Web site links local businesses, customers

Don't call it Angie's List.

It's more like Kadie's List - and it's totally local.

Kadie O'Connor of Aurora founded MyReferralDirectory.com in March 2007 as an arena to feature local businesses and a free resource for consumers looking for a product or service that's nearby. So far, the site includes about 50 local businesses that serve consumers in Chicago and the suburbs, and more are likely.

"In the past, I attempted to establish several small businesses, and in those attempts I was faced with trying to figure out how to bring my business to the attention of the general public," O'Connor said. "At networking groups I would hear this problem over and over from very frustrated people that were trying very hard to make a living. I did some research and discovered that no one had (as of yet) combined Internet business searching with the ability to get referrals, and decided that this was something I had to try."

O'Connor said she doesn't compete with Angie's List, which is for service contractors and requires the general public to pay for accessing the list.

O'Connor's list has the business pay a one-time $50 fee, which includes a 200-word listing, direct links to e-mail and Web addresses and involvement in member activities. This includes the firm's second "Meet and Greet" on July 22. The first such event was in March. The site offers several categories, including home décor and home cleaning as well as Realtors, insurance agents and physical therapists, among others. Once consumers find the category and location of a business they are interested in contacting, they can either directly ask that business for client referrals or testimonials, she said.

O'Connor said she personally contacts each company.

"I call these contacts when a business applies for membership to be sure they understand what they are being asked to do, as well as check to be sure they aren't relatives or fake," she said.

"A lot of the business people listed in the directory have heard about it from other business people they know, while some hear about us on WSPY-FM radio, where I currently advertise."

O'Connor said she intends to continue the networking opportunities among the companies and to increase the number of companies provided on the list.

"My goal is to have people think of www.MyReferralDirectory.com when they want to find a business, some of which are such unusual categories that they won't be found in the Yellow Pages, to find good people to do business with," O'Connor said.

Surfing: Round Lake-based www.TouchofLightCandles.com offers handmade soy candles. Company owner Lisa Caringello said the candles are 100 percent natural, including 80 percent soy and 20 percent other vegetable product. "Our candles burn clean, without the toxic chemicals that make those black soot marks on your ceiling, walls, curtains - and not to mention what you are breathing in," she said.

• Spring Grove-based www.IntermaticStore.com offers products that control lighting, appliances and other items in and around the home.