Come and learn:
Innovative ways to reach your customer
Options for creative financing
New sales and distribution opportunities
Techniques for cross marketing relationships

What is CCV Hearts Small Business?
CCV Hearts Small Business is a quarterly educational forum that allows people to get the industry-specific information they need, in a relaxed environment. 

Who Should Attend
Are you passionate about selling food? Maybe you are or aspire to be a:

• caterer
• food purveyor
• restaurant owner

Then YOU need to be at this event. Register today!

Venue
Mr. Brown’s Lounge
2301 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60612

Format
Targeted networking and focused discussion with a panel of industry experts. Our goal is to make sure that everyone walks away with at least 1 real connection.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Refreshments will be served and drink specials available. Tabletop exhibition opportunities available. See the “exhibitor” ticket option. Contact cfreemon@chiventures.org

Speakers

Chef/Owner Cleetus Friedman, City Provisions
Cleetus Friedman is a lifelong chef, entertainer and event planner who is revolutionizing the green eating scene in Chicago.  In the short time since City Provisions opened its doors in February of 2008, it has become the premiere catering and events company for the conscious-minded and beyond. Its unique offerings include a farm-to-fork Supper Club/Farm Dinner series (where patrons board a biodiesel bus and eat a five-course meal at a local farm, meet the farmers and learn about food from the ground up-all part of Friedman's educational mission).  In addition September 2010 brought to life the next stage of Chef Cleetus's dream:  the City Provisions Delicatessen, where patrons can please their belly and their conscious.

Darius T. Williams, Chef/Owner, The Cupcake Gallery and The Uptown Pie Company
A self-taught cook of all things quick and easy, Darius T. Williams has always been passionate about food. Williams started his Everyday Cookin’ empire as a solution to cooking problems everywhere; this includes the Everyday Cookin’ blog (winner of 2008 Black Weblog Award), videos, radio show, and ECTV, an online network coming soon. Because of his popularity through Everyday Cookin', Darius also made an appearance on the Food Network show, Cooking for Real with Sunny Anderson.

In 2009, he opened The Cupcake Gallery, and recently, he opened the doors of his newest venture, The Uptown Pie Company. In all his endeavors, he aligns himself to one simple statement: “Food is my life and life is my food.”

Dominic Melone, Manager of Finance and Accounting, Frontera Foods
Frontera Foods is an umbrella group that includes the following brands:

Frontera Foods – retail consumer packaged Mexican foods
Red Fork Natural Foods - retail consumer Contemporary America foods
Frontera Fresco - the Quick Service Mexican Restaurants in Macy's
Tortas Frontera - the Quick Service Mexican Restaurant in O’Hare Airport
Frontera Media Production – Production Company, Mexico - One Plate at a Time on Public Television 

Dominic's day to day interactions with the brands change, but the bottom line is the same: ensuring financial viability and success of each endeavor. Dominic's passion for small business number crunching did not start with Frontera. Dominic previously served as Director of Lending and Economic Development at Chicago Community Ventures, working with businesses in distressed communities to uncover and address issues that are hindering growth.  He has been working in small business development since 1995.  

Chicago Community Ventures is a not for profit small business development agency. Most of our services are at no charge to the client. We are funded by individual donations, grants and charitable contributions. Proceeds from this event will support our services, so we can continue to empower small business owners and build businesses that build communities.