It's an exciting time to be opening two Hilton branded hotels simultaneously with Canopy Chicago Central Loop and Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Central Loop. Neil DeGuia, Complex General Manager with Aimbridge Hospitality, discusses the challenges and opportunities for businesses getting started today. Please enjoy this episode of Chicago Business Podc…

Ramping up TrueRoll during the pandemic has been an exciting challenge for Co-founder and CEO Tyler Masterson. Having raised VC funds via Zoom, his business is rapidly expanding during these volatile times as they help improve equity in the property tax rolls. Hear his story on today's Chicago Business Podcast! Please enjoy, subscribe on your favor…

Launching a new beverage company is a difficult venture, but that has not stopped Doug DuMars from working to disrupt the industry with Rebellious Beverage Company and their organic liquid refreshers that contain more than 300mg of antioxidants, zero carbs, zero calories, and zero sugar. Hear how Doug has leveraged his experience with PepsiCo and K…

Starting a hedge fund during a pandemic has not been easy, but Magma Capital Funds' Founder and CEO Gershie Vann has persevered and is putting the pieces together to build something special. Hear his story on today's Episode #32! Please enjoy, subscribe on your favorite podcast services and YouTube, like on Facebook, and follow on LinkedIn!! #built…

Moonlighting following days of Lasik surgery, Dr. Gerald Horn developed and launched a new product in an extremely competitive market, the caffeinated beverage space. Learn how Breinfuel is that and so much more in today's episode of Chicago Business Podcast. Please enjoy, subscribe on your favorite podcast services and YouTube, like on Facebook, a…

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness month, today we welcome the person responsible for the creation and development of The Juniper Center, one of the largest woman-owned counseling and therapy practices across Chicagoland, with over 40 clinicians at 5 locations, plus statewide with teletherapy. Hear how Dr. Jacquot has followed her passion to…

The CEO and Co-founder of DecisionOne Dental Partners, Dr. AJ Acierno, joins us to discuss consolidation in the industry and the growing role of dental support organizations. Listen to hear how the business in innovating to thrive in an ever more competitive world. Please enjoy, subscribe on your favorite podcast services and YouTube, like on Faceb…

Specializing in digital media, analytics, and customer experience, Larry Fisher leads Rise Interactive, an award winning performance marketing agency. Hear about his journey and where the business is focused, looking ahead. Please enjoy, subscribe on your favorite podcast services and YouTube, like on Facebook, and follow on LinkedIn! #builtinchica…

Do you like to try craft spirits from independent distilleries? If so, you should check out this episode with the creator of Spirit Hub, an online retailer for limited production producers. Currently shipping to Illinois, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Dakota, they are working on building out their network to serve customers across the country.…

Serving underrepresented communities has been @lbrianjenkins focus for many years, now culminating with his recent opening of the Mox.E shared workspace in the South Loop, in addition to his work on other Entrenuity endeavors. Be inspired by his passion for serving others. Please enjoy, subscribe on your favorite podcast services and YouTube, like …

The hotel industry has been brutal for the last year, so Vamsi Bonthala of Arbor Lodging has been making moves to keep the ship sailing. Hear how he built his business to withstand the storm and capitalize on the long term opportunities. Please enjoy, subscribe on your favorite podcast services and YouTube, like on Facebook, and follow on LinkedIn!…

Anglers will not want to miss this introduction to Ross Gordon and Catch Co. who have built a powerhouse lifestyle business with brands including Mystery Tackle Box, Karl's Bait and Tackle, BioSpawn Lures, and the Unchartered original content series available on Amazon Prime and YouTube. The fishing industry is thriving - hear how these guys are in…

Leader of award-winning lifestyle communications firm Heron Agency, Noreen Heron joins us to talk about the state of public relations today. Hear how she is serving clients and pivoting during the pandemic to respond to opportunities in the market. Please enjoy, subscribe on your favorite podcast services and YouTube, like on Facebook, and follow o…

From dirt to dishes in four weeks? That's an aggressive goal for a construction project, and CDO Group Inc. is focused on making it a reality. Founder Anthony Amunategui joins us to share his perspective on the state of the construction business and changes he sees coming as a result of the pandemic and other innovations. Please enjoy, subscribe on…

Interested in learning more about the power of breathwork? Adapting to the ongoing pandemic, organizers of The Breathing Festival are hosting their conference virtually this year, starting Feb 11. Meet founder Nicole Price and hear her story on how she has transformed her event planning business during these challenging times. Please enjoy, subscri…

Ever had an important message lost in translation? Meet Elizabeth Colón, the President & CEO of Metaphrasis Language and Cultural Solutions. She has built a sizable business supporting vulnerable communities by providing dependable and trustworthy language translation services. Elizabeth also serves as the first latina President of the National Ass…

Interested in supporting an impactful charity this holiday season? A Safe Haven Foundation is an award winning non-profit focused on helping our homeless population in Chicago. Neli is the President and Co-Founder of the organization which is doing such important work during this time. Please check out the podcast and hear Neli's story today! Guest…

Following a long family tradition, Amy Morton has spent a career in the restaurant business starting with her father's Morton Steakhouse. Now she owns and operates multiple establishments including Found and The Barn Steakhouse in Evanston and Stolp Island Social in Aurora. It's been a tough business of late, but have a listen and hear Amy's positi…

Looking to kit out your office space with new digs? Melissa Kehl of Rieke Office Interiors wants to earn your business. Hear how she worked her way up through the business and into the corner office. Please enjoy, subscribe on your favorite podcast services and YouTube, like on Facebook, and follow on LinkedIn! Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.…

Want to learn more about how drone delivery systems work? Meet Ryan Walsh, ex Army Ranger turned entrepreneur building Valqari, an award winning tech start-up based here in Chicago. Please enjoy, subscribe on your favorite podcast services and YouTube, like on Facebook, and follow on LinkedIn! Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-walsh-…

Serving the SMB banking market in Chicagoland is no small task, and Michael Himmes of Community Bank of Elmhurst talks with us about how they have met the challenges of COVID-19 to help new and existing customers. Please enjoy, subscribe on your favorite podcast services and YouTube, like on Facebook, and follow on LinkedIn! Guest LinkedIn: https:/…

Taking on Draft Kings and Fan Duel, Vigtory is hitting the ground running in a race to serve the serious sports bettors among us. Hear from Sam Rattner on the business he built and is growing in Chicago. Please enjoy, subscribe on your favorite podcast services and YouTube, like on Facebook, and follow on LinkedIn! Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linke…

Recently ranked #69 on Inc.'s list of 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America, Mugsy Jeans has delivered explosive growth and is just getting started. Please enjoy Episode 013 with Mugsy Founder Leo Tropeano, subscribe on YouTube, like on Facebook, and follow on LinkedIn! Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-tropeano-30113732/ …

Our guest today is Denise Casalino, Executive Vice President and National Cities Leader for AECOM, a premier, fully integrated infrastructure and support services firm. Please enjoy this Episode 012, subscribe on YouTube, like on Facebook, and follow on LinkedIn! Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-casalino-p-e-486214a/ Guest Website…

Former CFO of the Year (2018 Large Private Company, FEI Chicago) Jim Japczyk from Optimas Solutions joins us today for Episode 011! Please enjoy and subscribe on YouTube, like on Facebook, and follow on LinkedIn! Guest Name: Jim Japczyk, Chief Financial Officer of Optimas Solutions Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimjapczyk/ Guest Twitt…

Our guest today is Laura Orrico, President of LOPR., a public relations firm she founded following a successful modeling and acting career. Please enjoy this Episode 010! And please subscribe on YouTube, like on Facebook, and follow on LinkedIn! Guest Name: Laura Orrico, President of Laura Orrico Public Relations, LLC Guest Website: https://www.lau…

Today we welcome Mark Curran, former Lake County Sheriff of 12 years and candidate in the upcoming United States Senate election representing the Republican ticket. Mark talks about a wide range of topics including the code of silence among police officers, term limits, the environment, the carried interest loophole, estate taxes, and appropriate u…

Here is Gus Noble, President of the oldest non-profit in Illinois dating back some 175 years, discussing the mission of Chicago Scots and Caledonia Senior Living and how they have innovated to provide exceptional care to their vulnerable patient population during the pandemic. Guest Name: Gus Noble, President, Chicago Scots & Caledonia Senior Livin…

Listen to Ernst & Young's Americas Growth Markets Leader talk about Chicago's role in the innovation race and how he sees the area stacking up to coastal money centers, in addition to many other fun and interesting discussion topics. Please enjoy Episode 007, subscribe on YouTube, like on Facebook, and follow on LinkedIn! Guest Name: Lee Henderson,…

Hear from a nationally recognized thought leader on why data leadership is necessary in today's world and steps organizations must take to transform their business into the digital age. Please enjoy Episode 006, subscribe on YouTube, like on Facebook, and follow on LinkedIn! Guest Name: Anthony J. Algmin, Founder and CEO, Algmin Data Leadership Gue…

Learn how this innovative business transformed its custom production capabilities to supply face shields to first responders. We also discussed Bridgewater's rapid growth, including doubling in size each of the last four years and their journey to secure a $1.8 million Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) grant to invest in their Back of the Yards m…

Our guest today is John Araujo, Executive Vice President with Gallagher which recently bought the business he built at Affiliated Benefit Consultants. John was a great guest and we had an entertaining and wide-ranging discussion, which unfortunately was cut off quite early due to technical difficulties. Lesson learned there for sure, but I will sha…

Today we welcome Tony Yager, a partner with the law firm Chapman and Cutler LLP where he is the Practice Group Leader of the Corporate Finance team. Tony helps large clients secure alternate financing arrangements via private placements with reasonable terms and covenants. The transactions are consummated using a standard baseline template that is …

Welcome to the second episode of Chicago Business Podcast, and THANK YOU for checking us out! This podcast is designed to include discussion whereby leading business executives share perspectives on who they are, what issues they are focused on, and how innovation is affecting their organizations. Today we welcome Dean Jeffrey Brown from the Gies C…

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Chicago Business Podcast, and THANK YOU for checking us out! This podcast is designed to include discussion whereby leading business executives share perspectives on who they are, what problems they are trying to solve, and how innovation is affecting their organizations. Today we welcome Tom Denison, a local…