Today we’d like to introduce you to Angelica Chayes.
Angelica, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started my first business because I fell madly in love with snowboarding (I was in Western MA, a border of Vermont). I knew nothing about business, I just wanted to be a snowboarder, and there wasn’t really a place for women in that world. So, I made one. Get Up was born, to equip and support women and girls interested in action sports. In 5 years, the business was successful way beyond my expectations!
Fascinated with business, I went back to school for my MBA. I had sold the business and began working full time for a cosmetics company. I was also a single mom of 2 school age kids. It was a lot, but so exciting. I wrote my thesis on engagement marketing in emerging media, and since this was “an online thing,” my workplace asked me to develop their e-commerce business. It was the early days of digital marketing, and with no budget (at first), a little ingenuity, a lot strategy, and a ton of faith from my company, I built a multi-million dollar business unit in 3 years. Within 8 years, I had become Global Brand Manager, directing online sales, marketing, and branding in over 40 countries. But after nearly a decade, I was ready for a change.
I was in the coffee shop one day and overheard someone talking about a project they were working on, creating an algorithmic technology to identify and connect bands with brands for marketing partnerships. Music (a great love of mine), technology and marketing? Let me at it! I went right up to the guy, and in a few months, was a VP in a tech startup. Unfortunately, like so many startups, this one didn’t work out, although it was an incredible learning experience. My kids had grown up and I was moving to Chicago (why? Because I love Chicago!). It was time for another change.
This was September 2016 and I was concerned about the state of the nation. I was thinking non-profit, but I spent the first 3 months here volunteering as an Illinois Victory Fellow on campaigns up and down the IL ticket. After the election, I worked a consulting gig with a non-profit in the democracy space. And when that was complete, it was time for – not a change – a BREAK. Time to really think about what I wanted to do next.
I was in the coffee shop one day (theme?) and I said to my friend, “what I really want to do is help people like I was when I started Get Up. People with a passion for something, but no clue about business.” Knowing I could leverage my diverse experience to improve their chances for success, GET UP consulting was born! Full circle.
The people I work with are so inspiring: courageous, dynamic, committed, good-hearted people: mom & pops, entrepreneurs, do-gooders, side-hustlers, boot-strappers, and passion projects. I help them get off the ground, grow or turn around if things aren’t going well. One of the reasons I fell in love with Chicago was because of all the unique small businesses here. Now I get to help them flourish!
Has it been a smooth road?
Never! But that makes it interesting and rewarding!
We have all struggled, corporate culture is a struggle, sexism is a struggle, but I try NOT to struggle. Struggle is defeating and breaks you down. Challenge helps you learn and become more.
My biggest challenge and greatest gift are always breaking new ground. No-one has cut a path, There usually aren’t “best practices” yet, so I’ve had to figure things out as I go along. I rely on unshakeable faith that it can be figured out, and strategic planning.
I have a 6-step strategy I use to tackle any big project, and it has never failed me. Yep, that’s a teaser 😉
So, as you know, we’re impressed with GET UP consulting – “strategy for the small & mighty” – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
At GET UP, consulting is concrete planning for small businesses (and organizations) who know what they want to do, but need help with the how.
I help them get their ventures off the ground, grow or turn around if things aren’t going the way they want.
To do this, I’ve developed a 3-phase process.
First: define what success with their venture means to them. It’s different for everyone, For me at Get Up Action Sports, it meant snowboarding and being with snowboarders all the time, “feeding the stoke” for girls like me, and being able to have my kids with me at work.
Then, brainstorm all the options.
Second: carefully research and develop a plan to achieve that success.
Third: as they implement the plan, analyze and tweak it.
I specialize in boot-strappers, passion projects, and side-hustlers who want to make their dreams full time. Most consultants charge a fortune and only work with businesses and organizations that have a significant investment or established revenue stream. I bring high-impact consulting to those who otherwise can’t afford it, and who might not be successful without it. I have no time for people who measure success in money and influence, for tech unicorns, or the fantasy IPO. I am for those who have a real heart for what they’re creating and are bringing something unique and positive to the world.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the unique character of the different neighborhoods. I love the variety of small businesses that far outnumber the big box stores. I love how friendly people are and how much they want to help. I love people’s sense of style. I love the contentious local politics and how many people are involved and passionate about them. I love the food, music, art, beaches, and that there’s always something to do. WAY too much to do. I love that people don’t sweep our challenges under the carpet. We talk about them, we fight about them, we come up with a million and one ways to solve them.
Probably most people say they don’t like the winter, but I am a New England girl, and I LOVE winter. It’s tough here for sure, but it’s like a hazing experience by mother nature that we all share. And summer is all the more glorious because of it, I don’t like that more people attended the women’s march than voted in the gubernatorial primary this year. VOTE, PEOPLE!
Contact Info:
- Website: getupconsulting.com
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
