FourStar in the News

Small business owners drive economic empowerment, both through their direct economic impact and as anchors and job-creators for the communities they serve. We know that small businesses comprise 58% of Chicago jobs as a whole and a full 70% in disinvested neighborhoods, according to a report by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. (1021.5KB) We also know that self-employed business owners, specifically people of color, experience faster earnings growth ...

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Aguilar. Patricia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far. You might call my story “From big beginnings, small business happens.” Starting my career working in the big leagues, with MARVEL, McDonald’s and Big Pharma, I’ve come full circle with my life’s work now devoted to elevating small businesses. ...

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today joined Goldman Sachs and leadership from Harold Washington College to celebrate the 17th class of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) program at the City Colleges of Chicago. During the ceremony the company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the program that provides crucial education, business support services and access to capital to small businesses across Chicago beyond its initial five-year timeline. “This program gives our ...

Gameplan Creative, an award-winning Chicago-based marketing, branding and video production agency has developed a branding campaign for Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater’s landmark 40th Anniversary celebration, culminating in three “Flamenco Passion” performances at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, June 17-19. The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC), along with two Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Alumni, join in a dynamic collaboration between nonprofit and for-profit ...