Health Inspection

Episode 31 – Forty Acres Fresh Market, a Pop-Up Grocer

January 28, 2020 howsbusiness Food Business, Health Inspection, Licensing, My first trip to City Hall, Permitting, Retail, Self-funded Business, Uncategorized, Wellness 00:17:12 Comments Off on Episode 31 – Forty Acres Fresh Market, a Pop-Up Grocer

Liz says doing business in Chicago is “uncertain” because she’s trying something a little outside of the box in the grocery market. Forty Acres Fresh Market is a pop up grocer specializing in selling high quality fresh produce at an everyday low price. Founded in response to the dearth of fresh food options on Chicago’s West Side, Liz is doubling down on community partnerships, grants, and building credibility in her neighborhood.Can this business model thrive in the long term?

Episode 30 – Autolyze Consulting, a remote Food Industry Consultant

January 21, 2020 howsbusiness Citations, Food Business, Health Inspection, Illinois State Regulation, Permitting, Shared Kitchen 00:06:17 Comments Off on Episode 30 – Autolyze Consulting, a remote Food Industry Consultant

Shelby describes doing business in Chicago as a “microcosm”. Learn more about his journey through Chicago’s food world on this week’s episode!

Episode 28 – Catalyst Ranch, Creative Meeting and Event Space in Chicago Loop

January 7, 2020 howsbusiness Access to Capital, Fees, Food Business, Growth, Health Inspection, Hiring, Licensing, Marketing, My first trip to City Hall, Permitting, Red Tape, Self-funded Business, Work-Life Balance, Zoning 00:14:20 Comments Off on Episode 28 – Catalyst Ranch, Creative Meeting and Event Space in Chicago Loop

Eva says doing business in Chicago is “challenging.” That’s putting it lightly! This founder of Catalyst Ranch, a creative meeting and event space in historic downtown Chicago, has run around in circles and jumped through hoops many times for everything from expanding their physical location, to getting the proper licensing to offer catering at their events, to getting a sign that people can actually see from the street. Find out why, despite these obstacles, Eva has no plans to leave Chicago and how she made the leap from corporate employee to thriving entrepreneur.

Episode 25 – Yolis Tamales in Gage Park, a Tamale Vendor

December 10, 2019 howsbusiness American Dream, Citations, Fees, Food Business, Health Inspection, Immigrant Entrepreneur, Licensing, Mobile Business, Red Tape, Shared Kitchen 00:12:39 Comments Off on Episode 25 – Yolis Tamales in Gage Park, a Tamale Vendor

Maria describes doing business in Chicago as “amazing”. Her business was recently formalized with the passing a street vending ordinance. Learn more about what street food legalization means for her.

Episode 24 – Robust Coffee Lounge in Hyde Park, a Coffee Shop

December 3, 2019 howsbusiness Economic Recession, Food Business, Health Inspection, My first trip to City Hall 00:07:16 0 Comments

Jake describes doing business in Chicago as “opportunity”. When the markets crashed in 2008, he found renewed purpose bringing coffee to the Hyde Park Woodlawn community. When he started the business, he thought coffee might be recession-proof. Was he right?

Episode 22 – Lobster Gram of Mayfair Park, a Food Distributor

November 12, 2019 howsbusiness Food Business, Health Inspection, Hiring, Licensing, Marketing, Permitting, Self-funded Business, Small Business Incubator, Work-Life Balance 00:10:37 0 Comments

Dan describes doing business in Chicago as “entrepreneurial”. He built a market for shipping seafood from the trunk of his car. How has he handled the challenges of maintaining a potentially hazardous food business?

Just Ice in Back of the Yards, a Craft Ice Producer

October 15, 2019 howsbusiness Access to Capital, Food Business, Growth, Health Inspection, Hiring, Illinois State Regulation, Licensing, Relocation, Self-funded Business, Sustainability, Work-Life Balance 00:14:15 0 Comments

Rosanna describes doing business in Chicago as “a new thing every day”. When she opened her craft ice business she had no competitors in Chicago. How did Rosanna go about navigating a new industry?

Episode 14 – Saucy Porka in The Loop & Hyde Park, a Restaurant

September 17, 2019 howsbusiness Fees, Food Business, Growth, Health Inspection, Hiring, Licensing, Mobile Business, My first trip to City Hall, Red Tape, Self-funded Business 00:13:25 0 Comments

Amy describes doing business in Chicago as “rewarding but frustrating”. When she began operating her food truck business Amy had no idea she would end up launching the Food Truck Association and advocating for new legislation. What advice would she now give to small business owners looking to engage with City Hall and influence policy?

Episode 4 – Upton’s Naturals in Austin, a Food Producer

July 2, 2019 howsbusiness Access to Capital, Citations, City Programs, Food Business, Growth, Health Inspection, Licensing, Marketing, Permitting, Red Tape, Relocation, Retail, Self-funded Business, Shared Kitchen, Vegan 00:13:18 Comments Off on Episode 4 – Upton’s Naturals in Austin, a Food Producer

Nicole and Dan describe doing business in Chicago as “resourceful”. They saved thousands when bringing their food space up to code. How did they do it?