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We opened the meeting with some real-time analytics, asking new faces to introduce themselves and tell us how they found us.  90%  said word of mouth.  It was either a friend, a direct experience, direct invite or event  listing – in that order. In other words, it was personal. Just like the writing of this [...]

Last year was tumultuous.   It was about adapting and embracing change, both chosen and thrust.  It was about living under new conditions and circumstances – within the world and within my personal world and I can say with certainty, I survived it with a positive attitude, damn it. Still.. 2010, don’t let the door hit [...]

There is a distinction between making a living and building a company.  Both are entrepreneurial, but the approach is very different. Breaking out of your box means understanding business models and putting them into effect. Making a living means finding a stream of customers or clients who want what you sell or do and doing more of [...]

Join In! For members and non-members alike! We are delighted to report that the entrepreneurial coffees last month were not only a hit, but a smash! Of those who attended 95% would like to return. What we discovered is that while our companies are different and our professional experience varies, our  journeys are indeed very [...]

There are 27,000 current members in Linked n Chicago, thousands of members & friends of Big Ooga, Local First, BNC, Evanston Chamber, West Suburban Chamber, the Naperville LinkedIn Business Group and the Evanston / North Shore Business Group. Among them, the owners, founders, leaders, volunteers and members share a common vision, to create a working, [...]

The real heavy lifting for Chicago entrepreneurs is the thinking – it’s the figuring out and adjusting  – what is my product or service? What needs to change and improve? What words should I use to describe it? The ongoing evolution process is agonizing!  Real entrepreneurship means hitting moving targets and constantly adjusting to the [...]

Image by Premier Packaging via Flickr Chicago small business services are on sale and make the perfect gift to give yourself or entrepreneurs and small business owners you love. Give the gift of business success this holiday season.  Last call on these remarkable business services from Chicago Big Oogans. 1) WordPress Personal Blogging Coach – [...]

Image via Wikipedia Let’s say you have the most brilliant business blog on the planet.  It is well written, well researched, optimized and rich with SEO words like business networking, small business marketing, Chicago professional networking, social media tools AND it is a great read with deep insight and usable tools that will impact your [...]