Description

Workshop Overview 

Early Bird: $129 until Friday, May 22 

General Admission: $149 

Purchase Tickets: https://purchase.fischertheatre.com/ChooseSeats/85401 

Welcome to the Entrepreneur Launch Lab, hosted by Downtown Danville Inc. and supported by The Vermilion Standard and several other local business sponsors! Whether you are exploring a brand-new business idea or looking to grow an existing venture, this workshop is designed to give you the practical tools, local knowledge, and personal connections you need to succeed right here in Danville, Illinois. 

Our community is growing, and downtown Danville is experiencing a wave of new energy and investment. You are part of that momentum. Today, we will work through the essential building blocks of launching a business from legal structure and marketing to financing and finding the right space. By the end of the day, you will have a personalized action plan and a network of supporters ready to help you take the next step. 

Let’s build something great together. 

Workshop Learning Objectives 

By the end of today’s workshop, you will be able to: 

-Understand the steps to legally organize a business in Illinois 

-Identify your target market and build a business plan 

-Explore financing options including TIF incentives available in Danville 

-Tour and evaluate commercial spaces in downtown Danville 

-Connect with local support organizations and resources 

-Leave with a personalized 90-day action plan 

What to Expect 

This is a hands-on, interactive workshop. You won’t just listen, you’ll do. Throughout the day, you will participate in group exercises, complete individual planning worksheets, and take a walking tour of available commercial spaces in downtown Danville. Bring your questions, your ideas, and your enthusiasm. This workbook is yours to keep and will serve as your reference guide long after today’s workshop ends. 

Workshop Agenda Below is the full schedule for today’s workshop. Please refer to this throughout the day. 

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM 

Registration & Welcome Coffee Sign in, pick up materials, networking 

9:00 AM – 9:20 AM 

Opening & Introductions Welcome remarks, downtown vision, and entrepreneurial opportunities 

9:20 AM – 10:00 AM 

Keynote Speaker Ross Darby, Greenwood Inc. 

10:00 – 12:10PM 

Rotating Breakout Sessions (attend all 3) 

Breakout Session 1 

Group 1: Organizing Your Business structures, registration, licensing, legal basics, business plan 

Group 2: Marketing Your Business Target market, branding, digital marketing, social media basics 

Group 3: Financing Your Business Funding sources, loans, grants, TIF incentives, budgeting 

12:10 PM – 1:10 PM 

Lunch Break Eat at your favorite Downtown Location! 

1:15 – 1:50 PM 

Panel Discussion Current downtown business owners share insights and before & after transformations 

1:55 – 2:15 PM 

Debrief and Action Planning Identify next steps, complete 90-day plan, schedule consultations and outline support resources, evaluation forms 

2:20 PM – 3:45 PM 

Downtown Property Tours Walking tour of available commercial spaces 

4:00 PM 

Social hour/Networking Location TBD 

This event is sponsored by Downtown Danville Inc., The Vermilion Standard, Amanda Galloway with Country Financial, Requite Tattoo, Clarity Design Co., Two Roads Wellness Clinic, Fisher National Bank, The City of Danville, Greenwood Inc, Ashco Exteriors, and Atlas Total Home.