Andrew J. Santucci, CMCA
I started Vanguard Capital when I was about 25 years old in my kitchen while also driving Uber to make ends meet. Since that time, I have been fortunate to experience tremendous growth and develop a successful company with a full-time staff and many clients. As a young entrepreneur, I have faced many challenges and overcome many obstacles. Read More>>
Kristin Urbanus
My mission is to help people connect to and live more according to their values, empower them with tools and practices to become more accepting of and able to shift difficult emotions, give them the support and accountability to help them reach goals they seek to achieve, and help them gain positive momentum to move their lives forward. I began practicing yoga when I was living in the South of Spain. I was starting a business there, and began doing yoga for the balance and awareness that it helped bring to my life. Read More>>
Jeremy Bouie
My wife and I was a newly engaged couple struggling financially in 2008. We we’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck and decided to do research on low start-up businesses. We came across cleaning business and child care business and we decided to pursue them both. Read More>>
Kathy Daniels and Nancy Jones
I applied for an assistant job in 1995 after having three children and wanting to go back to work full time. Within 18 mos. I started running the company for the owner, Nancy Jones who was just having her children. Back then, we distributed wedding dress preservation boxes to dry cleaners thru distributors. Read More>>
Ken Alvarado and Luis Sanabria
In 1980 I worked for a small paint and flooring store in Albany Park while also working part time for a flooring installer where I learned to install, sand and finish wood floors. In 1987 I began a career at what would become one the biggest flooring distributors in Chicago. During my twenty years there as vice president, I attended many classes and seminars furthering my knowledge of the industry. Read More>>
Ryan Strelcheck
Swanson Painting is officially SWANSON & STRELCHECK PAINTING ! Swanson & Strelcheck Painting provides high quality professional painting services for exterior and interior painting. Ryan Strelcheck is the new owner and Bob Swanson (former owner) is a consultant for the business. Bob and Ryan have worked together for many years with Swanson Painting. Read More>>
Rev Pam Magnuson
I have been marrying people and performing commitment ceremonies for over 30 years, but in 2011 I started performing wedding in my home (Pine Manor Chicago) and hosting the receptions. It’s perfect. I am located in a romantic 1920s manor, perfect for 30 guests. Read More>>
Jorge Zuniga and Darlene Becerra
My father was an optometrist in Mexico. He taught me to edge lenses by hand when I was a teenager. I worked for a few optical chains but my wife convinced me to start our own business in 1991. We started out in a small back room inside one of our optical accounts. Read More>>
Christa Clumpner
I worked for many years at a non profit called Emmaus Ministries. Emmaus is an outreach on the streets, working with men who have been caught up in survival prostitution. Through my work with Emmaus I met many individuals who had been incarcerated, and had other barriers to finding full time employment when they were ready to get back on their feet. Along with a team of these men, and the staff and leadership of Emmaus, the vision for Monarch was born. Read More>>
Tim Wojnar
My decision to become a licensed and certified Home Inspector began with my own home buying experience. I did not have a good inspection experience as there was a structural issue discovered that was not found in during the inspection within a year of moving in. I had to fight the inspector’s insurance for every dollar I could get and ended up settling for about 50% of the $25,000 repair cost. Read More>>
Paula Rodriguez
I graduated as an Interior designer on 2014 in Atl. I work in a kitchen and bath firm for 3.5 YR then move to Chicago and work in a firm that specializes in the furniture, furnishings, soft goods and accessories for 3.5 YR then I knew both sides of the world of interior design and I decided to open Paula Interiors which is located in 3007 W Armitage Ave (Logan square) I am art lover and believer so I utilize the walls of the studio to display art from artist who live in the Chicago area and only them. Read More>>
Kim Kaufman
I started taking care of neighbors pets when I was just a kid. I have worked plenty of office jobs but my Passion was drawn back to Cats. I heard once; find your passion and happiness will follow …. Referrals, Google and Yelp helped to show people that I truly love caring for these amazing creatures. Read More>>
Rada Burdeen
Matt’s parents started in the jewelry business in the late 70’s with a few hundred dollars when his dad’s career wasn’t going anywhere. They started stringing beads and following the art fair circuit. They eventually opened a store in their living room and finally moved to a small location in Buffalo Grove and the official Burdeen’s Jewelry was born! Read More>>
Larry Klairmont and Robert Olson
Larry Klairmont is a WWII veteran and Marine. His early life began growing up in Maywood Illinois raised with the help of his grandmother. Larry boasts that his grandmother was a creative cook. Because of the Great Depression, they were sometimes forced to eat potatoes weeks on end. Read More>>
Matt Gieser
I had been playing in bands all of my life. We always struggled finding a recording studio that could accurately transfer the sound we had as a live band to a record. We would record at high end studios and dumps and still were never satisfied. My band had heard about this little living room recording studio run by a guy who had graduated Maine South high school a few years before us in the city. Read More>>
Sofia Córdoba
I began my career when I was 16 years old as a model in different campaigns, fashion events, and TV shows. After successfully working for several years in the industry of fashion, photo shoots and TV, I realized I had to focus on something creative and related to the fashion business. That is why I decided to pursue a degree in Marketing and Advertisement, which provided me with the necessary foundation to understand the commercial structure of the fashion industry. Read More>>
Marianna Kosaya
Campanella Children’s Choir was founded in the spring of 2000 and currently acts as the core of Campanella Educational Center. The choir consists of five levels: Beginners, Prelude Choir I & II, Treble Choir and Concert Choir. The first three choral groups are largely made up of Russian-speaking children who primarily perform Russian-language songs. The Concert Choir, on the other hand, consists of children from a variety of cultures and sings a diverse repertoire that focuses on classical music. Read More>>
Paul Willey
Established in 2012. Merchants Capital Group has helped business owners get the capital their business needs to operate for over 10yrs. We also provide credit card processing at the lowest rates ever. Read More>>
Adam Silverstein
Bruce and David Garfield have been close with my family since I was in Diapers. After graduating high school I needed a summer job and Dave let me come on board. I started with the company stocking shelves and worked during my summers and breaks in college. Read More>>
Julie Starck
At some point in time, everyone has an interesting story to tell about their journey of self-discovery and mine began as a small child. I have always been what one might call a “girly girl”, but there’s a rustic side of me too. I have a love for whimsical furniture, antiques, color, design, fashion and one of my favorite past times is home and event design. Read More>>
Sirmetrius Howard
I commenced in the industry about 5 years ago. I was struggling and looking for part time job on top of my full time job. I saw an add for photo booth attendant and I immediately thought it was odd because why would someone need to guide a big mall-like photo booth that is self explanatory? Read More>>
Melly Schwartz and Mitchell Schwartz
Long time suburban Chicago residents, Melly and Mitch Schwartz, opened the doors to Turn The Tables in July of 2011. Melly studied art education at Illinois State University and has been utilizing her love of art for thirty years. Under the company name “Turn The Tables” she established herself by painting and re-purposing furniture, both in a retail and studio environment. Read More>>
Lisa Edison
I started The Dog Spot in 2005 because I was a consumer with a need. I had a very busy little Jack Russell Terrier who needed a lot of care and attention. While I worked long days, Emma was home alone and it broke my heart. Read More>>
Steve Ek
Ek Automotive first opened its doors on October 1, 1991. Over the years, what started as an auto repair shop has transformed from your typical repairs into a unique blend of art, rock and roll, and quality repairs. Dedicated to the community that helped build this dream, Ek Automotive has no intention of moving. Read More>>
Justine Bursoni
In high school, I took classes at Gallery 37 in downtown Chicago. I owe everything to their phenomenal program. Never. Nor will it be. Being an independent business owner is probably one of the toughest roads to take. But, it is also the most rewarding. Read More>>
