Build it • Grow it

Each year NWILED offers the Build It Grow It program, a multiweek entrepreneurial bootcamp designed to empower aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs throughout Jo Daviess and Carroll counties and beyond. Moving into its fourth year, the annual program offers a series of concentrated and accelerated seminars that help equip entrepreneurs with needed knowledge and skills to kickstart their businesses, while also offering something new and substantial to more established business owners. The program is open to small business owners, managers, entrepreneurs and even high school and college aged students.

The 2026 program gave participants the opportunity to attend four evening sessions starting Wednesday, January 14 and concluding Thursday, February 12 with a graduation and “Shark Tank” competition. Each session encouraged active participation, networking and the development of practical real-world skills among the attendees.

Session One: Entrepreneurialism with Aaron Apt of Abt Enterprises and Succession Planning with Patrick Powaser of Gradient Coaching and Consulting at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa in the Galena Territory.
Session Two: Financial Literacy for Small Business with Citizen State Bank, Schoenhaar Accounting, and the Small Business Development Center at The DeSoto House Hotel in Galena.
Session Three: Small Business Marketing and Branding with WINPRO Pet/Whole Heart Creative, Visit Galena, and Visit NW Illinois at Timber Lake Playhouse in rural Mount Carroll.
Session Four: Artificial Intelligence for Small Business with University of Illinois, SoundSafe.ai, and Dry Creek Beekeeping at the Davis Community Center in Mount Carroll.
Session Five: Program Graduation and Shark Tank at Apple Canyon Lake Clubhouse in rural Apple River.

2026 Program Materials:
Brochure
Flyer
Location List

Build It Grow It 2027 will have the theme ‘What Scares You?' and will focus on small business human resources. It will be held Jan-Feb and have rotating locations. More details coming soon!

Contact David Schmit at dschmit@nwiled.org for more information.