The Elgin Community College Illinois Small Business Development Center has selected Marcelo Alvarez to counsel individuals seeking to become entrepreneurs.

Alvarez, who is Spanish-speaking, also will advise Latinos who own businesses in the Elgin area on how to take their businesses to the next level.

"Marcelo is a valuable asset to the ILSBDC and the clients we assist in establishing and growing their own businesses," ILSBDC director Kriss Knowles said. "With the high unemployment rate in the Elgin area and a large Hispanic population, there is a need for our services."

Alvarez has more than 20 years of experience in marketing, management and business development. He owns his own business as a franchisee of The Entrepreneur's Source.

He is available by appointment on Mondays from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Downtown Neighborhood Association, 2 Douglas Ave., Elgin. For more information, call 847-214-7488.

Huntley photographer Karen Fleck, owner of Karen Fleck Photography Inc., has moved her studio to the Freund Office Plaza anchored by her husband Michael J. Fleck's law office.

For five years, her studio was in Huntley Square. Her new office is at 11608 Dean St., Suite 201.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 847-515-3335.

Children of America Educational Childcare has opened its first school in the state at 750 S. McLean Blvd. in South Elgin.

The new school invites parents to tour its facility to experience the specially designed classrooms and learn about the company's age-appropriate curriculums. The school offers educational programming for children 6 weeks to 12 years of age.

Sharron Mortensen is the school's director.

Parents can visit the school Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Its phone number is 847-695-2389.

Florida-based Children of America is a provider of child care and after-school programs with 32 centers in Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. For more information, visit www.ChildrenofAmerica.com.

The Northern Fox Valley Chapter of Women in Management presents a practical approach for "work-family balance" with life coach and training consultant Sandra Switzer of Elgin at its meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Elgin Country Club, 2575 Weld Road, Elgin

Networking is at 11:30 a.m., with luncheon and program at noon. Cost for members is $25 and for nonmembers, $30. Reservations must be made for attendance online at www.wimonline.org.

Atlas Van Lines recognized agents demonstrating exceptional hauling excellence and achievement at Atlas' annual convention last month.

Local agents who received the Hauling Excellence Award are Ace Relocation Systems Inc. and Ace World Wide Moving & Storage Co., both of Elgin.

To earn the award, agents must pass a critical review of safety and claims records, get high ratings for van operator performance, achieve a 90 percent approval rating on post-move surveys, and meet specific revenue criteria.

Send business news by e-mail to npetersen@scn1.com by fax to 630-978-8509; or call 630-978-8629.