Stacey Bond and Edward Lucious have spent the past 11 months conceptualizing, strategizing and crafting a business plan for their start-up promotional apparel company, Urban Chemistry.

This summer the 30-year-olds from the Near South Side will compete against dozens of Chicago's aspiring entrepreneurs for a cash prize, access to a consultant and an entrepreneur scholarship program as part of the Chicago City Treasurer Office's second-annual Small Business Plan Competition.

"The business plan is essential to starting your business--its kind of a necessary evil," Bond said. Among other things, the company would use specialized printing to supply what Lucious described as "edgy" promotional clothes and accessories to companies like hair salons and for such events as family reunions and corporate sports outings.

Find out more at www.chicagodefender.com.