Articles filed under Small Business

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Allstate’s Gregoire works to help others Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
Kukec's People features Buffalo Grove's Maryse Gregoire, who has worked for Allstate for 39 years and recently won the Outstanding Employee Volunteer of the Year award with her community work.
Wheaton entrepreneur suggests to start planning, saving for college earlyFeb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
The key to planning for college is to start saving early and know what you're doing. We talk to the owner of College Funding International in Wheaton.
LinkedIn more complicated, but potentially more effective Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
LinkedIn may be more complicated, but it's potentially more effective according to a local business owner interviewed by Small Business Columnist Jim Kendall.
SBA head Mills to leave Obama administration Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
Karen Mills is leaving her post as head of the Small Business Administration, opening yet another Cabinet-rank job for President Barack Obama to fill at the start of his second term. Obama says Mills played a leading role supporting start-up businesses and entrepreneurs.
Goofy brothers get serious about fighting cancerFeb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
Brothers Tom and Bill Latourette have been competitive since they were kids. So when the suburban dads took to the golf course to raise a few bucks for a friend with cancer, they vowed to raise more the next year. A dozen years and nearly $400,000 later, they're pushing to raise more through the wackiest fundraiser ever.
Palatine music store owner’s dying wish to be honored Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
For John Giovannoni, co-owner of The Music Room in downtown Palatine, a dying request has become a reason to celebrate. “His request before he passed away was that he didn’t want a service or a memorial or a funeral or any of that, but he wanted a party,” said Lindsey Lindstrom, a former employee who is organizing the party. The party celebrating Giovannoni’s life will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, at The Music Room, 26 N. Brockway in Palatine.
Small business leader tells women owners to take charge Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
Barbara Kasoff has a message for women business owners: If you don’t like the way government regulations affect your business, stop whining and get involved. The founder of Women Impacting Public Policy, a group that lobbies lawmakers on behalf of women-owned small businesses, isn’t shy about telling women they need to take charge if they want their businesses to succeed — especially when it comes to government policy.
Distillery proposal suits the taste of Lake Zurich officialsFeb 9, 2013 12:00 AM
Lake Zurich officials are amenable to a proposed craft distillery on Main Street. Copper Fiddle Distillery, proposed by two partners from Hawthorn Woods, would sell crafted whiskeys, gins and other speciality liquors. “These are the kind of unique things that would help separate us from some other communities that don’t have these things and are looking for them,” Trustee Tom Poynton said. “I’m 100 proof for this.”
Casinos saturating market Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Atlantic City, the New Jersey resort that ruled the East Coast market for three decades after the first casino opened in 1978, is floundering after six years of declining revenue as a result of losing business to casinos in neighboring states.
Palatine restaurant’s business license hearing postponed again Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
For the second time, a hearing regarding possible sanctions regarding the business license of a Palatine restaurant — where authorities say illegal drug sales have taken place — has been postponed. La Presa, 319 S. Rohlwing Road, could face fines or have its license revoked or suspended as a result of the drug allegations, as well as claims that employees who serve liquor don’t have the proper certification.
Sure of wife choice, guys still fret about engagement ring Feb 7, 2013 12:00 AM
When superstar performing artist Justin Timberlake asked actress Jessica Biel to be his wife, he presented her with a custom-made diamond engagement ring he designed himself. Biel gushed to celebrity magazines about Timberlake's artistic flair with jewelry. Most men are not Justin Timberlake. “A lot of times it's hard for a guy to just walk into a jewelry store. He's very nervous about getting the wrong ring,” says Wyatt Austin Jewelers owner Candice Milstein.
G. Whiz in Barrington to close Feb 6, 2013 12:00 AM
G Whiz, a long-time gift store at The Foundry in Barrington is closing and the owners plan to retire in Arizona. They'll still own and operate two Pandora jewelry stores, one at Deer Park and another in Arizona.
Palatine residents will reopen Brandt’s Feb 4, 2013 12:00 AM
A longtime Palatine staple won't be going to the auction block, after all. New owners Walt Oswald and Jim Iuorio bought the struggling Brandt's Little Cafe and hope to re-brand, refurbish and reopen the burger and rib joint next month as Brandt's of Palatine. "We both love Brandt's and didn't want to see it go away," Oswald said.
New work, ear surgery help Wheaton entrepreneur's creative side Feb 4, 2013 12:00 AM
Kukec's People features Nancy Chovancek, whose life turned around after her parents died and she felt life was too short not to do something she always wanted to do. She left behind a 10-year career in project management, returned to school, graduated magna cum laude from DeVry University with a degree in web graphic design in 2009, and launched her own company, Wheaton-based Pegleg Web Designs. She also overcame hearing loss by having surgery in both ears at the same time.
Avid runner moves business to Arlington Heights Feb 4, 2013 12:00 AM
The owner of UB5 Dynamic Running Specialist moves her business from her home to a retail spot in Arlington Heights.
Is this the year you can finally sell your business? Feb 4, 2013 12:00 AM
After way too many years of waiting — for the economy to improve, for banks and investors to loosen up, for buyers to appear — you figure this is the year to sell your business and move on. Small Business Columnist Jim Kendall addresses the topic.
West Dundee OKs video gamblingFeb 4, 2013 12:00 AM
Up until Monday night, West Dundee was the odd man out when it came to its ban on video gambling. But by a vote of 5 to 1, West Dundee leaders decided to let it into town, much to the delight of several business owners. "I'm glad they did it," Randy Errington, owner of Bikini Bottom Bar and Grill, said after the vote. "We need it. If they don't, I'm closed."
Hawthorn Woods man preserving historyFeb 3, 2013 12:00 AM
Jim Dryden was a boy when he received a Japanese sword his uncle brought back from World War II. Now nearing retirement, the Hawthorn Woods man has ammassed a collection or more than 100,000 war items and hopes to open a museum. “It's a hobby,” observes the reserved Dryden, who lives in Hawthorn Woods and makes his living as a financial services consultant and partner in collection agencies.
Mayor chooses candidate to fill Rolling Meadows council slot Feb 2, 2013 12:00 AM
Real estate agent Laura Majikes is set to become the new Third Ward alderman in Rolling Meadows if the city council concurs with the mayor's pick. “We need somebody who can get up to speed as quickly as possible,” Rooney said Saturday.
Mt. Prospect Celestial Celebration changes draw crowd Feb 2, 2013 12:00 AM
Mount Prospect added new twists to an old favorite and has a hit on its hands once again. The Mount Prospect Special Events Commission’s Celestial Celebration attracted 100 more people with a new night, new venue and other changes to the 20-year-old event.