#FLATSproject is now Accepting Applications for its Second Small Business & Community Accelerator Program

Have a great business idea but lack the opportunity to let it come to fruition? FLATS Chicago, announces the second #FLATSproject (www.flatschicago.com/flats-project). With a mission to support the local community, FLATSproject is a Small Business and Community Accelerator Program. Designed to give entrepreneurs the opportunity to apply for a chance to be awarded a prize package giving one lucky winner the necessities to take the leap to a brick and mortar business.

Applications are now being accepted to win a beautiful store front retail space in the Historic Lawrence House, which is one of the largest anticipated properties in the FLATS portfolio. FLATSproject is awarding a business package valued at over $100,000.00 in benefits including a free year of rent. “The package also includes support from the City of Chicago, access to our design team, business plan refresh, marketing support, all legal work associated with starting a company and more.” said Alex Samoylovich, co-founder and managing partner at CEDARst.

The applicants must submit a succinct and thorough presentation (this may be in the form of a video) of how and why their business will benefit the local community of the 1000 block of Lawrence and the 46th Ward. Full details are available on the #FLATSproject website. Applicants are encouraged to be creative – and demonstrate what makes their business special. “We give residents a chance to vote on the local business they would like to see in their storefront unit, along with social media engagement the other decision makers include the community and city of Chicago leadership and ultimately the partners at CEDARst” said Samoylovich.  

In 2014 entrepreneur Michael Stejskal beat out 40 other hopeful business owners and opened The Public Barber (1325 W. Wilson). “It was a dream come true, and I continue to grow and enjoy coming to work every day and being part of the community” said Stejskal who now has 4 employees and is looking to bring a few more on soon.

The second #FLATSproject is located in Uptown, inside the historic Lawrence House. This twelve-story building will have multiple retail spaces below 373 apartments. The winner already has a neighbor in FLATS Chicago exclusive partner Heritage Outpost. The property is located near some of Uptown’s most popular historic landmarks such as the Aragon Ballroom, Riviera Theatre, and the legendary Green Mill. Conveniently located one block from Wilson CTA Red Line and two blocks from Lake Shore Drive.

Submissions will be accepted until May 20th, 2016. The winner of #FLATSproject will be announced at the Lawrence House grand opening. For more information please visit www.flatschicago.com

M3 1000 competition of 2011

More women entrepreneurs from across the country will now have the opportunity to grow their businesses into million dollar enterprises through M3 1000, the latest evolution of its groundbreaking Make Mine a Million $ Business (M3) program. 

Similar to the original format and built on the lessons learned over the past five years, M3 1000 is designed to help women entrepreneurs strengthen their vision, build their strategy and take their business to a million dollars in revenue.  Under the new program version, a larger group of 250 event participants will compete for prize packages of coaching, financing, marketing tools and more during Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence and American Express OPEN’s M3 1000 competitions.

At the M3 1000 event, each participant will deliver a two-minute elevator pitch about their business, qualifications, and how they would benefit from the program.  The elevator pitch is given in front of a live audience and a panel of qualified judges.  The judges will select which of the participants will be named as pitch winners, who will receive prizes and then move on to the final round, to collect additional resources.  Pitch winners will submit full applications and company financial information for final consideration as M3 1000 awardees. 

The first M3 1000 competition of 2011 is April 4 at the Denver Marriott City Center in Denver, CO.  Women entrepreneurs nationwide have until March 28^th to apply to compete in this national program.  Women entrepreneurs can apply for the elevator pitch competition or join the M3 1000 community by visiting: www.makemineamillion.org.  

M3 1000 targets enterprises organized and doing business in the United States with the following characteristics:

•           The business should be at least 50% owned by a woman who is a U.S. citizen or legal resident

•           The company should be at least two years old and have annual revenues between $85,000 - $700,000

•           The entrepreneur should be ready to grow her business to a million dollars within the next 18-36 months

Win A Custom Bag’ Competition

Lotuff & Clegg Leatherworks had their company's 1 year anniversary.  They are celebrating by running a contest:    2011 ‘Win A Custom Bag’ Competition! 

Anyone can enter, just become a fan on our facebook page and tell us a story about your most memorable experience with your favorite leather bag (on our facebook page wall) and you could win!

The contest will run from January 4^th to February 4^th and the winner will be announced in the days following.

National Make Mine a Million $ Business Competitions are Back - 10/1 application deadline

Make Mine a Million $ Business competitions are back and women entrepreneurs from across the country are applying to compete for vital resources they will need to grow their businesses despite the recession. The next Make Mine a Million $ Business competition is November 7-9 at the Parc 55 Wyndham Hotel San Francisco, CA.  Women entrepreneurs nationwide have until October 1 to apply to compete in this national program.  To apply or join the Make Mine a Million $ Business community, please visit:www.makemineamillion.org.

Make Mine a Million $ Business, a program of Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence and American Express OPEN, helps women entrepreneurs grow and build sustainable enterprises, create jobs and develop innovative products and services.  The Make Mine a Million $ Business Award provides a combination of coaching, financing and marketing tools that women entrepreneurs need to help grow their businesses from micro to millions.

Make Mine a Million $ Business competitions are designed to help women entrepreneurs strengthen their vision, build their strategy and take their business to a million dollars in revenue in the next 12-18 months. Make Mine a Million $ Business targets businesses organized and doing business in the United States with the following characteristics:

·         The company must be at least 50% owned by at least one woman who is a U.S. citizen or legal resident

·         The business should be at least two years old and have annual revenues of at least $200,000

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