View as Webpage

From sweet success stories to smart business strategies, this month’s Source Newsletter is packed with inspiration and practical tools. Discover how the Illinois Restaurant Association helped Molly’s Cupcakes fast-track a new café and events space, explore upcoming trainings and certifications, and tap into resources designed to boost your profits, expand your reach and strengthen your business.

Sweet success: Business advising provides perfect recipe for growth of Molly’s Cupcakes

Doriana "Dori" Isufi is a franchisee owner of Molly’s Cupcakes, with several locations throughout the Chicago area. 

This year, thanks to support from the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA), one of The Source’s Business Support Organizations, she is opening a café and event space inside Molly’s Cupcakes bakehouse in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood.

“Ever since joining the IRA, the networking and opportunities it brought are making this project come to an end a lot quicker than I was planning for,” Dori said.

Molly’s Cupcakes has also participated in several IRA-supported events, including Tech Tour, which brings together restaurant operators and expert panelists to address technological challenges and opportunities facing restaurants.

Read more about the close working relationship that Molly’s Cupcakes has established with the IRA–and explore how the IRA can perhaps help your business–in this new Source Spotlight.

August Webinar Wednesday;

Learn How to Find Profit Leaks in Your Business

Running a small business can be challenging. Don’t let hidden profit leaks drain your hard work and bank account!

Join us this August alongside 36Squared and the Southland Development Authority for "Learn How to Find Profit Leaks in Your Business."

In this practical webinar, you’ll learn simple, effective ways to spot where your investments are slipping away and how to tighten up your business management. Walk away with tools and tips to boost your profits, control your costs and keep your business on track for success.

Wednesday August 27, 2025

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Upcoming events

Helpful resources for your small business

Celebrating Black Business Month

August is National Black Business Month! All month long, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment is hosting events and sharing resources to uplift Illinois’ Black business community. Join “Leveraging Social Capital to Elevate Your Business" on August 28th, show your support for Illinois’ Black business community by participating in #ShopBlackSaturdays on social media and tap into DCEO’s Black Business Month digital toolkit to spread the word. Learn more here.

2025 Tax Pro Assistance Program Application

The Southland Development Authority, a trusted Source Business Support Organization, has extended the Tax Pro Assistance Program for 2025! Eligible small businesses located within Cook County, IL can take advantage of professional tax preparation services offered by Ringold Financial at a reduced cost. This opportunity is limited; click here to learn more and apply today.

Small Business Reverse Vendor Fair 2025

Each year, state agencies conduct thousands of procurements to obtain the items they need. These procurements award billions of dollars to vendors. The State of Illinois Small Business Set-Aside Program will host a reverse vendor fair in Springfield, IL on September 17, 2025, inviting Illinois small businesses to attend to meet face to face with contacts from various state agencies, learn how to best communicate with state agencies, and more. Register here.