Taste of Accion
The 2012 Taste of Accion was in full flavor last Wednesday, November 28th as guests gathered at the Union League Club of Chicago for a night of food, drink, and celebration of small business. Our 230 guests included friends, clients, colleagues, and donors who came together to raise more than $48,000, which will be used to support many more small businesses with the necessary advice and capital to start or grow their business.
Client fare from 4 Suyos, Krazy Kake House, The Burger Point, Torti Products, and Spark of the Heart offered a diverse menu of burger sliders, papa rellenas, quesadillas, cupcakes, and more.
The program featured Dan Seals, the Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Seals spoke about the importance of Accion as an avenue for reaching small business owners and creating opportunities for those who cannot obtain loans through traditional resources, saying “At the starting line of life, everyone deserves an equal chance.”
Crystal Green, owner of Krazy Kake House, serves her Krazy Kup Kakes at the 2012 Taste of Accion.
The evening’s highlights included a panel discussion in which Linda Darragh, Executive Director of the Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice & the Heizer Center for Private Equity and Venture Capital at the Kellogg School of Management, interviewed three of our clients about their existing businesses. Cheryl Nelson, the owner of Grow and Go Express Weave Shop, and Tiesta Tea co-owners, Dan Klein and Patrick Tannous spoke about their journeys and early business experiences. Panel guests emphasized a dramatic increase in sales and growth stemming from the support and guidance that Accion provided.
The night concluded with a silent auction with items that included dining certificates, beverage baskets, sports tickets, and a variety of gifts donated by Accion clients.
We at Accion are grateful to all those who helped make this a fantastic event!
Special thanks is extended to our event sponsors:
Citibank, Chase Bank, MB Financial, Wintrust Financial Community Banks, American Chartered Bank, Bank of America, Charter One, First Eagle Bank, Northern Trust, PNC, The Private Bank, US Bank, Urban Partnership Bank, Talmer Bank and Trust, Community Savings Bank, First Savings Bank of Hegewisch, Popular Community Bank, The Jumper Store, Samuel Adams.
Congratulations to the Accion team, funders and clients! Those cupcakes look like they rival Lulu’s in Boston’s North End (another Accion client).