Harper College is closed Friday, July 3, for Independence Day (Observed).
Website: Connect and Color®
LinkedIn: Dawn Pennacchia LinkedIn
Instagram: connectandcolor
Facebook: Connect and Color Facebook
Connect and Color® is an innovative experiential business based in Palatine, founded by entrepreneur, designer, and artist Dawn Pennacchia. Combining creativity, collaboration, and meaningful connection, Connect and Color® creates custom interactive coloring experiences designed to bring people together through art, conversation, and community engagement.
Dawn’s entrepreneurial spirit began early in life when she launched her first business alongside friends from her high school art club. With a degree in industrial design, she developed a strong foundation in design methodology and consumer-centered innovation, learning how to identify challenges and create thoughtful solutions through product development. Throughout her career, Dawn expanded her expertise across industrial design, graphic design, and children’s book illustration, all while nurturing a passion for helping others discover their creativity and potential.
Connect and Color® represents the culmination of Dawn’s professional and personal journey. Inspired by her experiences as a designer, artist, and mother, the business was created with the purpose of encouraging connection, creativity, and positive shared experiences in workplaces, schools, organizations, and communities.
In 2020, when Dawn first approached the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Harper College, she was seeking guidance on how to transform her innovative concept into a sustainable and scalable business. While she had extensive creative and design expertise, she wanted support understanding the many operational, strategic, and financial components involved in building a successful business.
After learning about the Illinois SBDC at Harper College through the Harper College catalog years earlier, Dawn turned to the center for advising and support. The Illinois SBDC at Harper College provides one-on-one business advising tailored to each client’s unique goals and challenges. Services include business planning, marketing strategy, financial guidance, grant assistance, website development support, sales coaching, pricing strategy, and operational planning.
Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, Dawn worked with several advisors at the Illinois SBDC at Harper College, each providing expertise in key areas of business development.
Business Advisor, Marge Johnsson, assisted Dawn with business planning and strategy development, helping her strengthen the overall structure and long-term vision for Connect and Color®.
Business Advisor, Dennis LaPorta, provided guidance in marketing strategy, sales approaches, and customer engagement, helping Dawn better position the business and communicate its value to potential clients and organizations.
Business Advisor, Cheri Kretsinger, supported Dawn with marketing messaging, copywriting, and branding strategy while also helping refine ways to connect authentically with audiences through storytelling and outreach.
Business Advisor, Jennie Johns, assisted with website design guidance and digital strategy, helping Dawn strengthen her online presence and create a professional platform that reflected the mission and creativity of Connect and Color®.
“The SBDC at Harper College is the catalyst to take your business idea or existing small business to the next level. You will not find a more dedicated, talented, or caring team. We are so fortunate to have them as a resource in our community!” - Dawn Pennacchia
With ongoing support from the Illinois SBDC at Harper College, Dawn achieved several important milestones, including:
Beyond the tangible business accomplishments, Dawn credits the Illinois SBDC at Harper College with providing invaluable encouragement and education throughout the entrepreneurial process.
“My business would not be here today, if it were not for them. They not only selflessly shared their time and expertise but also encouraged me countless times when I felt like I couldn't keep going. When I look back at my journey, I see the invaluable education that they gave me throughout the years.” - Dawn Pennacchia
Looking ahead, Connect and Color® plans to continue expanding their reach by promoting its services as a fundraising tool for organizations and developing a subscription service to bring even more creative connection opportunities to communities and businesses. Through innovation, creativity, and meaningful experiences, Dawn continues to inspire others while building a business centered around bringing people together.