SmartStart Pekin Growth Challenge

FALL APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED. STAY TUNED FOR THE SPRING COHORT ANNOUNCEMENT!

Are you an early stage small business owner in Pekin or greater Tazewell County looking to grow strategically this year?

Whether you have a home-based business or brick-and-mortar shop, the SmartStart Pekin Growth Challenge will give you the tools and support to take your business to the next level—whatever that means for you!

What is the SmartStart Pekin Growth Challenge?

A 12-week intensive program designed to help early-stage business owners create and execute a growth and marketing strategy that works for their business. Participants will learn from small business experts, develop real-world strategies in class and apply them between sessions, gaining hands-on experience to grow their business.

The SmartStart Pekin Growth Challenge has a value of over $1000 per participant, but is available at no-cost thanks to the partnership of Tazewell County, Pekin Area Chamber Of Commerce, City of Pekin, and SmartStart Business Development.

Who Should Apply?

This program is available by application only and designed for:

✅ Early-stage businesses in Tazewell County (less than 5 years old)

✅ Generating under $25K in annual revenue (if you make more, you can still apply!)

✅ Home-based entrepreneurs looking to grow

✅ Brick-and-mortar businesses wanting more customers

✅ Business owners eager to implement strategies and grow

If you only meet a few of these criteria, you can still apply!!

Why Should You Apply?

Here's what past SmartStart Growth Challenge participants had to say:

“I was able to discover an entirely new market for my business that I wasn't aware of because of the SmartStart Growth Challenge. Katie and Marci truly care about your business.”— Jennifer, Lavender Creek and Honey Farms

“I've been an entrepreneur for a while in other businesses, but SmartStart Growth Challenge gave me new insight and a plan that I needed to grow my new business.”— Christina, author & speaker, Messages To Her, From Her, For Her

“My business was kinda stuck. I wasn't sure how to grow it. Because of the SmartStart Growth Challenge, I just had my best trade show ever, have many new contacts, and a new market to target.”— Chad, Unsub Masks

What You’ll Gain

✔️ A step-by-step marketing & growth strategy tailored to your business

✔️ A solid business foundation with tools for long-term success

✔️ Clarity on who your ideal customers are

✔️ Support and feedback from mentors and peers

✔️ A chance to win a $500 SmartStart Prize

✔️ A fresh perspecitive on how to grow with purpost

How It Works

• Challenge will run First week of September - November

• Participate in two 60-minute workshops via Zoom per month (after one in person kick-off workshop)

• Work on real strategies with the help of small business experts and the Growth Challenge participants

• Homework and strategy implementation between workshops

• Join SmartStart Pekin community workshops for extra learning & networking

Don’t miss this opportunity to build your business with expert guidance and support!

📌 Application Deadline: July 31, 2025

📢 Participants Announced: August 4, 2025

🚀 Cohort Starts: First week of September 2025

Have questions? Contact us at info@smartstartcommunity.com. We can’t wait to help you grow your business!

APPLY NOW!