Josh Woo
I started by working on various film sets while building connections in Chicago. After meeting some amazing people and crew, I began to create and film outside. Soon after, Neon 35 Media was born and we now work with different films and clients. Read more>>
Shakedia Jones
I’m a USA Olympian that sat down with my other successful friends and reflected on how we all got to where we were at that moment. Each of us grew up with low to no resources, but we all realized that someone stepped in and helped us and their selfless act lead us on a path that got us to where we were. Read more>>
Cornelia Haymes
Born in Romania during the communist era, I didn’t have the luxury to choose what my future will be. It was a small and secluded place the town I was born in with no opportunities for a child to ever have real dreams come true. I loved to dance but there was no place to pursue or encourage that dream, where I lived. Read more>>
Stefanie Ridolfo
My story began with always having one goal in mind- to help others and have a positive impact on their lives. I was in corporate sales for 10 years after graduating college and always felt like I needed more. I had a burning desire to make a difference in the world and felt that working in corporate America was not filling that void. Read more>>
Kathy McCabe
I now proudly call myself a Life Coach, but I am also a “recovering” lawyer, former people-pleaser, a “work-in-progress” mom — and an evolving human! I practiced law for 22 years. About 6 years ago, l left an externally successful legal career that I was no longer passionate about. Read more>>
David Fireside
I was in sales for the earlier part of my career. I had finished college and spent time serving in the Israeli Army followed by travelling. When I came back to the states, it was natural for my personality to go into sales, where I focused a great bit of time in financial services. Read more>>
Marla Wallerstein
I’ve been making art & objects since I can remember. After getting a BFA & MFA, teaching college & high School art and creating miles of “fine art”, I switched my focus to metalsmithing, started my brand MarLa studio, and haven’t looked back. The collections consist of pieces I want for myself – versatile, meaningful pieces that elevate any look with a subtle, sophisticated rock-n-roll vibe. Read more>>
Adela Mizrachi
As an avid podcast listener, I use every opportunity to listen to a variety of content – I listen while I drive, while I cook, while I clean, and while I veg out. Often, I hear things that are so compelling that I find any opportunity to weave it into the a conversation. Read more>>
Katelan Foisy
I grew up in a small town in MA surrounded by forests and farm animals. I learned to draw and paint from my grandmother on my father’s side and to decipher herbs for healing from my grandmother on my mother’s side. My childhood was one of magic and mystery and formed my first ideas about aesthetics. Read more>>
Lisa Wagner-Carollo
Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be an actor and singer. My parents both sang and did theater, and when I was five years old, my Dad gutted an old television set so that I could put on marionette shows for the family. Read more>>
Jessica Berson
I came to Chicago about 12 years ago and started working at The Second City, doing everything from receptionist duties to cooking to selling T-shirts. I bonded with another girl there who was also new to the city, and together we decided to explore our new home on our nights off. Read more>>
Nicole Dreiske
My story starts in 1975, founding Facets Multi-Media with $40 and a typewriter and two co-founders, Joseph Garcia and Milos Stehlik. At the time, there were no repertory cinemas or professional training programs for avant garde actors in Chicago and I wanted Facets wanted to fill those gaps, while offering gallery space and children’s programs. Read more>>
Erin Martin
ECBG Cake Studio started very modestly in the kitchen of my parents house in Naperville, Il in 2011. Making cakes and pastries for friends and family slowly started growing into something much more after years or learning and growing. Once I graduated from culinary school and moved to Chicago I began taking the steps to expand and legitimize my business. Read more>>
David Gista
I was born,raised and educated in Paris France. I studied Art there at the prestigious “Ecole des Beaux-Arts”. In the late 90’s I was offered an exhibition at a gallery in Chicago. The show was called “Serie Noire” and its themes were revolving around the universe of “noir” movies and mystery novels. Read more>>
Riv Lynch
When my family moved to the US from Israel in the late 70’s my parents enrolled me in a private Jewish day school in Chicago, Akiba Schechter. They wanted to be sure I maintained my Jewish education and Hebrew language as well as my ties to Israel. Read more>>
Isabel Lee
Nearly 9 years ago, I bit the bullet and started my dream t-shirt company. And I say it that way, because it’s really tough to start something you’re excited about and end up not going through with it. So I had to wait until I was ready to commit. Read more>>
Rebecca Resman
I’ve been riding my bike for transportation year round in the city of Chicago for well over a decade. When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, it wasn’t a matter of “if” I would bike with my child, but “how”. Read more>>
Jen Naye Herrmann
Since high school, I’ve seen myself as a marketer. I latched onto the idea of a career in telling stories about products that emotionally connect to a person, and then are visually bringing it to life with a marketing plan. Read more>>
Debi Zeinert
I am a Wedding Calligrapher. I’ve done calligraphy my whole life, starting it as a business when my 2nd child was born 33 years ago. In 2001 I quit my full time job to become a full time Wedding Calligrapher. I work with brides, wedding planners, designers and stationers. Read more>>
Chris Sarlas
My wife Carol & I launched Sarlas Music in 2004, a few months after we got married. We jokingly called it The Big Merger of 2004, but it was a dream come true for both of us, and we’ve never looked back. Prior to that, I had been leading Chicago wedding bands for other music companies for almost 10 years, and the time was right for me to take off on my own. Read more>>
Marvin Garcia
I always knew I wanted to work in an industry that would allow me the ability to move about, to socialize with people and make a difference in their lives. After a few years under the mentorship of someone I still call a great friend today, we decided I had learned all I was going to learn under him and with his support I set out on my own. Read more>>
Lindsey Hook
Arts and crafts were an integral part of my childhood. My dad was an architectural illustrator in Seattle who painted large scale watercolor renderings. My mom was a weaver and general craftsperson. My great-grandfather was an instructor of ornamental and business penmanship at Temple college in the beginning of the 20th century. Read more>>
Krista Marie Hertzel
My first job ever was a salon assistant, and I loved it. I loved the hustle of a busy salon, the work and dedication the stylists put into their craft and how evident it was that they loved what they were doing. There was something unique about the real and deep connections the stylists had with their guests. I loved that a trip to the salon could make someone’s day. Read more>>
Isa Arciniegas
I knew I always wanted to be a performer when I grew up. Watching Michael Jackson, Robin Williams, made me think ‘that’s what I want to do’. I believe my first play was in 2nd grade, and since then I was hooked. I did plays and musicals throughout all my years of schooling, and knew I wanted to take my passion to a more serious path, and pursue it in college. Read more>>
Jeanette Kemble
Owner and Master Stylist for Bristle + Grace. Jeanette is a graduate of Michigan State University and and after a short career in Advertising, she decided she wanted to do something more creative and meaningful. She attended Pivot Point International for her cosmetology schooling and realized she had a passion for mentoring. Read more>>
Josh Gauiran
How I got started? Well that’s a broad question to ask… So I’ll just keep it to how I got started with yoga in the first place since I often think of everything before yoga as a completely different life in of itself. Read more>>
Vincent Gendusa
Vince Gendusa began his vision of being an entrepreneur in 1999. In late October of 1999 Vince incorporated Skyline Contractors Inc, a Concrete/ Excavation/Snowplow company. He built up Skyline using a pick-up truck and wheel barrel doing residential patios by hand, working a second job nights and weekends. Read more>>
Susan M. Barber
My corporate career experience started out with entry level Sales and Supply Chain roles in Atlanta and ended up moving into Program and Information Technology leadership roles in Chicago. I am the exception in comparison to most people today having stayed at one company for over 26 years. Read more>>
Anthony Michael, Kurt Miller
For over 34 years, Chicago native Anthony Michael, has brought influential clients across the country a universal perspective and unsurpassed level of taste, attention, style and service with his interior design projects. Read more>>
Priscilla Lopez
I am an avid league tennis player. I also love fashion and style. When I started in 2004, there were no fashionable tennis lines. At that time, the market offered basic athletic wear. I wanted to wear short frilly skirts and tennis dresses on and off the court. Read more>>
Carol Jungman
My first experience going overseas was in college. I was working as a waitress at “It’s Greek to Me!” restaurant when my boss invited me to take his 8-year-old daughter, Georgia, to Greece to visit her aunts, uncles, cousins, and Yaya (grandmother). Read more>>
