“Kish was selected because of the business development program they offer to the community,”
says Lesley Flores, vice president, community development manager at First Midwest
Bank. The grant will support free small business development workshops. “We believe
that fostering these entrepreneurs will help support and encourage economic growth
and additional employment opportunities that will benefit not only the local community,
but the entire DeKalb County,” Flores adds.

An upcoming workshop series at Kish is designed to help local entrepreneurs and small
business owners grow their business. The program covers a range of topics from creating
a business success plan to developing a three-year budget to analyzing the marketing
cycle to best sell, promote and distribute a product or service.
“Kish is excited to continually support small businesses and entrepreneurs. Kish takes
pride in working to meet the needs of our community! Kish is honored to partner with
First Midwest Bank and all our partners to further our mission,” comments LaCretia
Konan, director of business & training partnerships.
The small business workshop series begins February 19 and runs through April 1. There
are six free workshops in total and registration is required. To register for the
small business workshops or for more information, visit www.kish.edu/sbdc.
Photo Caption: First Midwest Bank donated a $2000 grant to Kishwaukee College’s workforce
& community education department to support small business workshops. Pictured from
L to R: LaCretia Konan, director of business & training partnerships at Kish; Lesley
Flores, vice president, community development manager at First Midwest Bank; and Dr.
Laurie Borowicz, president of Kish.