ABOUT THE "BIC"

To meet the economic growth plans and address the needs of small businesses in Bolingbrook and its surrounding communities, SSCBIC is structured much like the traditional “business incubator.”  Its mission and goal is to provide the hands-on and/or virtual management and technical assistance that small businesses require to grow and prosper.  It has made its focus product development.  The SSCBIC will provide information and training on every phase of product development from the idea, to design to manufacture and distribution.  If a community is to develop economically, its small business owners must be provided the crucial business education and training that will enable them to grow and ultimately hire others.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Southwest Suburban Chicago Business Innovation Center is to provide the essential entrepreneurial education including hands-on training, management and technical assistance, and professional consulting to entrepreneurs resulting in economic development through job creation, and ultimately improving the lives of citizens in the communities they serve.

VISION STATEMENT

The vision of the Southwest Suburban Chicago Business Innovation Center is to realize an economically developed and thriving community where all small and start-up businesses, youth entrepreneurs, returning citizens and unemployed persons are receiving the necessary resources needed to grow, prosper and hire with the assistance of its government, local and national corporations.

MANAGEMENT OF THE BIC

Kimberly L. Johnson, Executive Director

Executive Director/Co-founder of the Southwest Suburban Chicago Business Innovation Center (SSCBIC).  Kimberly is the author and self-publisher of “The Start of Something BIG: Your Ultimate Guide to Writing a Dynamic Business Plan.”  She earned a Master of Arts Degree in Strategic Communications and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Public Relations from National University in San Diego, California.  She also earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Telecommunications from San Diego City College. 
 
Kimberly Johnson possesses thorough knowledge of federal, state and local regulations on small business development, equal opportunity contracting and equal opportunity employment.  She is an advocate for small businesses providing subject matter expertise, consulting and input on proposed legislation affecting contracting opportunities. 

Ms. Johnson is currently on a consulting team headquartered in Washington, DC providing monitoring and measuring technical support on workforce and minority business participation to the Department of General Services (DGS) on capital construction schools, parks and recreations centers, public safety, hotel/convention center, ballparks and public transportation rail projects ($500K to $3 billion) throughout metropolitan Washington

Ruth Y. Smith, Director of Operations

Operations Director/Co-founder of the Southwest Suburban Chicago Business Innovation Center (SSCBIC).  Ms. Ruth Smith studied business administration at Purdue University.  She also attended the University of Illinois where she focused on oral communications. In addition, received a certification from a women’s entrepreneurial program in Chicago.
 
While attending college she earned a management position her first week on the job.  She attributes her business acumen to her father who was self-employed.   Ruth has participated as a speaker or panelist in many women’s career workshops. 
 
Ms. Smith is the sole owner of Hey Mom, It Fits!, an online business that targets parents of plus-sized children. She understands the frustration parents endure when shopping for clothing for their plus-sized child.  Because of its success, Ms. Smith was featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, The Huffington Post, Chicago Readers, and other publications for her hard work and dedication.

OUR PARTNERS

 Kevin O'Keeffe, Executive Director, Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce

Michael Lawler, Deputy Mayor, Village of Bolingbrook

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