CHICAGO — Identity theft exceeded $52 billion in losses last year, making fraud America’s fastest growing crime. Business owners will learn how to prevent identity theft, secure capital within legal guidelines and minimize debt to build a successful company during a series of workshops on June 13 presented by the Chicago Family Business Council and Coleman Entrepreneurship Center at DePaul University.

The three-part program begins at 3 p.m. at the Chicago Club, 81 E. Van Buren St., with a session on lending market opportunities and the prevention of electronic fraud. Vice presidents Chris Prestegaard and Jennifer Roths from American Chartered Bank will explain the benefits offered by banks and how to protect against electronic fraud. Jonathan W. Michael, partner of Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C., will provide business owners with insight and guidelines to take on new debt. 

A session titled “Hard Lessons Learned by Entrepreneurs,” which begins at 4 p.m., addresses the common issues entrepreneurs face during the startup period and after their company begins to mature. Attendees will receive tips on how to navigate sensitive relationships with partners and shareholders when dealing with equity issues.

The last part of the series begins at 6 p.m. after a 5 p.m. cocktail reception. A panel discussion titled “Flexibility: Growing Better, Faster, Stronger” will feature some of the Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 honorees discussing the tactics that led to the development of world-renowned business ventures. Panelists will delve into the role flexibility plays in business practices and unveil the steps taken to achieve personal and team goals. Attendees will hear directly from successful business leaders how to nourish a company to help it thrive.

Attendees may sign up for the three-part program or individual sessions. The fee is $50, free to the CFBC and DePaul communities, and special discount for Crain’s subscribers and 1871 members. Registration required. Register at http://bit.ly/13us9zb.

### 

Media Contact:

Judy Hogel, Executive Director, Chicago Family Business Council

judy@chicagofbc.com

(312) 362-7518