Jessica Garrett
My parents have been working in the west loop since the early 90’s at 213 N. Morgan st., My mom, Cher Garrett, ran a successful Design & Branding firm at that time had a staff of 30. My Dad, Steve Garrett, had a photo studio in the same building. They also ran an art Gallery in the same building too! For as long as I could remember my parents have always been hard working creatives in this area. Read More>>
Katie Liberatore
I became aware of eyebrow microblading when a make up artist mentioned it would be great for me because I always fill in my brows. From then on I became fascinated with it as a service. I’m all about efficiency and being able to look done up with little to no maintenance. In today’s world woman have better things to do with their time than reapply the same make up day after day. Read More>>
Alyssa Doorhy
I owned a women’s clothing boutique in Lincoln Park-Chicago for four years and really enjoyed styling clients who came into the boutique. I love the fashion industry but decided retail wasn’t for me. It was tough! Personal wardrobe styling was the best next step for me in my career, and I was lucky enough to have some great customers from the boutique who were interested in styling services. Read More>>
Ty Barth
Tyton Games was founded by two friends, Antonio Scarlato and Ty Barth back in the summer of 2010. It all started on a kitchen table with a box of old video games from an estate sale. From there it was a lot of hard work and non stop searching for the next lot of games. After a few years we realized we had too much stuff and we needed more space. Read More>>
Ann Adams
January 2018 marks my 25th year anniversary as a licensed cosmetologist. Less than a year after graduation, I opened my first salon and became a small business owner. It was a simple financial solution which gave me the ability to control my own schedule and earnings while passionately following my love of continuously creating works of art. My life found it’s direction. Read More>>
Skaiste Vingilys
I started my photography hobby after my first child was born and taking lots of pictures of him then I decided to go to school to learn more about camera, lighting and editing programs. My passion developed into the business and today I do what I love. Maternity and newborns are my biggest passion so I concentrate in to that more than other genres of photography. Read More>>
Ghazala Syed
Established in 2002. Ghazala launched Delicacy Salon & Spa on June 1, 2002. This is her only location because she believes in giving her clients the up most quality work and attention. She has been in the beauty business for past 30+ years. Read More>>
Deb Wesley
My first career was in nursing where I worked in places like the ICU, Emergency department, and Pre-Operative venues. I, like many, became interested in photography as a hobby pretty early on. I bought my first “real” film SLR camera in the 90’s and used it in “auto” mode. I loved making scrapbooks with photos and came to realize that I wanted to create more professional-quality images. Read More>>
Matt Mixter
I started working when I was 12. I lived in Georgia so rules were loose and I was cheap 😉 Since then I have worked every job you can possibly imagine that would get me ready for launching a unique retail market with an ambitious mission. From Baskin Robbins to Bed bath and beyond to roofing and painting. Read More>>
Richard Montalbano
FEW WEARY TRAVELERS passing through the trading outposts of Chicago in the early 1800’s could have imagined that these barren grounds would give way to the massive growth of several industries, including that of the manufacture of furniture. Chicago’s advantageous location at the base of the Great Lakes was a central stop for the railroads and attracted thousands of immigrants. By the early 1900’s, Chicago reigned as the largest center for furniture manufacturing in the country. Read More>>
Chad Esslinger
I began my formal design education as an architecture student and soon realized that I wanted to focus on home decor products and interior design. I graduated with a degree in Industrial Design from the University of Illinois and spent almost 20 years designing and developing products for the world’s leading wholesalers, retailers, and manufacturers. In 2011 I started CHAD ESSLINGER DESIGN, a full-service design firm focusing on residential interior design, decorating and remodeling; as well as design and development of home decor products. Read More>>
Jennifer Mahoney
My passion for fashion has given me the opportunity to experience nearly every aspect of the men’s fashion industry, over the past 20 years. I’ve tried my hand at buying and selling clothing to retailers and at designing garments for brands, but it wasn’t until I began working with the men who wear the clothes that I felt like I had found my niche. I started A Sharp Dressed Man in 2012 after a lifetime of sympathetically looking at men knowing what their better-dressed selves could be. Read More>>
Melody Kratz
I have always been an artist. Mostly creating what I couldn’t afford. Paintings, furniture etc. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had clear images of art I wanted and furniture design I loved. When I lived in Memphis, I worked for a high end painted furniture designer after I graduated college. Read More>>
Kyle Trevoy
My introduction to the floral industry was at a very young age, having been practically raised in a flower shop. My mother and grandmother opened their first flower shop, Shamrock Garden Florist, located in Lombard, IL in 1987. As I began to get involved in the business, being the oldest of four boys, the family joke was that my Mother and Grandmother should have opened a construction company rather than a flower shop… Read More>>
Emily Manzhul, Dennis Manzhul
Emily was on a date with a man named Alex. He asked her, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” In good humor she said she wanted to design and fabricate drapes. She was only 17. Years later she had moved to America from Ukraine (yes the one with all the Russia strife), with two kids, lived as a foreigner, worked odd jobs, oh and had married Alex. Read More>>
Dane Crozier
I’ve been playing drums and percussion since I joined my school band class when I was eleven years old and if you must know, that means I’ve been playing for 21 years! I have been truly fortunate to learn from some of the best teachers in the country and collaborate with fantastic musicians from around the world. I was extremely lucky to start taking private lessons when I was twelve with one of the most passionate, energetic, encouraging music teachers ever to walk the earth, Vicki Jenks. Read More>>
Pablo Tafolla
My father used to work for his uncle and decided to create his own company. He came from Mexico when he was 15 years old. The company has been helping to improve home owners houses for over 30 years. The same passion that my father had for entrepreneurship motivated me to attend college to gain additional skills to further expand the business. Read More>>
Hannah Bonecutter
Like many great paths in life, one does not choose it. Instead, it chooses the individual. True to suit, professional organizing chose me. But it was founded upon something immensely strong. Something pure. Invaluable even. It began with my father. Read More>>
Neale Baldyga
6 years ago I got a Reiki Attunement and it changed my life. I had been seeking a spiritual connection while trying things like meditation, yoga, and other practices for a couple years before that. It was not until I saw the inherent power in each of us, that I knew I wanted to work to inspire others to bring this out in themselves. I realized that everything we need to heal this world is within ourselves and throughout nature. Read More>>
Kristina Giedra
My name is Kristina Giedra. In Lithuania, I acquired my culture and education. After graduating from Panevezys Conservatory as the conductor of chorus/music teacher, I started a special training program that included pattern making, design, and sewing. In addition, I advanced by working with experienced seamstresses to gain their valuable experience. Read More>>
Kevin McCullough
So I’m that guy you meet a party and when you ask what I do for a living, you quickly look for a way out. I work for a nonprofit and I do a lot of fund raising. And yep, eventually I would probably ask you for money. Read More>>
London Walder
Growing up in a small town, exploring and creating, I quickly realized I was able to find beauty in all things. As a child I knew I would eventually work in a field surrounded by art and beauty. While constantly expressing myself creatively through clothing design, experimenting with different mediums of art and countless others creative outlets, I deciding to pursue a degree in Interior Design. Read More>>
Doug Cannon
Austin Music Center is and always has been a small, family owned and operated small business for the past 70 years. I apprenticed for the previous owner and when he retired, I bought the business from him. (1998) Previously I was a working musician. Primarily working with The Vanessa Davis Band. I play tenor saxophone. Read More>>
