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Season’s greetings! The Source wishes you a happy holiday season and a joyous New Year.

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re grateful to the many small businesses that have shared their success stories with us over the last year. We also encourage readers to check out a few upcoming events hosted by members of our Business Support Organization network.

We hope all readers enjoyed a successful 2025–and remember, The Source is ready to help you throughout 2026.

Celebrating Cook County Entrepreneurs 

At The Source, we work every day to support small businesses throughout Cook County. Offering access to business advising, resources and events–at no cost to business owners–we strive to ensure local businesses have everything they need to succeed.

While we’ve directly supported more than 8,400* small businesses through advising and events this year, we also had the privilege of spotlighting several entrepreneurs working with The Source’s network of Business Support Organizations (BSOs). They shared how their BSO helped them grow by expanding their operations, strengthening their marketing, opening storefronts and more.

We heard from Doriana “Dori” Isufi, franchisee owner of multiple local Molly’s Cupcakes, which, thanks to help from the Illinois Restaurant Association, opened a new cafe and events space at its bakehouse in Chicago.

We got to know Yvette Lyles, an outspoken advocate for seniors and owner of Chicago-based Silver Pearls Senior Solutions. With the support of her business advisor with the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council, Yvette created a digital marketing plan to transform her business's digital presence. 

And we visited Juan Carlos Hernandez from Print Innovation Lab, which moved into a storefront in Oak Park thanks to guidance from the Women’s Business Development Center and a local realtor who also uses The Source.

Their stories–and many others–are highlighted in our Source Spotlights.

The Source looks forward to learning about many more success stories in 2026.

* 8,419 small businesses served through business advising and events as of October 2025.

Upcoming events

Shop Small, Support Local

Shopping local doesn’t just support small businesses; it helps strengthen our community. By keeping your dollars close to home, you help create local wealth, generate jobs and fuel opportunities for small businesses to thrive.

Looking for local shopping inspiration? Explore these curated collections of Source-supported small businesses and find something special this season!

Berwyn Development Corporation: Berwyn Shops - Open through mid-December, Berwyn Shops is a one-stop shopping destination guaranteed to have a gift for whoever is on your list! Interested in joining the 2026 cohort of vendors? Learn more and attend an upcoming information session here.

Allies for Community Business: Marketplace - Pulling from their vast array of business advising clientele, A4CB’s Marketplace is your local digital shopping destination. Discover small businesses guaranteed to become favorites from the comfort of your home.

There are many more accessible ways to support local.

Discover a few below:

• Stay Connected – Keep up with your favorite small businesses online. It’s simple: follow them on social media, engage with their posts, and subscribe to their newsletters for exclusive promotions, updates, and more!

• Word-of-Mouth – One of the best ways to support a small business is by spreading the word. Share your favorite local spots with coworkers, friends, and family—your recommendation can make all the difference.

• Write a Review – Your 5-star review could be the nudge someone needs to try a local favorite. If you've had an amazing experience, don't hesitate to share it! Your feedback could make all the difference and help others discover what makes this spot so special.