Our 6-week hybrid course, “Mastering Microsoft 365 Copilot for Personal & Professional Applications,” is designed to help small business owners unlock the power of AI — without needing to be tech-savvy.

What You’ll Learn:

Week 1: Copilot + Word – Writing & Content Creation

Week 2: Copilot + Microsoft Designer – Visuals & Graphics

Week 3: Copilot + Excel – Data Entry & Analysis

Week 4: Copilot + Excel & PowerPoint – Reports & Presentations

Week 5: Copilot Studio – Creating Your First Agent

Week 6: Copilot Studio – Building Smart Workflows for Repetitive Tasks

Course Format & Flexibility:

Classes on Tuesdays from 4- 5:30pm starting Oct. 21 - Dec. 2 (no class Nov. 25)

Hybrid: Attend in person at Bradley University, Business & Engineering Convergence Center | 1130, live via Zoom, or watch the weekly recordings

Many small businesses win purchase orders or  government contracts but lack the available cash flow or bonding capacity to perform. This workshop will help participants understand how to secure working capital through purchase order and contract financing, meet bonding requirements, and position their company for larger contract opportunities.

What are alternative funding options and why do I need them?

Purchase order (PO) and contract financing are used by small businesses to cover the costs of fulfilling a customer's order or a large contract when they lack immediate capital. 

Do I need to have bonds?

Bonds are often required for state and local government projects, with specific state and local requirements for contractors. Bonds guarantee performance and payment to subcontractors, with a three-party contract involving the principal, obligee, and surety. 

Winning a big order or government contract is only half the challenge; 

financing and bonding it are the other half. 

Join experts Bob Jaskiewicz and Larry Polec for a practical session on how small businesses can use purchase order and contract financing to fund performance, meet surety bonding requirements, and strengthen their capacity for larger opportunities. This in-person event will cover the following topics:

Purchase Order Funding - Access capital for growth

• What types of small businesses should consider purchase order or contract financing?

• What is purchase order (PO) financing and when is it appropriate?

• What’s the difference between PO financing, factoring, and contract financing?

• How can small businesses use these tools to fulfill large government or commercial orders?

• What are the key costs, risks, and lender expectations?

• How does purchase order financing work?

• What are the benefits of purchase order financing versus other operating capital options?

Bonding - Guarantee performance and payment

• What types of small businesses should be aware of bonding requirements?

• What are the benefits of surety bonding for small businesses?

• How does a small business qualify for bonding?

• What costs will the small business incur?

• Do higher levels of surety bonding have additional requirements?

• When is a surety bond required in government contracting?

• What does it mean to be “bondable”?

• How can small businesses qualify for bonding or increase bonding capacity?

• What are common mistakes that prevent contractors from obtaining bonds?

Speakers:  Bob Jaskiewicz and Larry Polec

BOB JASKIEWICZ:  Robert (Bob) Jaskiewicz is a graduate of Michigan State University and served on the faculty of Michigan State from 1972 until 1985.  Bob has been in the Alternative Finance Industry from 1986 until present.   Founded by Bob, 1776 Capital Finance LLC specializes in working with start ups as well as established businesses who sell to business or government, but are not able to obtain traditional bank financing. 1776 Capital Finance LLC provides funding using your business or government purchase orders or invoices as collateral.

LARRY POLEC: For more than 35 years, Larry Polec has been actively helping small and emerging and scaling businesses achieve their goals through various surety programs, including the SBA.

Larry served as Project Director of Risk Management for the Detroit Bankruptcy Team overseeing the risk mitigations efforts to reduce claims in addition to identifying and implementing resources to improve the City’s comprehensive insurance program.

Larry has presented surety seminars to Johns Hopkins University, City of Detroit, Minority Enterprise Week (United States Department of Commerce), City of Atlanta, Indiana Department of Administration and others.

This event is co-sponsored by the Illinois APEX Accelerator Center and the Illinois Small Business Development Center which are both part of the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University.

Join us for some holiday shopping with over 10 handpicked vendors that have boutique style booths overflowing with handmade products and vintage treasures PLUS food, a cash bar and more! The event is completely indoors, with the exception of a few mobile shops.

The market will be Saturday, November 22nd from 10am to 5pm.

The Morton Community Chorus & Orchestra presents George Frideric Handel's musical masterpiece.  There will be a 20 minute organ prelude by Peter Wykert, organist and cantor for Trinity Lutheran Church, Peoria.