Wednesday, June 02, 2004 • Volume 3, Issue 1 > Third Anniversary Edition
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Wednesday, June 02, 2004 • Volume 3, Issue 1 > Third Anniversary Edition |
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PRESIDENT'S CORNER Celebrating Entrepreneurial Leaders by David Weinstein President, Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center This month, the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center is celebrating the third anniversary of our online newsletter, The Beacon. To commemorate this milestone, we have devoted an entire issue to recognize 12 emerging companies that we have worked with at the CEC and collectively believe are on the move and making a difference in the local marketplace. Our inspiration for selecting these firms came from looking at leading entrepreneurs in Chicago who have built world-class businesses that employ thousands of people. Their firms all started with a vision, tremendous passion and a desire to provide superior products and services to the marketplace. We had the opportunity to meet three of these leaders who have been recognized as some of the most successful modern day entrepreneurs in Chicago at a breakfast hosted by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. They included: Gordon Segal, Founder & CEO of Crate & Barrel, Arny Granat, Co-Founder & President of Jam Productions and Larry Levy, Founder & Chairman of Levy Restaurants. [FULL STORY]
12 Companies to Watch To celebrate entrepreneurship, the CEC staff selected 12 of our clients that exemplify similar characteristics to the area's top entrepreneurial leaders. This was a difficult task as most of the entrepreneurs we work with could have made this list -- surely for their passion alone. Our goal is to give you a sense of the entrepreneurial leaders emerging in the Chicagoland area that are making a real impact and experiencing steady growth. By no means is this list exhaustive of the top companies we are assisting. Each month, we will continue to highlight outstanding entrepreneurial endeavors in our "Entrepreneur of the Month" feature in The Beacon to keep you posted on exciting developments in the entrepreneurial community. What sets this list apart, and is what we call "uniquely Chicago", is the tremendous diversity of businesses models. Our list of firms to watch includes: a high-end beverage retailer, a company that provides first-time homes in underserved communities, an integrated marketing company, a software training company, a day care center, a direct selling food service company, a software company that manages the procurement of services, a high-end handbag and accessory company, a cosmetics company, a company that builds software to interface with machines, a software company that prevents machine failure and a company that provides media for children. [FULL STORY] Argo Tea Entrepreneur: Arsen Avakian, General Manager Address: 958 W. Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614 Phone: 312-873-4123 Website: http://www.argotea.com/ Email: arsen@argotea.com Argo is one of those ideas that is simplistic, yet so genius, you'd just kick yourself that it wasn't yours. Take a healthy product, a contemporary space and stick it on one of the busiest corners in Lincoln Park and you have Argo Tea. Their flagship store is always bustling with activity. The three founders, who turned from corporate executives in the dot-com world to tea connoisseurs, haven't looked back. [FULL STORY] Bivens & Navarro, LLC Entrepreneurs: Kenneth Bivens & Marcello Navarro, Principals Address: 20180 Governor's Highway, Suite 310, Olympia Fields, IL 60461 Phone: 312-622-7315 Website: Under Construction Email: marcello_Navarro@yahoo.com It's easy to brag about these two gentlemen, Kenneth Bivens and Marcello Navarro, because their socioeconomic work speaks volumes for itself. Their model is simple: provide ongoing financial consulting and support to individuals in underserved (LMI) areas and help those same individuals buy a home when their financial standing indicates they are ready. B&N has made their presence in the market at a time when predatory lending is at an all-time high and community residents are being disenfranchised by banks. In short, they are creating an effective model to empower individuals and create first-time home buyers. Is this model resonating in the neighborhoods? To the tune of 300% growth last year. And we're not the only ones singing their praises: you can read more about Kenny and Marcello in the May 10 edition of Crain's. [FULL STORY] commonground Entrepreneurs: Sherman Wright & Ahmad Islam, Managing Partners Address: 500 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite #300, Chicago, IL 60611 Phone: 312-384-1906 Website: http://www.commongroundmktg.com/ Email: sherman@commongroundmktg.com It is rare that you find two entrepreneurs with such an acute understanding of cultural buying patterns and tendencies, but Ahmad Islam and Sherman Wright embody as much. Their previous experience working as senior level managers with major agencies validates that these emerging stars have proven themselves in the past. We fully anticipate that they will prove themselves on their own as well. They have a vision that is correlated to results and encourage clients to hold them to as much. commonground should be on the radar of every major corporation that is attempting to cross-promote products and services to a wide demographic and cultural base. [FULL STORY] Digital Bootcamp Entrepreneur: Michael Carruth, Commander in Chief/COO Address: 400 N. Noble St. Chicago, IL 60622 Phone: 312-633-3000 Website: http://www.digitalbootcamp.com/ Email: mailto:mike@digitalbootcamp.com Think back to the last time you were trained on some type of software. We bet you wouldn't use the words "valuable", "fun", "interesting" and "cool" to describe your experience -- until now. Digital Bootcamp has made computer software training fun and easy. Whether you need assistance in "creative" programs like Photoshop and Flash or want to learn how to better use Microsoft Office, the company has a course that will fit your skill level, schedule, and most importantly, budget. Digital Bootcamp may be one of many software training companies, but they are THE company to watch in Chicago. By assembling a team of experienced instructors, building a state-of-the-art training facility and adding "personal" touches to your experience, you'll want to learn more about computers. [FULL STORY] Downtown Children's Learning Place Entrepreneur: Alicia Rytlewski, Owner/Director Address: 444 N. State St. #2H Chicago, IL 60610 Phone: 312-329-1064 Email: dclp444@ameritech.net Downtown Children's Learning Place (DCLP) provides children with a pleasant and positive environment in which to grow, while keeping the service at an affordable price for parents. This is an invaluable service for many of the city's professionals. DCLP is about giving excellent care and support to young children! Alicia Rytlewski, DCLP's Owner, has been consistent, patient and persistent as she has faced many obstacles and challenges during her quest to expand the business. She has worked extremely hard to secure financing to open a second location of DCLP and the CEC will continue to work with her through the next level of her business. [FULL STORY] Entertain With Ease! LLC Entrepreneur: Jodi Rosen Ablin, President & Co-Founder Address: 1658 N. Milwaukee Ave., #204, Chicago, IL 60647 Phone: 773-394-EASE (3273) Website: http://www.entertainwithease.com/ Email: jodi@entertainwithease.com Jodi Rosen Ablin has truly learned how to combine business with pleasure! Entertain with Ease! SM is a direct selling company that works with consultants from across the nation to host fun "home" parties. What we enjoy most about Jodi's creation is that she has found a wonderful and creative way to sell delicious food and high quality products that educate others about entertaining at home. There are few companies that use the direct selling model, but with her extensive research and determination, we can easily see this company growing exponentially in this specialized market. [FULL STORY] Fieldglass Inc. Name: Jai Shekhawat, CEO & Co-Founder Address: 125 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: 312-279-8700 Website: http://www.fieldglass.com/ Email: jai@fieldglass.com In the growing space of services procurement, Fieldglass puts Chicago on the map. As questions continue to swirl about the effects of outsourcing, Fieldglass has built a software platform that leverages the trend and is attracting Global 2000 corporations to their Chicago doorstep. This company and their CEO, Jai Shekhawat, should be on your radar. [FULL STORY] Maddie Powers Entrepreneur: Jay G. Moore, Founder Address: 720 W. Schubert, #3, Chicago, IL 60613 Phone: 773-472-4579 Website: http://www.maddiepowers.com/ Email: mailto:info@maddiepowers.com There are few people that better encapsulate the meaning of entrepreneur than Jay Moore, the visionary behind Maddie Powers. As you read about Maddie Powers and Jay, keep in mind that a simple idea with a strong brand can lead to remarkable achievements. You'd know if you've seen a Maddie Powers product as they stick out in a crowded room, and if you haven't, you will. After all, they are in over 200 boutiques and a little place called Nordstrom. [FULL STORY] Maven Cosmetics Entrepreneurs: Sandi Hwang Adam & Noreen Abbasi, CEO & President Address: 36 S. Wabash, Suite 1414, Chicago, IL 60603 Phone: 312-782-6240 Website: http://www.mavencosmetics.com/ Email: sandi@mavencosmetics.com We all know plenty of MBAs who quit their jobs to work for an hourly wage in department stores, right? Well, maybe not. But Sandi Hwang Adam and Noreen Abbasi did just that. Their vision for doing as much: gain experience on the ground floor to create an "exceptional line of cosmetic products to enhance the beauty of every woman -- whatever the ethnicity, skin tone, complexion or hair texture." Since their initial product launch, Sandi and Noreen have built a company with unique product lines that can be found in retailers in 11 states across the nation and in the Dominican Republic. They recently launched in Marshall Fields (on North Michigan Ave.) and will be adding Sephora in the near future. We look forward to continuing to support the sensation that is appealing to women nationwide, Maven Cosmetics. [FULL STORY] nPhase Entrepreneur: Steve Pazol, President & CEO Address: 1415 N. Dayton, Suite 3S, Chicago, IL 60622 Phone: 312-664-7000 Website: http://www.nphase.com/ Email: stevepazol@nphase.com nPhase has developed a unique, and more importantly, applicable usage of technology for manufacturers and users of large machines. They've also carved out impressive partnerships with Nokia and Avnet. Anyone looking for a good case study on the value of using technology to remotely monitor physical assets should see their work with Checkers, and the ROI that nPhase delivered for the fast-food chain. We see a high demand for their services in an industry that is desperately seeking opportunities for add-on revenue sales and think that Steve Pazol, nPhase's CEO, will lead this company to be a Chicagoland success story in a very new and emerging market. [FULL STORY] SmartSignal Corporation Entrepreneur: Gary W. Conkright, President, CEO & Chairman of the Board Address: 901 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, IL, 60532 Phone: 630-829-4000 Website: http://www.smartsignal.com/ Email: http://www.wehaveanswers.org/theBeacon/jkerastas@smartsignal.com With their technology developed by Argonne and the company created out of the University of Chicago, SmartSignal is a poster child for successfully commercializing a technology in Chicagoland. SmartSignal modifies the saying, "if it's not broken, don't fix it" by utilizing predictive monitoring technologies to detect and fix problems before they occur. As the predictive technology sector continues to grow, SmartSignal is positioned to be a market leader and a Chicago success. [FULL STORY] Star Farm Productions Entrepreneur: Patricia Lindsay, President Address: 1015 W. Lake Street, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60607 Phone: 312-226-7130 Website: http://www.starfarmproductions.com/ Email: trish@starfarmproductions.com Sitting in pretty tight quarters and at almost eye level with passing "L" trains is a company where words like "passion", "vision" and "creativity" don't really give the employees justice. Star Farm is challenging people's perspective of an entertainment company by producing "assets" (you'll see what we mean) and with their first property, Edgar & Ellen, set for publication in eight languages in 75 countries, they've already sold us. [FULL STORY]
Mark Your Calendars Register for the CEC and Chamber's exciting upcoming events! Tuesday, June 8 8:30 am - 10:30 am WE HAVE ANSWERS WORKSHOP Accelerate the Success of Your Business Click Here for Details & To Register Wednesday, June 9 7:45 am - 9:15 am MEMBERSHIP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BREAKFAST Sponsored by Chicago Evening Click Here for Details & To Register Tuesday, June 15 10:00 - 11:00 am EXPERTS FOR FREE Computer & Network Security Risks for Small Business Click Here for Details & To Register Wednesday, June 16 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm BUSINESS AFTER BUSINESS Networking Event at Peggy Notebaert Museum Click Here for Details & To Register Thursday, June 24 7:45 am - 9:00 am ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERSHIP Creating the Next Generation of Business Champions Click Here for Details & To Register Tuesday, June 29 7:45 am - 9:00 am BUSINESS LEADERS BREAKFAST The End of Cheap Oil and the Effects of Fuel Prices on the Economy Visit http://www.chicagolandchamber.org/ for more information. Registration opens shortly. Tuesday, July 13 10:00 am - 11:00 am EXPERTS FOR FREE 20 Tips for Success Click Here for Details & To Register Wednesday, July 14 7:45 am - 9:15 am MEMBERSHIP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BREAKFAST Click Here for Details [FULL STORY] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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        This publication has been developed through a partnership in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center as a service to Illinois small businesses under cooperative agreement # 0-7620-0014-18. |
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