Turning a side hustle into a real business is exciting. Navigating permits, licenses, and compliance is not. Many founders discover that Chicago's regulatory maze becomes one of the biggest obstacles to growth long before finding customers does.

🎯 Why you should be in this room.

  • Understand the regulatory hurdles that catch most founders by surprise.

  • Learn practical ways to navigate permits, licensing, and compliance with confidence.

  • Hear how founders successfully transitioned from side hustle to full-time business.

  • Gain clarity on when to formalize your business and what steps matter most.

  • Connect with founders and experts who have already navigated Chicago's small business ecosystem.

💬 What's on the table.

  • From side hustle to business When it's time to make the leap and what changes next.

  • Navigating the regulatory maze Permits, licensing, compliance, and the requirements founders often overlook.

  • Avoiding costly mistakes The common missteps that delay growth and how to prevent them.

  • Building with confidence Practical strategies for growing a business while staying compliant.

  • Making Chicago work for you How founders can use local resources, communities, and support systems to build successfully.

🎤 Featured speakers.

Joel Galam - Founder, 312 Sky Eye

Joel Galam is the founder and FAA Part 107 certified drone pilot behind 312 Sky Eye, a Chicago aerial media company specializing in cinematic FPV (First Person View) and aerial storytelling for small businesses, venues, events, and community organizations. After nearly 30 years as a cardiac nurse, Joel recently left healthcare to focus on growing 312 Sky Eye full time.

His nursing career taught him how to remain calm under pressure, prepare carefully, put safety first, and serve people well. He now brings those same qualities to every flight and client relationship. Joel is passionate about supporting Chicago’s small business and creative communities and helping organizations share their stories in ways that get people’s attention. Because he is making this transition right now, Joel can speak honestly about what it takes to turn a side hustle into a full time business.

Liz Hope - Senior Business Development Manager, New Covenant Community Development Corporation (NCCDC)

Elizabeth “Liz” Hope is a business development leader, entrepreneur, trainer, and community advocate with more than 30 years of leadership experience across corporate America, nonprofit management, entrepreneurship, and ministry. As Senior Business Development Manager for New Covenant Community Development Corporation (NCCDC), Liz is passionate about helping entrepreneurs build stronger, more sustainable businesses. She facilitates NCCDC’s flagship Business Financial Development (BFD) program, where she helps small business owners strengthen their financial knowledge, increase accountability, and make informed decisions for business growth. Liz is a certified trainer and facilitator with extensive experience in business development, leadership, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. She is also a Distinguished Toastmaster known for her engaging and motivational speaking style. An entrepreneur for more than 25 years, Liz combines practical business experience with a passion for engaging, encouraging, and empowering entrepreneurs and underserved communities to create economic opportunity and lasting impact

Alex Felton - Vice President and Senior Business Development Officer, Pursuit

Alex Felton serves as Vice President and Senior Business Development Officer for Pursuit. Pursuit is a mission based (CDFI) Community Development Financial Institution within the Chicagoland footprint. Alex has always been passionate and intentional about community; His personal mission is to serve and provide underserved and low to moderate businesses within the respective communities with loan capacity and empowerment. He has been in the financial arena for over 17 years and has held countless Business development positions that promote lending and working capital. Alex is mindful of greater business development Planning when engaging the community and reminds all entrepreneurs that succession planning is always essential to driving a better community.

Stephanie Fuller - President, Travis Strategies & Iris Consulting Solutions

Stephanie Fuller knows what it takes to build a business from the ground up — she's done it twice. She's the owner of two Springfield, IL based companies: Travis Strategies, LLC, a certified Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise (PBE) business services firm, and Iris Consulting Solutions, LLC, a woman-owned, BEP-certified consulting and staffing firm. Over the past ten years, Stephanie has grown her consulting work into a full-time, thriving practice serving public sector and healthcare clients across Illinois, building a reputation strong enough to earn invitations to present her expertise to government leaders and officials on multiple occasions. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with 29 years of leadership experience, she brings both the discipline of a seasoned executive and the resourcefulness of an entrepreneur to everything she builds. Stephanie lives in central Illinois with her husband, four sons, and three dogs,. Juggling a busy household while scaling two businesses has taught her more than a few lessons about hustle, priorities, and building something that lasts.

🙋 Who's getting in.

  • Founders turning side hustles into full-time businesses

  • Small business owners navigating Chicago's regulatory landscape

  • Operators, advisors, and legal professionals supporting business growth

  • Community leaders and ecosystem partners helping entrepreneurs succeed

🤝 Who's backing this.

SBAC

SBAC supports the small business community through nonpartisan, policy-driven advocacy and by fostering connectivity and collaboration through engagement and events.

Prism Spaces

Prism Spaces is an independent coworking community in Wicker Park where Chicago's creatives and founders do their best work, powered by the quiet momentum of good people working alongside them.

GREY Journal

Media partner spotlighting modern entrepreneurs (featured on Apple News + Google News).

⭐ About Ugly Talk

Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough "aha!" moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons and insights.

With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami, we've built a vibrant community of thousands of founders and industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.

Official Website: UglyTalk.com

📢 Important Notice for Ugly Talk Attendees

Admission & Confirmation

Attendance is by approval only. Approved guests will receive a confirmation email along with a calendar invite. Invitations are non-transferable. Additional event details will be shared as the event approaches.

Code of Conduct

By attending, you agree to:

  • Maintain respect and professionalism, adhering to all venue rules, policies, and applicable laws.

  • Refrain from harassment, discrimination, unwelcome sexual advances (verbal or physical), intimidation, or inappropriate photography/recording.

  • Report any violations to the event hosts immediately.

Violations may result in immediate removal from the event and exclusion from future invitations.

Liability & Risk

Participation is voluntary and at your own risk. The event organizers, hosts, sponsors, and venue are not liable for personal injury, lost or stolen belongings, or any other damages incurred during the event.

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By attending, you grant the event organizers and affiliated entities the right to capture, use, and distribute photos, videos, and audio recordings of you for promotional, marketing, and other lawful purposes, including digital and print media, advertising, and social media. You waive any right to inspect or approve the final materials and release all claims related to their use.

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Agreement

If you do not agree to this Code of Conduct, please refrain from attending the event.

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