Franklin Park and Northlake business briefs - Jan. 14

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Updated: February 20, 2012 8:29AM

Pamper yourself: WIM event Jan. 21

Women in Management Near West Cook Chapter is conducting a professional women’s Pamper Party themed “Finding Balance: Business – Mind, Body and Soul,” from 4-6 p.m. Jan. 21 at 4 U Hair and Spa, 7375-1/2 North Ave., River Forest.

Refreshments will be served and you can indulge in some “me time” and mingle with like-minded women; experience some stimulating conversation; invigorate your body; move to the music of your soul and elevate your business mind.

Registration is free for members and $20 for nonmembers (prepaid reservations required). Reservations are required prior to noon Jan. 20. Online payment options include credit card and PayPal. Payment will not be accepted at the event.

Women in Management is a support organization for professional women and women aspiring to a management position or entrepreneurship. The organization was founded to facilitate the exchange of experiences and ideas and to promote professional and personal growth.

Information on membership and upcoming events can be found by visiting www.Wimonline.org.

Snag a deal on the Blackmark-it

Blackmark-it is a daily deal site for black-owned businesses in the Chicago area.

With $3 billion in revenue, online couponing is all the rage. Blackmark-it’s niche, black-owned businesses, provides advertising to retailers and deals for consumers.

Cook County has more than 100,000 black-owned businesses, more than any other county in the nation. Ninety-four percent of the businesses have one employee, the owner. With a goal of helping businesses grow, Blackmark-it will feature a different establishment every day.

Owners Jamel and Natasha Williams, the husband and wife team who opened the Chicago South Side restaurant Covenant Café, recall their own penny-pinching advertising.

“We did door hangers, car flyers and were overly reliant on word of mouth,” said Jamel. “Blackmark-it would have been an excellent tool during our restaurant-owning days.

“Now that we are catering exclusively, we will utilize the service to feature some specials.”

With a 12-year background as a marketing research professional with The Nielsen Co., Natasha has developed marketing strategies and analyzed consumer behavior for Fortune 500 companies.

“I’ve seen the returns on ample advertising campaigns, but when you are a small minority-owned business, advertising feels like more risk than gain,” she said. “You put your money in, hoping you’ll reach the right audience.

“It’s a gamble a small business is hesitant to make.”

The Williams became partners with Northern Illinois University classmate Delandon Mason to discuss the viability of jumping on the daily-deal site bandwagon. The goal: Bring awareness to their favorite local businesses and offering shoppers a post-recession break.

“We have businesses ready to provide some phenomenal offers,” Mason said. “In turn ,they will have access to our subscriber list of thousands and keep an attractive share of all sales.

“At the risk of sounding cliché’, it’s a win-win.”

Blackmark-it has deal commitments from Chicago area restaurants, physical therapists, salons and day spas, and graphic designers. Need a referral for a plumber, painter, accountant or dentist? Visit the Blackmark-it website to read reviews.

Subscribers will receive notice of the forthcoming launch date. Go to www.blackmark-it.com to review sample deals and join the mailing list. Interested merchants may call Natasha Williams at (773) 697-1173.