled.

Let us help you share your success with the ID community!
Share a win from this week – big or small. It could be featured in our next letter! Email your accomplishment to: IDmaceyh@innovationdupage.org

Reminder: Innovation DuPage is open for members as a coworking space 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Many thanks, and have a great week,

Dan Facchini,
Managing Director,
Innovation DuPage