Are you trying to figure out how to make your business less dependent on you? Wish you could spend more time managing people and generating new business rather than doing the work? Wonder if you could take a real vacation while the business continues to operate smoothly? These are all questions faced by owners of growing businesses, who at some point must “let go” of their day-to-day operations to position their firms for further growth and success.

Topics covered will include:

• Specific processes and activities that owners of growing businesses can and should systemize
• How to document operations, training plans, employees policies, and other business processes
• Finding the right person to perform critical tasks (and then not micro-managing the employee)

Panelists

Jill Hebert
Jill Hebert is owner and CEO of Matrex Exhibits, Inc., an Addison-based firm that designs, fabricates and manages custom trade show exhibits. She launched Matrex in 1987, and today the company generates $20 million in annual revenue, employs over 60 people nationwide, and is the only 100% woman-owned exhibit company in the U.S. Hebert spends much of her time today formally mentoring emerging entrepreneurs.

Brian O’Donnell
Brian O’Donnell is President of Armitage Direct, and Armitage Hardware & Building Supply. He began his entrepreneurial career at an early age in real estate development, followed by a family-owned hardware store. In 1995, he transformed that business by taking it online with an internet store, adding five additional Internet stores over twelve years. Brian earned his B.S. in Commerce from DePaul University.

Robert Thorp
Robert Thorp is founder and President of FITOP (Financial Industry’s Technical Officers & Professionals). Prior to launching FITOP in 1999, Thorp was a founding member of three technology spin-outs from global financial organizations, as well as an officer in the banking and insurance industries. He is a regular speaker and writer on both entrepreneurial and finance topics. Thorp earned his MBA from DePaul University.

Jon Wool
Jon Wool is founder and President of Finesse Cuisine, a company that delivers off-premise entertaining and fine dining. Prior to founding Finesse Cuisine in 2004, Wool opened and operated the Chicago division of Wolfgang Puck’s catering initiative, and had a long acting career in major films, TV shows and commercials, and theatrical productions. Jon earned his bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University and attended the MBA program at Loyola University.