New Client Registration & Scheduling an Appointment
Please review the information and/or explainer video below prior to scheduling an appointment:
Getting Started with the Illinois SBDC
We're funded by a cooperative agreement with the SBA and State of Illinois, so all new clients must register for an account and sign our confidentiality agreement before meeting with us. After completing the form under the New Clients section below, you’ll get an email from sbdc@svcc.edu within 1-3 business days with a Calendly link to schedule your first (virtual-only) appointment.
Before you continue, consider the following first:
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Are you a Not-For-Profit (NFP)?: Our advising is strictly limited to for-profit ventures by our grant agreement with the SBA. Nonprofits should connect with SCORE for guidance.
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Outside our region? We serve Lee, Whiteside, Ogle, Carroll, Jo Daviess, and Stephenson counties. If you're outside this area, we’ll refer you to the SBDC nearest you.
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Resident Status: Illinois SBDC services are provided in a nondiscriminatory way to all legal residents and citizens in the US.
Still have questions? Check out our FAQ page.
What You Can Expect from Us:
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Experienced, one-on-one business advising.
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A clear action plan to help you achieve your business venture goals.
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Honest, constructive feedback
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Full confidentiality, we don't disclose anything about you or your business without your written consent.
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Courteous, professional service
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Follow-up to track your progress
What We Expect from You:
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Assume full responsibility for scheduling your own initial and follow up appointments with the Center.
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Be open, honest, and respectful to all Center staff.
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Do the work that you and your advisor agree is necessary for your business venture.
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Be open to new ideas or strategies.
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Attend all scheduled meetings and give a minimum 1 business day notice for reschedules and cancellations. Exceptions for emergencies are acknowledged and understood.
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Complete all satisfaction and economic impact surveys that we send throughout the year.
Choose the appropriate option below (Read all information on this page carefully):
New Client Registration
Ready to fully engage and work on your business with an business advisor?
Get started by clicking the button below, you will be asked some preliminary questions on a form to ensure you are eligible for our no-cost services. Once completed and eligible, you will be redirected to our eCenter page to fill out the client registration form with your email address and a password of your choice. You’ll be asked for your contact and (if applicable) business information, the type of advising you need, and to sign our client agreement outlining our expectations.
After you submit the form, you'll receive an email from us at sbdc@svcc.edu within 1–2 business days. It will include a Calendly link to book your initial consultation. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder, just in case.
Important: We have limited staff and appointment slots. Please register only if you’re ready to move forward right away. If you’re just starting out and exploring options, our on-demand webinars are a great first step prior to registering as a new client.
Still have questions? Check out our FAQ page.
Schedule an Appointment
Welcome back to the Illinois SBDC!
Use the button below to schedule a meeting with an advisor via Calendly. You must be a registered Illinois SBDC client to book an appointment. If you recently completed your client application, you may also use this link for your initial consultation.
Appointments will be cancelled for individuals who do not have a completed client file and a signed client agreement on record with the Illinois SBDC Network.
Questions? View our FAQ Page.