About Us
The Small Business Growth Initiative (SBGI) helps Illinois entrepreneurs unlock capital and growth — at no cost, funded through the SSBCI Technical Assistance program.
Big Support for Small Businesses That Need It Most
SBGI exists to stand beside Illinois small business owners with practical, hands-on support—legal, CPA, and business advisory services delivered at no cost through the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Technical Assistance Program.
Whether you are a Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI) business owner or operate a Very Small Business (10 or fewer employees), our goal is simple: help you move from “stuck” to growth-ready with trusted guidance and real tools you can use today.
What we help you do:
Get your finances in order — clean books, clear taxes, and lender-ready financial statements.
Apply for capital with confidence — organized loan packages, forecasts, and funding guidance.
Strengthen your business foundation — pricing strategy, cash flow management, and practical systems that scale with you.
Our Mission: Open Doors for Small Businesses
About the Small Business Growth Initiative
Small businesses are the backbone of thriving communities—and every owner deserves practical support to grow, not unnecessary barriers to overcome.
Too often, underserved entrepreneurs—including minority-, women-, veteran-, immigrant-owned, and very small businesses—face challenges accessing capital, building financial readiness, and scaling sustainably.
That’s why we created the Small Business Growth Initiative (SBGI)—to deliver hands-on accounting, legal, and business advisory support at no cost through the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Technical Assistance Program (Region 3).
How We Help
Strengthen financial readiness — clean books, lender-ready financials, and tax clarity.
Improve access to capital — organized loan packages, forecasts, and funding guidance.
Build stronger operations — cash flow planning, pricing strategy, and practical systems for growth.
Whether you’re preparing for your first financing opportunity or building toward your next stage of growth, you do not have to do it alone.
Access to capital should be based on opportunity, preparation, and support—not on barriers. That is the mission behind SBGI.
Who We Are: Anderson's Enterprise Management Corporation (AEMC)
For more than 20 years, Anderson’s Enterprise Management Corporation (AEMC) has served as a trusted advisor to small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and entrepreneurs across Illinois—providing expert guidance in accounting, tax strategy, financial management, and business growth.
As a licensed Illinois CPA firm, AEMC combines deep financial expertise with practical business advisory services that help owners strengthen operations, improve financial readiness, and position themselves for sustainable growth.
Our commitment has always been simple: equip business owners—especially those in historically underserved communities—with trusted expertise, practical tools, and clear pathways to opportunity.
Why AEMC Leads the Small Business Growth Initiative (SBGI)
Practical, hands-on guidance — helping business owners build lender-ready financials, stronger operations, and sustainable growth strategies without unnecessary complexity.
Integrated expertise under one roof — accounting, tax, legal coordination, entity structuring, and business advisory services working together to support your success.
Capital readiness and access — strategic road-mapping, funding preparation, and connections to community lenders, CDFIs, and SSBCI-supported capital resources.
Deep local commitment — focused on serving Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI) entrepreneurs and Very Small Businesses across Will, Kankakee, Kendall, and Grundy counties.
A supportive path forward — you do not need to be perfect to begin. We review each submission carefully, identify next steps, and help you move forward with confidence.
What is SSBCI Technical Assistance?
Understanding the SSBCI Loan Technical Assistance Program
The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a federal program designed to expand access to capital for small businesses. Through the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO), a portion of SSBCI funding is dedicated to Technical Assistance (TA)—providing eligible business owners with expert accounting, legal, financial, and business advisory services at no cost.
Who Technical Assistance Is Designed to Support
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI) businesses, including minority-, women-, veteran-, and immigrant-owned businesses.
Very Small Businesses (VSBs) with 10 or fewer employees.
Businesses located in CDFI Investment Areas, or businesses whose controlling owners live in qualifying communities.
Regional Service Area
For the Small Business Growth Initiative (SBGI), services are available to eligible businesses located in:
• Will County
• Kankakee County
• Kendall County
• Grundy County
Who We Serve (Four-County Region)
We support eligible entrepreneurs and very small businesses across our region who are ready to strengthen their business foundation and pursue growth opportunities, including:
Business owners seeking stronger financial clarity — clean books, organized taxes, and lender-ready financial statements.
Entrepreneurs preparing for capital access — including micro-loans, lines of credit, and other funding opportunities designed to help businesses grow.
Very Small Businesses (10 or fewer employees) — teams that need practical guidance, operational support, and a clear roadmap for sustainable growth.
SEDI-owned businesses — including minority-, women-, veteran-, and immigrant-owned businesses seeking trusted advisory support and improved access to opportunity.
Regional Service Area
Will County • Kankakee County • Kendall County • Grundy County
Who We Serve
At AEMC, we specialize in helping underserved entrepreneurs build sustainable, fundable businesses. Our support focuses on:
Minority-Owned Businesses
Supporting entrepreneurs from historically underserved communities.
Women-Owned Businesses
Empowering female founders to thrive and grow.
Very Small Businesses
Micro-enterprise often overlooked by traditional support networks.
Veteran-Owned Businesses
Helping those who served transition to successful business ownership.
Immigrant-Owned Businesses
Supporting founders navigating business ownership, capital access, and growth in a new market.
Our Designation Focus
We prioritize businesses classified as:
- Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) Entrepreneurs who face systemic barriers to accessing capital and
- Very Small Businesses (VSB)
Regions We Serve in Illinois
Our services are available to businesses located in the following counties:
- Will County
- Kendall County
- Grundy County
- Kankakee County
Why Is It Free?
These services are funded through the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Technical Assistance Program, created to help eligible underserved entrepreneurs and very small businesses strengthen operations, improve financial readiness, and expand access to capital.
“I had to file tax returns for the past 2 years. I was a little nervous and concerned about owing the IRS, but AEMC walked me through everything and made it stress-free.”
— Deberal W., Client since 2023
“Kristal is such a great resource—she walked my business partner and me through business structures and offered great advice. We left confident and informed!”
— Nora M-J., Business Owner