Are you losing customers without even realizing it? Getting people through the door is only half the battle. Keeping them coming back is what grows your business. If you’re one of the student entrepreneurs building a venture with 71 North, or you already run a business of your own, this free 90-minute workshop from the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Waubonsee Community College will help you turn first-time customers into regulars.

The workshop runs Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in Room 342 at Waubonsee’s Downtown Aurora campus, 18 S. River St., Aurora. It’s a hybrid event, so you can come in person or join over Zoom. You’ll get the Zoom link once you register.

What you’ll work on

• Identify opportunities: spot the customer experiences that may be costing you business, and learn how to improve them.
• Handle challenges: pick up practical strategies for difficult situations, resolving complaints, and turning problems into positive outcomes.
• Build customer loyalty: create consistent experiences that bring in repeat business, strengthen your reputation, and support long-term growth.

You’ll leave with a customer experience self-assessment, practical service recovery strategies, and a personalized three-point action plan you can start using right away. Your presenter is Annah Mitchell, MBA, founder of Annah Mitchell Consulting, who brings 14 years of business ownership experience.

The workshop is free, but you need to sign up by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9. Register for The Customer Experience Advantage on the Illinois SBDC site. Have questions? Reach the Waubonsee SBDC at sbdc@waubonsee.edu or (630) 906-4209.

Adapted from the Illinois SBDC at Waubonsee Community College. Flyer provided by the Illinois SBDC at Waubonsee Community College.