National Small Business Week

For more than 60 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has celebrated National Small Business Week (NSBW), which acknowledges the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. National Small Business Week is an official recognition of the hard work, ingenuity, dedication, and economic contributions of small businesses. 

Our local community has a symbiotic relationship with its small businesses – when we support and invest in each other, we thrive together. In support of that relationship, the Village of Oak Park Office of Economic Vitality has partnered with the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce, Dominican University's Brennan School of Business, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) on a week of free programming to celebrate and support our local small businesses. From boutique retailers and neighborhood restaurants to professional service providers and creative studios, small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and this celebration is an opportunity to recognize their contributions and reinforce our collective commitment to their success.

Join us for a series of events that are designed to uplift small businesses in our community by bringing together subject matter experts who will not only present on critical topics but also be available to speak with business owners as a group and one on one. These free events are open to Oak Park small business owners, Oak Park residents that own small businesses, and Oak Park-River Forest Chamber members and prospective members.

Small businesses are far more than economic engines — they are community builders. Studies consistently show that locally owned businesses recirculate a significantly greater share of revenue back into the local economy compared to national chains. This supports jobs, funds community programs, and strengthens the social fabric of the neighborhoods they call home. In our area, small businesses drive foot traffic, activate our commercial corridors, and foster the kind of vibrant, walkable community that attracts residents and visitors alike. 

Collectively, the Office of Economic Vitality, the Chamber, the Brennan School of Business, and the SBA are excited to bring a celebration of National Small Business Week to our community for the first time. This celebration reflects a shared vision: when we invest in small businesses, we invest in the long-term vitality and resilience of our communities.