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Builders Avenue https://buildersavenue.org/

Contractors' commitment to excellence, the willingness to lead, and the courage to take on responsibility transform proj...
09/17/2026

Contractors' commitment to excellence, the willingness to lead, and the courage to take on responsibility transform projects into lasting impact.

Construction work creates jobs that pay real wages. It builds infrastructure that serves entire communities. It creates pathways to generational wealth for entrepreneurs willing to take on the challenge and responsibility.

When you see a construction site, you're seeing more than a project. You're seeing jobs being created, neighborhoods being strengthened, and futures being built in real time.

This week, we honor the contractors and construction workers building Chicago stronger. Your contribution is seen, valued, and deeply appreciated.

Thank you for the work you do. Thank you for building better.

Last month, Builders Avenue joined fellow business service organizations, referral partners, and community development f...
09/15/2026

Last month, Builders Avenue joined fellow business service organizations, referral partners, and community development finance institutions at the Cook County Source Partner Network Meeting at The Hatchery.

The conversation focused on what small business owners need right now and where gaps still exist in the support ecosystem. When you get coaches, lenders, advisors, and community organizations in one room, you hear what's really working and what's not. You find the gaps. You identify where partnerships can fill them.

The ecosystem gets stronger through networks of people committed to showing up for small business owners consistently and honestly.

The contractors we work with benefit when we're connected like this—when we know what lenders need, what other advisors are seeing, what the real barriers are. Partnership creates better support. Better support creates better outcomes.

Thank you to the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development for bringing this network together and to everyone who stopped by to connect. We're honored to be part of an ecosystem that genuinely shows up for small business owners in Cook County.

We're always glad to be part of this work.

We believe that true industry transformation begins with shared prosperity. We recently had the privilege of joining vis...
09/10/2026

We believe that true industry transformation begins with shared prosperity.

We recently had the privilege of joining visionary leaders Camille Kerr (VOLTS) and Felipe Witchger (Francesco Collaborative) at the EO Equals Summit in Chicago to champion the power and future of employee ownership.

Rooted in our commitment to community empowerment, employee ownership models do more than redistribute profit—they cultivate a deep culture of shared stewardship. When workers become co-owners, every contributor is empowered to build with purpose, drive sustainable innovation, and directly share in the value they create every day.

As we partner with construction leaders to build resilient, mission-driven businesses, democratizing ownership provides a vital pathway to equity and generational wealth. Together, we are establishing a new standard for the construction sector—one where company growth directly elevates and enriches local communities.

We are deeply grateful to Project Equity and the EO Equals Summit for leading this transformative dialogue. The future of the trades lies in collaborative, community-centered ownership that honors the dedicated hands building our world.

Thank you to Camille Kerr, Felipe Witchger, and every advocate in this growing movement working toward sustainable, equitable economic justice for all tradespeople.

Link in bio to Learn more about the EO Equals Summit

If you want to scale your construction business, you need to know how to access capital.Join the Southland Development A...
09/08/2026

If you want to scale your construction business, you need to know how to access capital.

Join the Southland Development Authority , the Steans Family Foundation, and Builders Avenue for a high-impact virtual event on Wednesday, September 16. Specifically for construction and manufacturing businesses. The focus: how to access capital for growth and scaling.

This is your exclusive opportunity to connect directly with strategic investors, Andrew Witherspoon and Leo Smith, who possess deep expertise in the construction sector.

Gain critical, behind-the-scenes insights into:
How lenders evaluate contractors
Proven strategies to position your business for capital access
Current lending programs and investment opportunities

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM
Format: Virtual
Register via the link: https://bit.ly/4iRV535

Don’t miss this chance to partner with an ecosystem dedicated to strengthening your business and driving your growth.

Tag a construction worker or service provider you appreciate today. Someone who shows up, delivers, and builds something...
09/07/2026

Tag a construction worker or service provider you appreciate today. Someone who shows up, delivers, and builds something that matters.

Today we honor the workers who pour their time, skills, and heart into building our neighborhoods. Construction work demands long days in unpredictable weather, precise ex*****on on complex projects, and the responsibility of leading crews and maintaining safety standards. It's work that requires both technical skill and genuine commitment to quality.

At Builders Avenue, we're proud to support the construction owners who create jobs and opportunities while strengthening communities. The contractors in our network aren't just skilled at their trade—they're building employment, investing in neighborhoods, and creating pathways to generational wealth for themselves and the people who work with them.

To every construction professional in Chicago, thank you. Your work builds our city. Your contribution is essential and deeply appreciated.

Big congratulations to LaTorya Street! She was just named one of 37 finalists in the LISC National Pitch Competition, an...
08/31/2026

Big congratulations to LaTorya Street! She was just named one of 37 finalists in the LISC National Pitch Competition, and she's also joining Cohort 3 of Illinois' Affordable Housing Development program.

LaTorya is a Chicago developer working right where she's from - rehabbing homes and building new construction in North Lawndale, from start to finish. She also owns Street Insurance Agency Inc., and running that business has taught her a lot about budgets, risk, and keeping things financially sound - skills she brings straight into her development work.

She grew up watching her mom buy and fix up properties in the neighborhood, and that early experience is a big part of why she does this work today: building for the long term and reinvesting in the community.

Careful planning. Smart risk management. Hands-on oversight from day one to move-in day. That's LaTorya's approach, and it's why this recognition is so well deserved.

We're cheering you on, LaTorya!

Cook County Source empowers small businesses across Cook County with:Free one-on-one expert business advisingTools and r...
08/25/2026

Cook County Source empowers small businesses across Cook County with:
Free one-on-one expert business advising
Tools and resources to help businesses thrive
Events offering key insights and connections
Access to financing opportunities

With a special focus on women, people of color, and microbusinesses, they’re driving real impact in our local economy.

Thank you for championing entrepreneurs and strengthening our business community! Learn more at cookcountysmallbiz.org.

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Builders Avenue team recently completed the Advisor Academy, a four-day coaching training hosted by the Women's Business...
08/19/2026

Builders Avenue team recently completed the Advisor Academy, a four-day coaching training hosted by the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) and the Entrepreneurial Development and Leadership Institute (EDLI).

The training focused on sharpening our coaching and advisory skills so we can continue delivering meaningful support to the small business owners and contractors we serve across Chicago.

We’re grateful for the depth of the curriculum, the relationships built with fellow advisors, and the continued partnership with WBDC and EDLI in strengthening the small business ecosystem.

If your business could use a hands-on advisor who’s continuously investing in better ways to support you, we’d welcome the conversation. Reach out to learn more about how Builders Avenue can help.

Free legal webinar series for entrepreneurs.Our partner LANE (Legal Aid for New Entrepreneurs) is hosting three free vir...
08/17/2026

Free legal webinar series for entrepreneurs.

Our partner LANE (Legal Aid for New Entrepreneurs) is hosting three free virtual sessions this month on the legal issues that trip up a lot of business owners: operating agreements, liability, and contracts.

- August 26: Operating Agreements & Bylaws Explained
- August 27: Is Your Liability Really Limited?
- August 28: How to Review and Negotiate a Contract

All sessions run 1–2 PM CT. Join one or all three.
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This month, we celebrate National Black Business Month and the contractors building wealth in Chicago.Construction has a...
08/16/2026

This month, we celebrate National Black Business Month and the contractors building wealth in Chicago.

Construction has always been a path to generational wealth. A skilled trade. A business that scales. A foundation that supports families and communities for decades. But the path to owning and scaling a construction business has never been equal for everyone.

The contractors we work with who are bidding bigger projects, managing crews, building systems, and accessing capital -they're building businesses. Some navigate barriers that others don't. All of them deserve support, resources, and partnership.

It takes more than skill to build something meaningful. It takes belief in yourself, a community that supports you, and people who understand what you're trying to accomplish.

This month we celebrate every contractor building. We celebrate the families who are benefiting from their work. We celebrate the communities that are stronger because of their success.

We also commit to doing our part. Supporting contractors. Connecting them to capital. Building systems that create opportunity. Making sure the path to wealth through construction is available to everyone willing to work for it.

We're building alongside you.

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