BUSINESS
ENTREPRENEURS |
Evanston Portrait | 5 ◄ Jennifer Rapp Peterson, found of IndieMade
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healthy. I wanted to create a fitness home so it made sense to do so in my home town.” Now, the studio serves as a family wellness center for all stages of life, hosting fitness classes, maternal services and parental resources. Another entrepreneur started her business to provide multiple resources as well, but targeted to creative businesses’ online success. Jennifer Rapp Peterson, founder of IndieMade, got the idea her tech company in the mid-2000s. “The real catalyst was when I started my third business’s website (selling my handmade plush toys), the tools for building a website were very limited. Having a background in software, I knew there were applications available to make it much easier and less expensive. So I started IndieMade,” she said. Building a business in Evanston worked for her, Peterson said, because not only does the city support tech innovation, but also the city has countless opportunities for artists like her and her clients. “In fact, I started selling my hand-
made toys at Cornucopia Gift Fair and at the farmers market near the theatres,” she said. Business comes full circle in this entrepreneurial crowd. Peterson said that is was easy to find tech partners, and she even rented office space at coLab. “We have very, very discerning residents here.We have younger professionals that have the means and are looking for quality. That goes with the craft and boutique culture. I’m very excited to see that happening in Evanston,”Wong said. These business owners also stay involved with promoting the commerce in their areas. Turley is president of the Main Street Station Merchants Association. “I am just now starting my third term on the board and my second term as board president,” Turley said. “My role is really one of guiding and coordinating the work that we’re doing to promote the area and offer support to the member businesses. Our area is already wonderfully vibrant, and we’re seeing new and exciting things happening in the district.”
“We have very, very discerning residents here. We have younger professionals that have the means and are looking for quality.” ► Malik Turley, owner of Hip Circle Studio ▲ Miguel Wong, owner of coLab Evanston, a Co-working business
“I happen to be a very prototypical person, and there was a need in Evanston for these things and so it kind of worked out.”
“I wanted to create a fitness home so it made sense to do so in my home town.”
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