Paul Kuczek
Growing up in Rolling Meadows, the Park District built an Ice rink. That became the place to be, so I played youth hockey and made some lifelong friends. I started working at High School District 211 in 1979 and rose through ranks in facilities to the Administrative level. Read more>>
M. Gordon Brown
I started developing a methodology using Network mathematics to analyze spatial patterns and how they affected pedestrian movement about 30 years ago while I was teaching at Arizona State University and the University of Colorado. They did a good job predicting where people were most likely to walk and not walk in shopping malls shopping streets hospital floors and work environments. Read more>>
Natalie Marotta
I have always considered myself an artist. From a very young age I have been drawing, painting, sewing and dreaming of every little detail. Photography has captured my soul. My husband once said “You are the most passionate, soulful, Type “A” I know.” I have found that to be one of the truest descriptions of myself. Read more>>
Jack O’Boyle
PLOT Technology Group began as InterACS, Inc. in 1996 as a regional Internet Service Provider while also providing IT services and Network wiring for businesses in the Phoenix and Chicago markets. Soon, a high percentage of our work involved support for local telephone companies that were trying to roll out VoIP solutions for their customers. Read more>>
Christine Feeley, Ben and Cydney Topaz
After finishing a 3-year military service in the Israeli military, I came to the states to visit my family. I went to play a soccer game at a local community center, and met a person who owned and operated a dental lab. He invited me to see his facility. I was impressed, and decided to learn the industry from the ground up over a seven-year period. Read more>>
Janelle DiMichele
Janelle DiMichele, LCSW & Associates, LLC was founded in 2006, after Janelle DiMichele, LCSW had been in private practice as solo practitioner for 4 years and realized she could expand her services by working with other qualified therapists. Forming this group of talented professionals has allowed us to offer a wide range of therapies to children, adolescents, adults, couples, families and groups. Read more>>
Ashley Wheater
When I was very young, I visited my sister’s ballet class in rural England. I was hooked and began taking classes. As a ten year old, I went to the Royal Ballet School in London. I worked with amazing teachers and dancers such as Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev. Read more>>
Rob O’Shea
My career in website design and development started inauspiciously. I’ve always been right-brain dominant, with a proclivity towards art, design, and creative thinking. While going to school, I started playing with Adobe Photoshop, mainly for fun in my spare time. Read more>>
Al Stone
I started carving decoys when I was eighteen. I always had an interest in flying and enjoyed bird watching. I had painted since I was about seven and after seeing some of the early master’s work I was hooked. I was educated by the late Richard Lemaster and taught how to sharpen tools by a German Master sculptor. Read more>>
Steve Becker
I could say and it would be true, egotistical as it may be, I want to leave a legacy of myself to the world. My perception or my reality captured, my vision, documented and addressed, and with it, leave something good behind, from which to learn. In what form I don’t know, how it would manifest itself is an on-going project. Read more>>
Roch Tranel and Cody Braun
Roch Tranel has always had a desire to help people. He started working with Money Concepts Capitol Corp., in October of 1988, which he independently labeled his practice The Tranel Financial Group, while also working full time for C.O.R.S. as a personnel manager. Read more>>
Donna Hansen
I began my journey as a crafter back in the 80’s. After several years of crafting I felt there was a need for affordable shows that were well promoted. With the blessings from my husband, I rented out the ballroom at the Chevy Chase County Club. While approaching many crafters about jumping on board I met Ralph. Read more>>
Tunisia Macklin
My story started when I was a young lady watching births on channel 11 with my Mom. My mother was a nurse and a Birth junky. When my Mother was pregnant it was a family experience. I so enjoyed every one of her pregnancies. My Mother would go in labor and no matter what I would spend time with her. Read more>>
Matthew Duhan
Gozer was our pet chinchilla who became the mascot and trademark of my board game company, Gozer Games. I have always enjoyed playing board games, card games, and puzzles. In college, I had a group of friends with whom I played games regularly. As we continued playing different games, we developed an interest in the structure of games and game theory. Read more>>
Jeremy Oliphant
My business partner Bryan Sterbenz created and opened a similar concept called Lucky Emmas before he partnered up with me. My other business partner William Volkmar and I went to visit Bryan one day at lucky Emmas and we both fell in love with the concept. Read more>>
Carrie and Tom Fischer
We began our business journey in 2006 with the desire to work for ourselves building things with our hands. At the time it was difficult to find contractors willing to design and build unique concrete counter-tops and furnishings, so it sparked the idea of filling the need in the Chicago area as makers of concrete counter tops and architectural furnishings. Read more>>
Joseph Raia
My father got me my start in the trade in 1987 he had a small mold shop in Schaumburg. I give him all the credit for giving me a strong foundation to get started. I went on to work in five other shops four of which are gone now. From there in 2004 when I made the decision to start my own business the manufacturing trade was in a slump. Read more>>
Richard Wolff
At the age of 13 (circa 1976) I created Wolff’s Gym in my parent’s basement. The gym was a natural extension of my interest in lifting weights. My first job in the fitness industry (circa 1983) was with the YMCA, while I was studying nutrition in college. I went on to earn a degree in Nutritional Science and completed an internship in Medical Nutrition Therapy at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL. Read more>>
Elizabeth Pytka
My company was established in 1998. We are a family owned business that takes pride in quality over quantity. I started my business by handing out door to door flyers. Eventually, I started putting free ads online and moved up to advertising my business on social media and companies such as yelp. Read more>>
Amber Heffner
In 1986, a group of approximately 30 educators met to discuss the possibility of forming a statewide organization for computer-using educators. Since its inception, ICE has steadily grown. The organization has continually expanded its membership and has shown leadership in encouraging the development, growth and use of technology in all facets of the educational process. Read more>>
Laritza Lopez
I grew up in Puerto Rico, my parents had a very difficult time making ends meet and my grandmother became sick. My parents decided to move to Chicago to give us an opportunity to learn English and have a better education and opportunities. We also had the chance to meet our grandmother who we have never met. Read more>>
Michelle Tibble
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My balloon career is much like a fat cat that showed up at the door, sat in my lap, and decided it wasn’t going away, and I am blessed and grateful to have this fat cat, but it still continues to surprise me, when my balloon business creeps in and takes me to a new fun chapter of my life. Read more>>
