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FAQ
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The Team

Our Team…Well, Most of Them!

E.G. Woode, L3C is an organization dedicated to positive change in under-served neighborhoods. We do this by helping entrepreneurs and small business owners from these neighborhoods develop and start their businesses. We acquire and redevelop real estate for those businesses to lease, while also providing them with overhead support such as marketing, branding, design, operations and strategy.

As a collective, the entrepreneurs are also part owners, forming a stronger, community focused business base that not only serves the community, but hires from and reinvests in the community. With home grown businesses, fewer economic resources leave the community, allowing the community to thrive.

Welcome to E.G. Woode.

Your Contribution

Your contribution will be used to help our entrepreneurs get the equipment needed to open their doors. While our partners have provided us with enough funding to finish construction, our entrepreneurs will still need things like computers, commercial equipment including, but not limited to stoves, refrigerators, ovens, shelves, utensils, tables, chairs, desks, etc. With your support, we can enable our entrepreneurs to afford the necessary equipment to realize a great start to their businesses in their new spaces.

Project Alpha

Our initial project, Building A, consists of one commercial property – a two level facility located at 1122 West 63rd Street that we acquired for $50,000. Currently the building consists of retail on the ground level and two residential units on the upper level. We have redesigned the building into an architectural office, a cooperative barbershop and a retail clothing consignment store. Demolition is currently underway.

Our second project, Building B, is a two level building located on West 63rd Street. The acquisition price of the building is approximately $25,000. The seller, Cook County Land Bank Authority, is a community partner and has also given us the option to acquire two additional sites along 63rd St. Currently the building consists of three retail spaces warehouse on the ground level and two residences on the second level. We will redesign the building into a commercial training kitchen and two restaurants. Both the current and potential future sites are located along the 63rd Street revitalization corridor. This area has been a primary target for economic development for local organizations, municipalities and developers. More recent developments include Englewood Square, which is home to a Whole Foods, Starbucks, Chipotle and several other premium retail and commercial stores.

Our Journey

Editorials

South Side Weekly: Best of Englewood 2017 – Best Business Colelctive

LISC: New Co-op Business Development Coming To Englewood Gives Local Entrepreneurs the Power — And Capital — Needed To Thrive

BlockClub Chicago: Can E.G. Woode Transform Englewood?

Patch: Entrepreneurs Transform Vacant Englewood Space

Next City: How Community Ownership Can Stabilize America’s Neighborhoods

Campaign Rewards

Our Entrepreneurs | Their Rewards to You

Sunni Powell | Powell’s

Nanette Tucker | Marie|Wesley

Antoine Butler | Ellie’s Urban Grill

David B. Osborne Jr. | Englewood Kitchen

LaJunise McNeal | Pass The Peas

Bryan Hudson | Beehyyve

Exclusive Merchandise

Project FAQ

Q. What does E.G. Woode do?

A. E.G. Woode does two main things:
1. Support and develop entrepreneurs.
2. Locate, acquire, and redevelop real estate for those entrepreneurs. Simply put, we find entrepreneurs to develop and find them spaces to run their businesses.

Q. Why was E.G. Woode created?

A. E.G. Woode was created to help redevelop commercial corridors in underserved neighborhoods, sparking positive social and economic change. The more businesses in the neighborhoods that are owned and operated by members of the neighborhoods, the more money will stay in those neighborhoods, allowing everyone to prosper. E.G. Woode exists to help those small businesses and provide the services and resources that normally aren’t available in these neighborhoods.

Q. What kind of company is E.G. Woode?

A. E.G. Woode is a Low Profit Limited Liability Company (L3C). This means that like a non-for-profit company, we have a social mission that drives our business, but like a traditional company, we can make a profit and be invested in by a diverse set of entities.

Q. Who owns E.G. Woode?

A. E.G. Woode is collectively owned by our entrepreneurs, managers, and a select few outside investors. The entrepreneurs own their own businesses and have majority control over the operations of the entire organization. The managers and investors also own shares in the company and are eligible to receive profit distributions down the road for their contributions.

Q. Who runs E.G. Woode?

A. E.G. Woode, the company is run by a small group of managers with extensive and diverse backgrounds in entrepreneurship, design, marketing, finance, and management. They handle the real estate and construction part of the company as well as the training and business support for the entrepreneurs, leaving the entrepreneurs free to focus on their businesses.

Q. What does my contribution get me? Will I be an owner?

A. Your contribution through this campaign will not get you an ownership share in E.G. Woode. Based on your level of contribution, you will receive an excellent reward which will allow us to show our appreciation for your contribution and let you show everyone your support for our organization.

Q. What will my contribution be used for?

A. Your contribution will be used to help our entrepreneurs get the equipment needed to open their doors. While our partners have provided us with enough funding to finish construction, our entrepreneurs will still need things like computers, commercial kitchen appliances, tables, chairs, etc.

Q. How can I help beyond my contribution?

A. You can support us by sharing this campaign with friends and family, following us on social media, joining us as a manager, or investing in our future projects. Please visit our Contact US page on our website: www.egwoode.com.

Q. How can I find out more?

A. Please visit our website: www.egwoode.com. There you will find more information and our Contact page should you have any further questions.

E.G. Woode: A Crowdfunding Campaign