Marketing

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 27 – The Silver Room, Eclectic Retail and Sound System Block Party in Hyde Park

Eric describes doing business in Chicago as “exhilarating.” Despite being a natural entrepreneur who loves his city and his community, it isn’t always easy to navigate the city’s codes and licenses. How exactly did Eric go from peddling Bart Simpson t-shirts on the street, to a lifestyle retail space in Wicker Park and a move to Hyde Park, to starting a block party in Hyde Park that attracts thousands of people, to pop-up shops around Chicago?

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

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?

Episode 13 – Dearborn Denim of West Garfield Park, a Denim Brand and Manufacturer

Robert describes doing business in Chicago as full of “good people”. He says Chicago is one of the best places in America to launch an apparel manufacturing business. What about the city makes it a hospitable place for skilled workers in this industry?

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?

Episode 3 – Middle Brow Beer Co. in Logan Square, a Brewery and Brewpub

Pete describes doing business in Chicago as “optimistic”. He followed a Brew Pub model, but how did outsourcing the production of his beer make him feel?

Episode 2 – Jimmy’s Vegan of Auburn Gresham, a Food Producer

Jimmy describes doing business in Chicago as “hard but fair”. His initial business model was inspired by a famous Black Institution in Chicago. Which one?