Future business leaders: Barrington chamber honors young entrepreneurs at annual banquet

The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce recognized the ingenuity of a group of young entrepreneurs at their annual dinner celebration on Jan. 30 at Avante Banquets & Conference Center. The event attracted nearly 200 business and community leaders to celebrate business in the Barrington Area.

“Celebrating the creative entrepreneurial spirit of the next generation of business leaders is always an honor at our BACC Annual Dinner,” BACC president and CEO Suzanne Corr said. “By recognizing these young startups in a room filled with established business and community leaders, we hope to inspire future connections and encourage them to grow as business leaders in the Barrington area.”

The 2025 Young Entrepreneurs Award was presented to Julie Gonzalez, Sree Nara, Rishi Patari, and Dylan DeLeon for their development of Fresh Cornucopia, an online marketplace created through Barrington High School’s Incubator Program.

This dynamic team of BHS students designed Fresh Cornucopia to raise awareness of sustainable food sources and connect consumers with small, local food businesses. To bring their vision to life, they visited farmers markets and engaged with over 90 small business owners to understand their challenges. These conversations motivated them to create an online platform featuring more than 25 vendors, providing an accessible way for shoppers to discover and order local, quality foods.

For instance, they are working with a local baker to expand her customer base and boost sales. Last fall, they signed a partnership with the Palatine Farmers Market to promote its vendors. Additionally, leveraging their position as high school students, they developed a service connecting BHS students with job opportunities at local farmers market vendors.

The BACC is honored to celebrate the innovation and dedication of these young entrepreneurs. Their efforts not only support local businesses but also strengthen the future of our community by fostering connections and sustainable growth in the Barrington Area.