Gentle Nest online maternity store conceived by Arlington Heights mom
Beth Klicker's business was conceived while she was on bed rest while carrying triplets.
Klicker had a tough time finding products to address her own specific needs through a difficult pregnancy and more than 20 weeks of bed rest.
Shortly after her triplet daughters were born, she decided it would be best to stay at home for the babies and their then 2-year-old brother, Ben.
Using her retail background and desire to help other pregnant women, she launched The Gentle Nest, an online maternity retailer. The mission statement for the year-old business is, "expecting the best."
Klicker's Web site offers an array of maternity products, books and support for pregnant women or those expecting multiples or who are on bed rest.
Pregnant women all know sleeping is one of the more difficult aspects of pregnancy. Klicker offers several support pillows designed to help women rest more comfortably. She said her most popular is a U-shaped pillow that helps support the front and the back. It sells for $99.
A variety of maternity support products and belts are also popular on the site. Some plus-size maternity clothing is also offered.
The Gentle Nest offers free shipping and is able to process payments through PayPal.
Klicker's triplets, Katie, Zoe and Izzy, are now 2 and Ben is 4. Klicker and her husband, Ross, reside in Arlington Heights. Ross works for the city of Wood Dale.
The business serves as a mini-sponsor for the Lose Your Mummy Tummy Seminar that takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Athletic Club in Lincoln Park.
For more information, check out www.thegentlenest.com.
Implant institute: A local dentist was chosen to head up the Midwest Implant Institute.
After a two-year search and more than 100 dentists interviewed, Dr. Joseph A. Favia, a general dentist in Arlington Heights, was chosen to head up a new surgical dental institute for the entire Midwest.
Favia will teach fellow general dentists the art of placing dental implants for their patients. This procedure, in which patients have traditionally been sent to a gum or oral surgeon, can now be performed in-office by the general dentist after the completion of Favia's course.
William Stough, Midwest representative for Camlog Implants, was in charge of the search. "His integrity, skills and knowledge of the subject stood out during his interviews." Stough said.
Favia was honored to be selected. "There is no greater honor for me in my profession than to be able to teach my colleagues a procedure in which I know they can do with predictability for their patients. This course empowers them to a level in which they never thought was possible," Favia said.
Implants are considered the "standard of care" in the industry to replace missing teeth, he said. Patients that qualify and participate in Favia's course will receive a discount on both the implant and the crown. For more, call (847) 398-0811.