Start with a clear plan
Turn your idea into next steps. We help you identify priorities, organize a business plan, explore a location, and find the resources needed to open or expand.
No-charge business support · Available now
Your business.
Your neighborhood.
Your next step.
Starting something new? Working through a business challenge? The Six Corners Chamber of Commerce provides no-cost, one-on-one business assistance to help entrepreneurs plan, operate, and grow.
You can request help now. Our Board has approved these services at no charge; availability does not depend on a future grant award.
No membership requiredNew & existing businessesPractical next steps
Local guidance. Useful connections.
Support for the work of running a business.
Our Chamber connects you with individual guidance, practical tools, educational opportunities, and referrals at no charge. Start with your most pressing question; we will help you identify the next steps.
Licensing & City assistance
Get help understanding license options, renewals, zoning questions, public way use, and City processes. We help you prepare questions, find the right department, and follow up.
Marketing & digital presence
Strengthen your brand, reach customers, and make your business easier to find. Topics include social media, websites, online listings, customer engagement, and online sales.
Finances & funding readiness
Organize questions about budgets, pricing, cash flow, and financing. Explore current grant and loan resources, prepare for applications, and connect with appropriate financial advisers.
Operations & business tools
Discuss inventory, vendors, workflow, business technology, and cost control. We also connect you with workforce resources and official information about employer responsibilities.
Learning, coaching & referrals
Find practical workshops, ongoing coaching, and useful business connections. When specialized support is needed, we help identify the right resource and follow up on the referral.
Chamber staff provide guidance and coordination within their expertise. Matters requiring legal, tax, architectural, or other licensed professional services are referred to appropriately qualified providers.
Rooted in Six Corners
Our service area.
Our neighborhood business support focuses on the following three commercial corridors in and around Six Corners.
Milwaukee Avenue
From Kilpatrick Avenue on the south to Montrose Avenue on the north.
Irving Park Road
From Keeler Avenue on the east to Laramie Avenue on the west.
Cicero Avenue
From Montrose Avenue on the north to Berenice Avenue on the south.
Starting a business along one of these corridors, already operating here, or unsure where to begin? Tell us your business address or planned location. When another organization is a better fit, we help you find the right resource.
Explore the local business directory · See Chamber events
Chamber memberships and ticketed social events are separate from this no-charge business assistance.
City ofChicago
Business Affairs& Consumer Protection
Official City resourcesLicensing, education & information
City and BACP logos identify the official resources linked here; they do not indicate a Chamber grant award or City endorsement.
Business licensing & BACP assistance
Make City requirements easier to navigate.
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) is a key starting point for business licensing, education, and support. Its Small Business Center helps entrepreneurs navigate licensing and connect with City resources. We help you prepare for that conversation and find the right next step.
Opening, renewing, or stuck on a City issue?
Ask the Chamber for help organizing your questions, understanding the process, and connecting with the appropriate City office. We do not issue licenses or permits.
A practical licensing starting point
Describe your business activities
Start with what you will sell or do, where you plan to operate, and whether you will serve food, sell alcohol, or use outdoor space. Ask BACP which license categories apply.
Check the location and zoning early
Before signing a lease or making major financial commitments, confirm that the proposed use is allowed at the address. A previous tenant's use does not establish approval for your business.
Prepare and submit the application
Organize business registration, ownership, address, and activity information. Chicago Business Direct supports online license applications and renewals; BACP can explain what your particular application requires.
Complete the requirements and keep up to date
Depending on your license, additional documents, fees, inspections, or resolution of account holds may be needed. Review renewal notices and contact BACP about changes in ownership, location, or business activities.
Requirements vary by business activity and location. Use the official City guidance to confirm what applies to you.
Signs, patios & public space
Sidewalk signs, outdoor dining, awnings, and other uses of the public way can involve separate permissions. Check the rules before installing or placing anything outside.
Public way use guidance (opens in a new tab)Sidewalk sign guidance (opens in a new tab)
Renewals & City notices
Keep track of expiration dates, application requests, and notices. A consultation request does not extend a City deadline. Contact BACP promptly about a hold or an overdue requirement.
Business license renewal guidance (opens in a new tab)Workplace responsibilities
Find the City's current employer guidance on workplace requirements. We can help you locate resources and identify an appropriate referral for a specific question.
Chicago Office of Labor Standards (opens in a new tab)What happens next
A conversation. A plan. A follow-up.
Tell us what you need.
Contact the Chamber using the request options below. Amanda Saucedo, Executive Director, coordinates consultation requests. Share your business details, questions, and any important dates.
Meet with our team.
We discuss your goals, clarify your needs, and agree on the most useful starting point.
Take the next steps.
Receive guidance, useful resources, and a practical action plan. We coordinate a referral when specialized help is needed.
Keep moving forward.
We check on progress, follow up on referrals, and document services and outcomes to improve our support.
A useful place to begin
Business resources, without the guesswork.
Explore these official programs and resource organizations. For questions about fit, eligibility, or where to start, request a consultation.
BACP business education
Find the City's business webinar schedule and educational resources. Check each listing for registration and attendance details.
City grant opportunities
Review current Community Development Grant opportunities, eligibility, application windows, and program materials. Availability changes.
Cook County Small Business Source
Explore business advising, educational opportunities, and additional small-business resources.
Illinois Small Business Development Centers
Find a center for business planning, market research, financial analysis, and other specialized assistance.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Find local counseling and resource partners for starting, managing, and growing a business.
Chicago labor standards
Go to the official City source for workplace requirements, employer guidance, and current rules.
These are resource links, not representations of formal Chamber partnerships or guaranteed eligibility. Funding availability, requirements, and deadlines can change; confirm details with the program administrator.
Good questions
Getting started should feel approachable.
You do not need a finished business plan or a perfect question to reach out. Start with what you know, and we will work from there.
Let's talkDo I need to wait for the 2027 grant?
No. The Chamber Board has approved no-charge business assistance now. The Chamber is seeking funding through BACP's Neighborhood Business Network for 2027; no award has been made. You can request help now without waiting for the grant decision.
Do I need to be a Chamber member?
No. This no-charge business assistance is available without purchasing Chamber membership, sponsorships, or event tickets.
What does no-cost assistance include?
There is no charge for the Chamber business assistance described on this page. Government license and permit fees, services from outside professionals, and ticketed events may have separate costs. We will discuss those distinctions with you before a referral.
Can the Chamber issue a license or award a grant?
No. We help you navigate the process and identify resources. Licenses and permits are issued by the responsible government agencies, and funding decisions are made by the program or lender. Assistance does not guarantee approval.
What should I prepare for a consultation?
Bring your main questions, business location or location ideas, and any relevant notices or deadlines. We will explain any additional information needed. Do not submit passwords, account numbers, Social Security numbers, or tax returns through the request form.
Can I request language or accessibility assistance?
Yes. Tell us your preferred language or what would make a meeting easier to access. We will discuss available arrangements and referral options with you.
Request a no-cost business consultation
Tell us what would help.
Share a little about your business, the support you need, and where you would like to meet. Amanda Saucedo, our Executive Director, receives consultation requests and will contact you to arrange a meeting. Submitting a request does not reserve an appointment.
Please do not include passwords, bank or credit card information, Social Security numbers, tax returns, or other sensitive documents.
Open the consultation request form
Questions? Email amanda@sixcornerschamber.com. Submitting the form does not reserve an appointment.