On September 9th, 2025, Chicago’s entrepreneurial community gathered for WBENC LIFT in the Community, presented by Fifth Third Bank. Hosted at Fifth Third Bank’s Rosemont campus, this high-impact activation built on the momentum of our May event in Atlanta and the Capital Connection Corner at the WBENC National Conference in New Orleans this past June.
With a focus on financial literacy, capital readiness and access, along with valuable network-building, this event delivered strategic insights, peer learning, and meaningful connections—empowering small businesses to take bold steps toward sustainable growth.
Opening the Door to Opportunity
The Chicago activation convened a dynamic mix of entrepreneurs, capital partners, financial experts, and ecosystem builders—all united in their mission to support the growth and development of Chicago’s entrepreneurial community.
The program began with inspiring remarks from Carla Cobb of Fifth Third Bank, who emphasized the national momentum of WBENC LIFT in the Community and its role in expanding access to capital for entrepreneurs. Erica Kuhlmann, President & CEO of WBENC Regional Partner Organization Women’s Business Development Center – Midwest, spotlighted the robust resources available through the WBENC network to help businesses scale with confidence and clarity.
Celebrating Local Innovation
A Small Business Pop-Up and Continental Breakfast set the tone for the day, showcasing the creatively and resilience of Chicago-based entrepreneurs including:
- Amie Kesler – Carolyn’s Krisps
- Uzma Sharif – Chocolat Uzma
- Tracey McGhee – Ms. Jetsetter
- Leeatt Rothschild – Packed with Purpose
- Teresa Ging – Sugar Bliss
- Sydney Karp Poll – SydPlayEat
- Ruchi Gupta – Yobee
Attendees explored innovative products, built new relationships, and celebrated the ingenuity driving Chicago’s small business economy.
Capital Conversations That Drive Growth
The “Get Funded and Grow” panel, moderated by Andrew Gaeckle of WBENC, brought together a dynamic group of entrepreneurs and capital providers:
WBE Panelists
- Adonica Randall – Abaxent
- Teresa Ging – Sugar Bliss
- Lauren Sustek – Bartkowski Strategic Contracting
Capital Provider Panelists
- Abigail Scanlan – Fifth Third Bank
- Amanda Askew – Allies for Community Business
- Angela Allen – Golden Seeds
Speakers shared actionable insights on financial readiness, cultivating strategic relationships, and aligning capital with long-term business goals. Their stories reinforced a powerful message: capital is more than funding—it’s about preparation, partnership, and vision.
“This was a great session. Lots of helpful info, I loved meeting peers and others, great to be able to shop and support the women owned small businesses too.” Fiona McEntee, Nouvie Inc.
Financial Empowerment in Action
The Fifth Third Bank “eBUS“ provided on-the-spot access to credit reports, tax preparation support, and personalized financial guidance. This mobile resource brought financial empowerment directly to the community, reinforcing the importance of informed decision-making and proactive financial planning.
Strengthening the Business Ecosystem
The final hour of networking sparked meaningful conversations between entrepreneurs, capital providers, and corporate partners. These connections are the foundation of a thriving ecosystem—one that supports innovation, inclusion, and long-term success of the Chicago business community and highlights the importance of programming and events such as WBENC LIFT in the Community. In the words of one attendee:
“It was great to meet other women going after their goals and seeing the different paths that led them there. These are great opportunities to meet people who are not your competitors, but rather they cheer you on and you can do the same for them; a great event and I was blown away by how much good came out of it.” – Sydney Karp Poll, SydPlayEat
Next Stop: Nashville!
Join us on November 6th for Capital Connections: WBENC LIFT in the Community, in collaboration with WBEC South. This event is designed to accelerate your financial literacy, unlock access to capital, and build powerful connections. Stay tuned for details and register to continue your capital journey.
WBENC LIFT in the Community is part of the WBENC LIFT Financial Center of Excellence.
