About the Entrepreneurial Knowledge Group


Entrepreneurs Unite in Park Ridge

The Entrepreneurial Knowledge Group (EKG) was formed in February 2008 and has hosted a meeting once a month to introduce and strategize with independent business owners a concept of working together to grow their businesses independently and as a community. One main tenet of this group is that to belong, one must simply be the owner of a business as their is a substantial different level of investment when one is the sole bottom line of responsibility. As an independent there is also a much smaller avenue of direct support and resource.  

The origination was developed by Lynda Tourloukis, of You Can Say…Yes! Motivational Guidance Services, who as a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador would meet new businesses welcoming them to the community and chamber. Finding that the independent owners seemed to have a different set of values and unique needs, the concept grew for a group that could form a strategy table where these businesses could meet to connect on level with their peers. These independent entrepreneurs could develop relationships that partner for greater effect and better results. Find a need and fill a void seemed to pop up and that kind of thinking was all that was needed to get the process moving forward. The group is open to all, though as members join they find great value in the thriving Chamber membership as well.  

This practice acts as an incubator and as the EKG grows the individual members grow independently through the collaborative efforts and building of relationships that allow for resource, networking and support. 

The Six Main Points:

Through a process six main ideas formed in consensus that were purposeful and useful to grow and develop for themselves and their businesses.

1. Building Community Relationships
2. Building Resources for our group
3. Building a network and referral process
4. Goal setting including Business, Marketing, Financial plans
5. Creating standard operating procedures for efficiency in operations
6. Creating a COOP of Business Services

From these processes we began with the idea of relationships. To build anything in partnership a component of cooperation is required.

Meeting Topics we have addressed: 

Building a Solid Foundation in Business
Creating a Strategy Table
Best Practices in Business
Creating and Assessing Event Feedback
Building Relationships in the Community
Identifying Power Partners
Finding our common threads
Goal Ideas
Annual Goal Development
Group Leadership Development
Personal Promotion Awareness
Networking
Concepts of Leadership
Social Media Review
Setting your 2010 Calendar
Quick Books Presentation
Credit Card Processing