Panelists Identified Community Assets and Needs


The third question put to the panelists:


Each of you works with specific communities in terms of profession (business, culture and education), locale (Chicago and Champaign-Urbana), ethnicity and class. What are some specific challenges that your communities face right now? How might those challenges be addressed through the entrepreneurial process (i.e., identifying opportunities, gathering resources and creating something of value)?


Omar Duque was quick to point out that the Chamber's members face a number of challenges as they start businesses--just like anyone anyone starting a new business. The credit crunch has exacerbated those problems. But he also sees opportunity in that challenge: anyone who can offer value and cost savings to people has a real opportunity for success in our current economic climate.




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