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Illinois Small Business Development & International Trade Center

The Illinois SBDC/ITC at College of Lake County remains open and available for virtual appointments.

For Startups and Businesses Looking to Expand

If you are starting a new business or positioning your company for growth, we can help. Please scroll down to view all advisors' bios and to schedule a virtual appointment.

If you are a start-up, we strongly recommend you take our no-cost, pre-recorded session, Starting Your Business in Illinois. Get started!

International Trade - Export: Ready, Rebound, Recover

If you are an established business seeking new markets, our International Trade Specialist will help you successfully navigate the exciting business opportunities global trade has to offer. To schedule a confidential, one-on-one exporting only advising session - at no cost – call Kevin Kim at (847) 543-2306.

In consideration with management and technical assistance, you agree to waive all claims against the advisor in connection with these services.

Our services are paid for through a partnership between DCEO, the Small Business Administration and the College of Lake County.

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Advisor

Aki Jackson - Virtual via Zoom: Mondays & Tuesdays

1 hour

Aki, CPA, has extensive experience working with small business owners. He has advised management at all levels for over 30 years in the areas of finance, manufacturing and business operations.

Shari Stang - By phone: Mondays & Fridays

1 hour 30 minutes

Shari, MBA, CPA, is a highly trained professional working most of her thirty-year career in manufacturing starting as a cost accountant and advancing to a member of the executive team for a billion dollar publicly traded organization. Her background is in finance and business development, which includes acquisition and integration of businesses, as well as product development and sales growth.

Patrick Spatz - By phone: Mondays, Wednesdays-Fridays

1 hour 30 minutes

Patrick, CPA, worked as a CPA before starting a manufacturing business with the help of an SBA loan. As a Board Member for a business Incubator, he mentored entrepreneurs in a variety of industries. He can assist with business plans and accounting software like QuickBooks.

Raj Soni - By phone: Tuesdays & Thursdays

1 hour

Raj, CPA, has over 30 years of experience running a manufacturing and wholesale distribution company in Lake County. Prior to that, he advised a variety of businesses, including franchisees as a CPA. Areas of expertise include finance, international trade, and product development.

Bob Wallace - By phone: Tuesdays & Wednesdays

1 hour 30 minutes

Bob, CPA, started in public accounting and then over the next 20+ years held Controller, CFO and CEO roles for various companies in the insurance and golf industries. In 2005, Bob started his own company, which has focused on providing part-time CFO services and strategic counsel to numerous small to mid-size entrepreneur-owned businesses. Bob believes in connecting passion with purpose and is committed to helping woman and minority owned businesses and entrepreneurs!

Mike McMahon - By phone: Tuesdays & Thursdays

1 hour

Mike, MBA, is a Marketing and Ecommerce executive focused on realistic solutions to business challenges. He is adept at helping businesses get "unstuck" by identifying obstacles to growth and aligning efforts to deliver exceptional value to the customer. Mike’s background includes top leadership roles at Medline Industries, including Corporate Marketing, Ecommerce, Product Development, and Strategic Pricing.

Mitch Bienvenue - By phone: Wednesdays

1 hour

Mitch has a master’s in Human Resource Development and is Director of the Illinois Small Business Development & International Trade Center. He has over 30 years of business experience, 17 as a small business owner/operator. As a certified professional business coach, Mitch works with leaders of small businesses from a wide variety of industries. He brings his personal experience, passion and business-building skills to support Lake County entrepreneurs and small business owners.

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Illinois Small Business Development & International Trade Center

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