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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

Turner Center for Entrepreneurship

Name: Turner Center for Entrepreneurship
Address: Bradley University, Business and Engineering Convergence Center, 1501 W Bradley Avenue, Suite 1130, Peoria, IL, 61625, US
Telephone: +13096772992

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Turner Center for Entrepreneurship

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Your team of experts helping businesses start, grow and innovate in Central Illinois.

10/23/2026

You’ve heard what AI can do. Now learn how to actually use it in your business.

We’re excited to co-sponsor a new lineup of virtual workshops with Maria Elena Duron, nationally recognized Grow with Google Coach and Chief AI Officer.

From now through December, small business owners and entrepreneurs can join us for practical, one-hour sessions covering some of the biggest opportunities in business today:

🔎 Getting found on Google and AI-powered search
🤖 Putting Gemini and AI to work on real business tasks
📊 Using analytics to make smarter decisions
📣 Creating marketing content faster with AI
⚙️ Automating repetitive work
🎥 Building visibility through YouTube
💡 Strengthening your business strategy for an AI-driven future

Maria Elena has trained more than 18,000 businesses to turn digital confusion into practical systems that help them get seen, trusted, and chosen.

Choose the topics that matter most to your business, or join us for the whole series!

Grow with Google Virtual Workshops
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Multiple dates October - December: Webinars

👉 View the upcoming webinars and register:https://theturnercenter.org/events/

10/21/2026

What If You Had an AI Team Working for Your Small Business?

Imagine having a team to help you save time, simplify marketing, automate repetitive tasks, and explore new ways to grow your business — at NO COST!

The Turner Center for Entrepreneurship's AIU Student Team is ready to help small businesses put AI to work!

Here's how our team can help:

✅ Create social media content, marketing strategies, and promotional campaigns
✅ Automate repetitive tasks and streamline business processes
✅ Develop customized AI assistants for your business
✅ Explore website improvements, chatbots, and smarter workflows

You don't need to know anything about AI to get started! Whether you have a specific project in mind or just want to explore what's possible, our team can help identify practical solutions for your business.

You bring the business challenge. We'll help explore the solution!

Our AIU Student Team is accepting small business projects now!

Get started today:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqWg-2qZZXtZx05rl8oqQc-H-Oq13V1VmrvmO8DhnhyvgZhA/viewform

10/20/2026

Meet the Turner Center Team: Theresa Bloom, Director of AIU & Social Media Adviser!

10/16/2026

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!

The Turner Center for Entrepreneurship recently celebrated 25 years of supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs at our 25th Anniversary Celebration, Small Business Awards Ceremony & Hall of Fame Honoree Induction!

Celebrating small businesses and entrepreneurship is what we do at the Turner Center! ❤️

Throughout the year, our team has the privilege of working with hundreds of entrepreneurs and small business owners, helping them start, grow, and succeed. Our annual awards ceremony is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the incredible businesses, inspiring individuals, and entrepreneurial spirit that make our Central Illinois business community so special.

Congratulations once again to all of this year's award winners and Hall of Fame honoree! Your hard work, dedication, and contributions to our community deserve to be celebrated.

The 2026 Small Business Award recipients:
*Startup of the Year: The Floor Boss
*Small Business of the Year: US Air Purifiers
*Innovation of the Year: Aegis Adaptive
*Government Contractor of the Year: Carter Paper & Packaging
*Exporter of the Year: Zarc International
*Rural Business of the Year: Wendy Puff Pizzeria + Pub
*A Matter of Taste Kitchen Food Entrepreneur of the Year: Moore Skillz Kitchen
*Small Business Advocate of the Year: Sally Hanley, VP of Programs, Greater Peoria
Economic Development Council
*Community Partner of the Year: Village of Peoria Heights
*Women in Business Leadership Award: Stacy Brooks, President, NAWBO

The celebration also included the inaugural induction to the Turner Center Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame. The founder of Avanti’s, Albert Zeller, received the honor.

If you missed this year's celebration, don't worry! We'll be back next year to recognize 10 more outstanding businesses and entrepreneurs who are making a difference in our region.

🎥 Watch WMBD's coverage of this year's celebration and join us in recognizing the people and businesses that make Central Illinois thrive!
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/turner-center-small-business-awards/

10/14/2026

We enjoyed sharing our 25th anniversary with everyone at our annual awards ceremony. It is our honor to celebrate and showcase our successful amazing clients!

10/14/2026

Meet the Turner Center Team: Amy Lambert, Assistant Director, Illinois SBDC at Bradley University!

10/13/2026

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER! Make a Difference in Your Community!

Have you ever considered serving on a nonprofit board or committee but weren't sure where to start?

Join us this Thursday, October 15, for "BoardSERVE: The Fundamentals of Serving on a Nonprofit Committee or Board of Directors"!

Learn what it takes to become an effective board member, including nonprofit finances, leadership, organizational structure, and strategic decision-making.

Hear from leaders at Heart of Illinois United Way and discover how your skills and experience can help strengthen local nonprofits and create lasting change!

📅 Thursday, October 15, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:30 PM
📍 Peoria NEXT Innovation Center
💲 No Cost to Attend!
🥪 Bring your lunch if you'd like. Refreshments provided!

Don't miss this opportunity to take the first step toward meaningful board service!

Register today: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/g2pvbn6

10/09/2026

Get Your Holiday Marketing Ready!
The holiday season is here, and now is the time to make sure your business has a plan to reach customers, promote your products or services, and stay consistent on social media.

Turner Center clients can receive no-cost assistance developing a holiday marketing and social media strategy tailored to their business.

We can help with:
🎄 Holiday marketing and promotional ideas
📱 Social media strategy and content calendars
✍️ Holiday post ideas, captions, and messaging
🎨 Branded graphics and content creation
📸 Ideas for photos, videos, Reels, and behind-the-scenes content
💻 Website updates and holiday messaging
🤖 Using AI to make content creation and marketing easier
🗓️ Planning promotions from Thanksgiving through the New Year

Our Student AI Team is also accepting new client projects and can help explore ways AI can save time, streamline marketing, and create repeatable content processes for your business.

Don't wait until the holidays are in full swing to start marketing. Let us help you build your plan now so you're ready for the season.

Ready to get started?

Contact the Turner Center to learn more about our no-cost social media, marketing, website, and AI assistance available to Turner Center clients.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqWg-2qZZXtZx05rl8oqQc-H-Oq13V1VmrvmO8DhnhyvgZhA/viewform

10/08/2026

We are excited to celebrate National APEX Day in Illinois!
Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed October 8 as National APEX Day, recognizing the important role APEX Accelerators play in helping businesses successfully compete for federal, state, and local government contracts.

APEX Day is an opportunity to celebrate the businesses we serve and the successes they have achieved through government contracting.

To mark the occasion, join the Illinois APEX Accelerator Center at Bradley University on Oct. 8 at 2:30pm for the webinar, "Beyond Federal: Winning in the SLED Market," hosted by the Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC.

Learn more by reading the attached proclamation, and register for the webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yGL1NChLT9OHI2esCVM3tA

10/07/2026

Thinking about starting a business in Illinois? Start here!

Join us for our "Starting Your Business in Illinois Workshop" and learn the essential steps to turn your business idea into a reality.

📅 October 14
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 In Person
💲 No Cost

During this two-hour workshop, you’ll learn about:

✅ Registering your business name
✅ Obtaining a tax ID number
✅ Choosing the right legal structure
✅ Business planning
✅ Understanding taxes
✅ Financing options
✅ Resources available to help you succeed

And the support doesn’t end when the workshop does! After attending, you’ll have the opportunity to work one-on-one with our certified business advisors as you navigate the next steps in starting and growing your business.

Whether you have a business idea you’re ready to pursue or you’re simply wondering where to begin, this workshop is a great place to start.

Register today and take the first step toward starting your business: https://theturnercenter.org/event/starting-your-business-in-illinois-workshop-14/

Address

Bradley University, Business And Engineering Convergence Center, 1501 W Bradley Avenue, Suite 1130
Peoria, IL
61625

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13096772992

Website

https://theturnercenter.org/

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