Women in Business Fall 2015

Women In Business

Special Advertising Section

October 28, 2015 B1

Fall 2015

Women in Business STRENGTHEN | CREATE | BUILD | TRANSFORM | MENTOR

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October 28, 2015

Women In Business

Special Advertising Section

Stage Rite delivers the perfect events

D

eb Sloan began Party planning at age 17. Her first party was a Western theme with homemade bandanas and cowboy/girl hats. Upon arrival, guests were delighted, with the décor including “Most Wanted” posters of themselves, a cardboard tavern, saw horses decorated as horses at hitching posts and a sandbox with gold spray painted dog food used to pan for

as gold nuggets for the food and beverage trading posts. After numerous years of planning and organizing events for local businesses and foundations, Deb made the decision to establish her skills formally.

One of Deb’s most popular and her personal favorite is the ‘Trick or Treat the Haunted Hallways’ of Scoville Square following the Oak Park Ave Halloween Parade which is this Saturday October 31, 2015 at 10am.

Deb Sloan’s business offers, event planning services for all types of celebrations from Birthday parties to Corporate events and promotions.

Ms. Sloan approaches each event as an opportunity to build and promote businesses, create relationships and best of all, life long memories.

To find out how she can help you with your next event contact her at 708-917-2693 or stageritebydeb@aol.com.

Stage Rite Events by Deb

Event planning | Decor Installations

We do event planning and decor installations.

Let us know how we can help you with your next project, celebration or party.

Birthday Parties • Holiday Celebrations • Retirement Parties Meetings • Wedding Showers • Baby Showers Deb Sloan | 708•917•2693 | stageritebydeb@aol.com | www.stageritebydeb.com

Deb Sloan, owner of Stage Rite

2015

The best where-to-shop, what-to-buy local guide this side of the North Pole!

Reach 15,000 homes in Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Riverside, North Riverside & Brookfield.

Publication Date: December 9 Space Reservation Deadline: December 4

To advertise call 708.524.8300

Women In Business

Special Advertising Section

October 28, 2015 B3

The Ins and Outs of better fitness

W

hen Lisa Neumann first opened up her personal training studio, In & Out Fitness, she assumed that her clients would primarily be people wanting to lose weight. The reality, though, turned out to be something much more fundamental.

“Most of my clients,” Lisa says, “simply want to ‘feel better.’”

Lisa defines fitness as “the ability to save your own life.” Her approach is known as “functional fitness.” She designs workouts that emulate real life movement challenges, such as climbing stairs with weight in your hands or pulling heavy objects. Being able to face these day-to-day challenges with greater ease and less risk of injury can make an enormous difference in a person’s life.

Nothing makes Lisa prouder than hearing a client tell her, for instance, that their knees were not sore after moving day.

A big believer in helping people help themselves, Lisa focuses on education. She teaches her clients about their bodies and how to efficiently maximize their exercise time. Nutrition is crucial. Lisa is a certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist, and helps her clients understand what they should and should not be putting in their bodies. “You can’t out-train a bad diet,” she says, “unless people examine their eating habits they will just be wasting their time at the gym.”

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Lisa works with people of all ages and fitness levels. One area that she sees as especially important is youth training. As young people become single-sport athletes at earlier ages, the incidence of overuse injuries, such as tendonitis, can increase. Cross training is the best way to combat these injuries by getting athletes to perform repetitive movement patterns outside the norm of their sport.

At In & Out Fitness, there are no memberships, no contracts and no extra fees. For Lisa, more time in the gym does not necessarily mean more results. Her model focuses on teaching her clients the work they need to do, and the intensity they need to do it at so as to get the results they want. They pay only for their scheduled appointments.

The result is happy clients, getting value for their money, achieving their goals and, yes, feeling better.

In & Out Fitness can be found at 7611 Lake Street, River Forest. For more information, call Lisa Neumann at 708-288-0756 or go to Inoutfitness.net.

Excellent Customer Service and Commitment To Community Helps Many Reach Their Goals

“

ABC Bank focuses on building and maintaining relationships”, says Colette Loesher, President and CEO. Ms. Loesher has been with ABC Bank for nearly 27 years and has 40 years of banking experience.

Her extensive professional background and expertise as well as her attention to providing excellent customer service have made her a perfect fit for her role at ABC Bank.

Prior to her current position, she served as the Bank’s Senior Vice President and Senior Loan Officer. Ms. Loesher’s current responsibilities include developing and implementing various strategies and providing overview, direction and supervision on all aspects of operations for five locations. She is also a member of ABC Bank’s Board of Directors.

Ms. Loesher is committed to improving the quality of life and well being of people in the communities served by the Bank by sponsoring events, supporting local fundraisers and volunteering employees’ time to non-profit organizations. Currently she is working with local developers to rehab foreclosed homes in an effort to provide quality affordable housing. It is this commitment to the communities that has resulted in ABC Bank earning

the FDIC’s highest rating for Community Reinvestment for

many years.

If you desire to do business

with a local community bank

whose focus is on its customers and communities, stop in to one of the five ABC Bank locations

today, and take the first step

in building that relationship.

Accounts and services are in place to help you reach your personal or business goals.

ABC Bank has five locations, four in Chicago and one in Bensenville: 5645 West Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60644; 6400 West Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60707; 9443 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60620; 1301 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607; and 2 South York Road, Bensenville, IL 60106.

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October 28, 2015

Women In Business

Special Advertising Section

Nurturing the Future Generation of Women in Tech in Oak Park and Beyond

By Chee-Young Kim, co-founder of NowSecure

Nurturing the next generation of women in tech

W

hen I first started NowSecure, a mobile security startup, with my husband Andrew in 2009, locating the office in Oak Park made sense. We lived in Oak Park, had reasonable office space options and spent time with our kids that would otherwise have been spent commuting to and from downtown Chicago. $12.5M in funding and one additional kid later, Andrew and I have grown NowSecure more than three hundred percent since 2012 – continuing to provide mobile security insights to Fortune 1000 companies and end users from 188 countries. NowSecure’s mobile security platform helps secure and mitigate vulnerabilities for mobile devices, mobile applications and end users. We believe that mobile security should be available to all.

For example, Jill Salzman, a long-time Oak Park resident, decided to launch her business here many years ago. She started a Meetup downtown Oak Park with the intent to “meet fellow female entrepreneurs who had businesses and babies, and could teach me a thing or two.” To her surprise, 15 women walked through the door at the first Meetup.

What began as a monthly, kid-friendly Meetup for mom entrepreneurs has grown into a global community of more than 8,000 mom entrepreneurs in 48 cities and 10 countries around the world (and growing). As Jill plainly states, “The Founding Moms, as I later named the organization, is proof alone that Oak Park is outrageously supportive.”

Blagica Bottigliero, Digital Media VP at Metaverse Mod Squad, who ran a few of

There is a rare camaraderie in the Village, letting entrepreneurship and creativity thrive in a community of likeminded women. nowsecure.com @NowSecureMobile

- Biagica Bottigliero Being part of a tech company, I quickly realized that there are huge gender disparities in startups – especially in technology. The engineers are mostly men. Women earn only 12% of all computer science degrees.

The stats are more dismissal for startups, where only 7% of venture capital funding goes to women-owned businesses and women only make up 4.2% of investing venture capitalists.

What is amazing about Oak Park is how the community and its residents are trying to close these gender gaps. This close-knit community is aligned in the mission to create an environment of growth, opportunity and innovation for entrepreneurs, as well as students and young people. But, what’s making Oak Park’s progression unique is that female entrepreneurs are leading the charge and breaking down gender barriers in STEM education and careers that are still male-dominated.

My story is just one of hundreds of examples of why talented and successful women are choosing to live right here in Oak Park.

her own startups, is another accomplished female executive that made the choice to work and raise her family in Oak Park.

“Oak Park provides the kind of work/life balance that is so logical these days, but still a rare perk in many work places. There is a rare camaraderie in the Village, letting entrepreneurship and creativity thrive in a community of like-minded women. Whether someone works full-time, part-time or is at home with the family, there is an instant bond around helping everyone excel. As a mother to a young girl and little boy, the examples they see of numerous women-owned businesses is inspiring and the very environment I wanted them to grow up in.”

Heidi Brown, Founder of Options Away, now the largest company in 1871 Chicago, is another entrepreneur that made the choice to locate her family here in Oak Park. She attributes her entrepreneurial success to the fact that half of her female friends that work outside the home are entrepreneurs. She loves this for two very distinct reasons. She receives moral support from people with

Women In Business continued from page B4 similar lifestyles and issues, as well as the fact that everyone is so flexible and willing to help each other.

“As the owner of a tech company, I was thrilled to walk into my daughter’s middle school on the first day to find a tricked-out design lab, complete with cool tools and even a 3D printer,” said Brown. “Oak Park middle-schoolers now enjoy a compulsory trimester encompassing modeling, robotics and electronics.”

Heidi’s experience at her daughter’s Oak Park middle school is a rare occurrence in many parts of our country. According to National Math & Science Initiative, 65% of high school grads are not prepared for college level Math or Science.

One local organization that is taking the initiative to reverse those statistics for our kids is the Oak Park Education Foundation (OPEF) led by Deb Abrahamson, the Executive Director. OPEF offers curriculumenriching STEM programs to District 97 students at NO COST to the taxpayers. With its award-winning VEX Robotics program, middle school kids are learning to design and build complex robots – gearing them up for a world of possibilities in engineering, technology and science. But what makes OPEF progressive and special is that they are also incorporating “girls only” workshops with topics that have been traditionally been gender biased to boys.

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Special Advertising Section

Last week, NowSecure in conjunction with the OPEF, held a Website Design Workshop for Girls as part of their Build Like a Girl series. In one afternoon 30 girls from 6th - 8th grade participated in a hands-on workshop designing/coding a website. The level of excitement and the sense of accomplishment from the girls were inspirational! And, the number of female-only volunteers proved that interest in STEM was just not for boys. We had an all female volunteer crew that included high schoolers, VP of Engineering, employees of NowSecure, teachers from the middle schools, among many others. And yes, many of us were moms to boot.

Organizations such as the OPEF and the female role models like Jill, Heidi and Blagica and so many others, are what makes Oak Park a great community that is truly trying to empower and nurture our next generation of women in tech.

We are NowSecure NowSecure is advancing mobile security worldwide with nearly 300 million devices and app downloads protected by our technology.

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October 28, 2015

1st - 12th Grade

Women In Business

Special Advertising Section

Math Enrichment

SAT, ACT & ISEE Test Prep

Mathnasium Teaches Kids to Love Math

Homework Help

F

We make math make sense.

Call us today for a free trial!

708.613.4007

Mathnasium of Oak Park/River Forest 212 S. Marion St., Oak Park, IL 60302 oakparkriverforest@mathnasium.com

or as long as she can remember Jana Frank has always loved school.

From the time she was a small child teaching the ABCs to her little brother, to the years she spent as a public school teacher, to the opening of her own tutoring center, Mathnasium of Oak Park/River Forest, Jana has enjoyed the experience of helping others learn.

Jana’s teaching career began in the Chicago Public Schools. While she loved her classroom and was devoted to her students, she grew frustrated with the politics of the system. As a math teacher, she struggled to reconcile her knowledge of how students actually learn with mandates to teach to the standardized tests. “I didn’t want to just force feed formulas to my students,” Jana explains, “and the set-up of the curriculum did not allow the opportunity to explore math deeply or help my students actually understand the concepts versus just memorizing and doing computations.”

When Jana discovered the Mathnasium franchise, with its Make Math Make Sense philosophy, she knew that she had found the right fit. Mathnasium matched Jana’s own teaching style, one that used best practices and aligned with the real interests of the child. In Mathnasium, Jana felt the freedom

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to finally teach in ways that not only worked, but actually inspired kids to like and get excited about math.

Instead of asking students to memorize rules and formulas, the Mathnasium method teaches math as an interrelated set of ideas and then builds connections and critical thinking skills. The goal is for each child to discover the beauty of math, and to do so using their own personalized learning plan, progressing at their own rate.

In the short time that Mathnasium has been in Oak Park, Jana and her talented staff of “cool math nerds” have compiled an impressive list of achievement. “Our Brag Board is literally covered in success stories,” Jana beams. One student went from an “F” to a “B” in a matter of weeks, a high schooler got his first “A” ever, others moved up to advanced math classes, the list goes on and on.

With Mathnasium, Jana found her calling. “It is so amazing,” she says, “to watch as kids learn to believe and challenge themselves and gain confidence. It carries over into all areas of their lives.”

Mathnasium of Oak Park/River Forest is located at 212 S Marion St. in Oak Park, and can be reached at (708) 613-4007.

Women In Business

October 28, 2015 B7

Special Advertising Section

Patti Sprafka Wagner sets the stage for success in real estate

S

elling your home has never been more involved and exciting. Today’s home buyers can view virtual tours of hundreds of properties right from their computer or smart phone. If you are a seller, your challenge is getting noticed amid the vast array of other properties on the internet. What will attract buyers to your home? Will they view your house as a place they want to live? This is where Patti Sprafka Wagner excels.

A proven leader in the industry with over 25 years of experience, and an Accredited Staging Professional, Patti’s understanding of what today’s home buyer is looking for, helps her to advise her home seller-clients on how to prepare their property to maximize value and impact, “The most important part of the selling process happens before the house goes on the market,” Patti says, “Home sellers often underestimate what they have to do to prepare their property for sale. Staging the property can often be the difference between selling in days rather than months.”

To stay on top of the market, Patti regularly pursues professional development and continually studies market conditions. In addition to her Staging Designation, she is also a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.

Larger, higher priced homes attract a unique home buyer.

“The more expensive the home, the smaller the pool of potential buyers,” Patti says, “I work hard to make sure that the luxury homes I represent get the broadest exposure to the most qualified buyers.”

Patti Sprafka Wagner offers her clients a full-service approach. She will help you get your house ready for viewing and then market it in the places that will attract the best possible buyers. From negotiating the contract to navigating home inspections and village regulations, Patti

The most important part of the selling process happens before the house goes on the market.

Patti Sprafka Wagner lists and sells homes of every type and every price point. Here is a sampling of properties she currently has listed for sale: 1351 Keystone, River Forest 5 BR, 4.2 BA • $1,575,000

727 N. Elmwood, Oak Park 4 BR, 3.1 BA • $899,000

1520 Franklin, River Forest 4 BR, 2.2 BA • $799,000

901 Marion, Oak Park

- Patti Sprafka Wagner

3 BR, 2 BA • $548,500

533 Clinton, Oak Park 5 BR, 1.1 BA • $495,000

300 N. Maple #8, Oak Park

always strives to make the process, not only smooth for her clients, but pleasant. “Buying or selling a home is an exciting time,” she says, ”my job is making sure my clients can enjoy the process and be happy with the outcome.”

3 BR, 2.1 BA • $445,000

829 N. Lombard, Oak Park 2 Flat • $364,000

1156 Lyman, Oak Park 3 BR, 1.1 BA • $279,000

If you are thinking of making a move, contact Patti Sprafka Wagner at 708-218-8102 or at pswagner@live.com. You can also visit her website at www.OakParkRiverForestRealEstate.com or www.PattiWagner.com.

407 S. Oak Park, E, Oak Park 2 BR, 2.1 BA • $198,000

403 N. Marion 4c, Oak Park 2 BR, 1.1 BA • $149,900

RECOGNIZED • RESPECTED • RECOMMENDED

PATTI SPRAFKA WAGNER ACCREDITED STAGING PROFESSIONAL and a CERTIFIED LUXURY HOME MARKETING SPECIALIST

(708) 218-8102 • pswagner@live.com www.PattiWagner.com www.OakParkRiverForestRealEstate.com PATTI TRULY CARES

Patti Sprafka Wagner is simply the best Realtor out there. She truly cares about her clients and wants the best for them--she is not just looking to make a sale.

She is a strong advocate for her clients in the process of buying a house and goes the extra mile in getting everything done. She knows Oak Park and River Forest like the back of her hand and has a tremendous amount of experience in the realty business. I trust her implicitly as an adviser. I wouldn’t have had the courage to buy my first home without her!

-Jenna Mahay

EXPERT GUIDANCE

If you are looking for an excellent real estate agent, we highly recommend Patti Sprafka Wagner. As a long-time area Realtor, Patti has terrific intuitive knowledge of the local market. She expertly guided us through the sale of our house in 7 days, right at her suggested list price. Patti is thorough and honest and sets realistic expectations. Most importantly, Patti’s advice was invaluable with regard to the “right” projects to prepare our house for sale and which ones to skip. She’s an expert negotiator and provided sage advice on how to respond to offers and inspection findings.

-Selina Joya McUmber & Patrick McUmber

Nickel Group

and cons of any property. She quickly built a solid level of trust with us, and we definitely felt we could rely on her for her honest opinion. Patti was very responsive to all of our calls. She was respectful, patient, and didn’t pressure us to make any hasty decisions. You could tell she values her clients tremendously, and she takes great care to build a solid relationship. We will definitely be

using Patti again, and highly recommend her to anyone looking to buy/sell!

-Jillian & Dan Zarlenga

A GREAT EXPERIENCE

I worked with Patti Sprafka Wagner and was thrilled with the experience. I was looking to sell my home of 25 years, and because I was a first-time home seller, “THE CONSUMMATE PRO” I put myself completely in Patti’s professional care. I’m very glad I did. I followed HER STANDOUT QUALITY IS HER HONESTY Patti Sprafka Wagner is a remarkable real estate agent. If you are looking for her advice on staging all the rooms, and when the house was ready, we listed the We were first-time buyers and completely new (and nervous!) about the whole someone who uses her years of experience to actively walk you through the often process. But Patti made everything extremely easy and was an absolute pleasure house at just a little more than I’d anticipated. The house was listed on a Monday difficult and frustrating process of buying or selling a home, you can’t do better. and by Friday I had an offer, meeting my asking price! to work with. She really looked out for our best interest and was knowledgeable If you want someone who will offer both informed opinions and the advice you -Richard Bucchi about the area where we were buying. Another huge plus is she’s extremely need to make a decision, Patti is the consummate pro.

-Caren & Walter Van Slyke

honest, this is her most standout quality. She’ll tell you up-front about the pros

Call Patti today and begin your great real estate experience!

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October 28, 2015

Special Advertising Section

Architecture as Art: The Selling of Legacy Homes Realtor Broker Greer Haseman appreciates the unique character of our local architecture and understands the specific marketing needs that Legacy Homes require.

In 2015, she has represented some of the finest Works of Art in the Oak Park & River Forest market.

Greer Haseman

• Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) • Multi Year Recipient of the 5 Star Professional Award • 2011 Realtor of the Year 708•606•8896 - GREER @ GAGLIARDOREALTY.COM

Women In Business

Women In Business

October 28, 2015 B9

Special Advertising Section

Riveredge Hospital's own

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP Tan Travel: the personal connection you can’t get when booking your trip online

L

ydia I. Villanueva-Soto, president and owner of Tan Travel, has being in the travel industry for over twenty years. She has a passion for her clients that the internet or a computer cannot provide. She works with her clients’ needs, and is committed to providing lasting memories. Lydia works to build relationships with her customers, recognizing “they are the bread and butter of my business, and what drives me to work hard every day.”

The travel industry was at its peak before 9/11 and nowadays travel agencies are few and far between. With the rise of online booking engines, some folks have decided to go that route. But lately she’s noticed more and more people are coming back into the agency and asking for her personal opinion. The internet is great for research, but Lydia and her customers know that nothing beats face-to-face communication. Especially when planning something as important as your destination wedding or a dream vacation, you cannot always trust what a computer website might say or not say.

“Owning a small business has had its ups and downs but I am grateful to our repeat clients and all of their referrals, Tan Travel is here because of that. Our love for the travel industry and the people we have met and continue to serve makes our desire to continue in this once dying industry even greater.”

Lydia has also recently expanded her family by

adopting a beautiful baby girl named Isabella Grace. One of the interesting things about shopping local and keeping your business close to home is that you are also able to directly help families, such as Lydia I. Villanueva-Soto Lydia’s. “My business helps me put food on the table for my family. By keeping your business local, you are keeping my small business and my family alive.”

When asked what the favorite part of her job is, Lydia says that number one has to be interacting with her clients—both old and new. She enjoys getting to know people and learning about them as individuals. Known to her clients as the “Travel Therapist” she craves conversation and the feeling she gets when clients come back from a dream vacation with thanks and appreciation.

Lydia I. Villanueva-Soto, CTC President/Travel Consultant, TanTravel 964 S. Oak Park Ave. Oak Park, IL 60304 708-386-6363 • www.TanTrvl.com

Career opportunities at www.riveredgehospital.com

Your Door to the World!

• • • • •

Vacation Packages Domestic & International Vacations Cruises Destination Weddings Honeymoons

Find us on OakPark.com or at TanTrvl.com Follow us on: Facebook

Twitter

708.386.6363 email: lydia@tantrvl.com

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October 28, 2015

Special Advertising Section

Women In Business

Our team of brokers is committed to your success!

Erica Cuneen

Karen Baldwin

Richard Holland

Stacy Cortez

Joelle Venzara

Denise Espinosa

Vicki May

Cynthia Howe Gajeweski

Ruby Blair

Mary Pumphrey

Phil Joseph

Cheryl Runge

Buying and selling a home can be an enjoyable experience when you partner with a company that will go beyond for you.

Beyond Properties Realty Group 708.386.1366 • 109 N. Marion St., Oak Park

Contact Erica Cuneen, Managing Broker, Owner • 708.220.2025 erica@beyondpropertiesrealty.com • www.beyondpropertiesrealty.com

Women In Business

Real estate & beyond with Erica Cuneen

D

rawing from a varied wealth of experience, Erica Cuneen brings a unique approach to her work. Whether it is drawing upon past experiences: volunteering in the Peace Corps, teaching deaf children and bilingual (Spanish) students, playing roller derby, owning and running other successful businesses; or current endeavors: investing in real estate, and parenting teenagers, Erica always strives to go beyond expectations. It is that goal—to go beyond—that is the vision and force behind Erica’s real estate company, Beyond Properties.

Working with the highest standards of professionalism, service and integrity, Erica thrives not only on helping families find their next home, but also on mentoring brokers in her office; growing them from good to great.

Helping others succeed is one of Erica’s deepest values. Her ability to assemble a winning team and to craft unique solutions for her clients despite market conditions, has lead to the exponential growth of her business.

Erica has become especially known as an expert resource for real estate investors, advising both experienced professionals and newcomers alike. She is the founder and facilitator for an Oak Park area real estate investment group that meets monthly. This group is open to the public and offers valuable educational and networking opportunities.

In the October 2015 issue of Chicago Magazine, Erica was named for the 5th year among the Chicago Five Star Real Estate Agents. This select Erica Cuneen group of professionals, accounting for less than 2% of the total number of Chicagoland real estate agents, was chosen for the outstanding quality of their service and their high levels of customer satisfaction.

Erica is proud that Beyond Properties is a leader in environmental sustainability. The office is also recognized locally and statewide as a Certified Green Business with Oak Park’s Growing Green Program and the Illinois Green Business Association. Erica and Beyond Properties stand out as one of the very few independent, woman-owned, and locallyowned brokerages in the area.

To find out how Erica Cuneen and her team can assist you in reaching your real estate needs and goals, please contact her at 708.220.2025 or Erica@beyondpropertiesrealty.com

Joelle Venzera brings experience & enthusiam to Beyond Properties

J

oelle Venzera’s love of real estate began when she was still in high school, working part-time for a local real estate office on weekends and in the summer. After leaving for college and graduating with a Degree in Marketing, her career evolved into creating specialized computer programs for companies. Then she started her family and her focus changed again to raising her three children.

All the while, Joelle never stopped loving real estate. She continued visiting open houses and watching the market. It was in the spring of 2013, that her perfect opportunity came along and she took the position of office manager at Beyond Properties Realty.

Suddenly she was back in the thick of it, and she remembered how much she loved the energy and excitement of buying and selling real estate. It wasn’t long before she decided to get her Illinois Real Estate License and become a Broker.

Joelle is a vital part of the Erica Cuneen Team at Beyond Properties where her prima-

October 28, 2015 B11

Special Advertising Section

ry responsibility is assisting buyers in finding homes. Working with Erica, Joelle rounds out the team with the perfect blend of experience and enthusiasm. Their clients know that will Joelle Venzara the Erica Cuneen Team, they have the advantage of multiple perspectives and the security of knowing that they get the whole team working on their behalf.

Whether it’s a forever home or a house to “fix and flip,” Joelle is there to help her buyers examine all the possibilities and find that “perfect fit.” Joelle can be reached at Beyond Properties Realty, 109 N. Marion St., Oak Park, 708.297.1879.

Maximize your real estate potential!

I

n real estate finding the best outcome for your client often begins by seeing hidden potential. Cynthia Howe Gajewski is a Realtor whose experience in home renovation and restoration makes her a valuable resource to homeowners and buyers. Also an accomplished photographer, Cynthia is a woman with vision who loves to find the opportunities in homes that others may have missed.

Cynthia traces her interest in real estate back to her childhood when she was fascinated by the grandeur of her grandparent’s Italianate Victorian farmhouse. “I admire the character and charm of older homes,” she says, “especially the variety of homes in our Oak Park and River Forest neighborhoods.” Cynthia particularly enjoys seeing older spaces reinvented to fit the needs of modern living.

Matchmaking buyers with the right property is a challenge that Cynthia relishes. “It is so satisfying to see that chemistry happen,” she says, “I tell my buyers that buying a home is an emotional experience with practical considerations. A house can have everything on your wish list, but if you don’t get that ‘yes’ feeling, then the list doesn’t matter. You can’t make yourself fall in love.”

Twenty years as a professional photographer gives Cynthia the added edge in presenting and marketing seller’s homes in today’s market. She is always ready to

help sellers prepare, stage, and showcase their property to bring in the most buyers.

“I absolutely love,” she says, “working with sellers who are motivated to get top Cynthia Howe Gajewski dollar for their properties.” When sellers are willing to put in the extra bit of effort it can yield big returns. Cynthia will create for them a targeted room by room action plan that will show off the home’s fullest potential, with the goal of bringing in the highest offers.

Cynthia stresses that her personal experience with home ownership and renovation are among the most important assets that she brings to her clients. “I’ve been down that renovation road a few times,” she says, “I know my market, and I know what improvements and upgrades really matter.”

If you are looking to buy or sell your home, contact Cynthia Howe Gajewski at Beyond Properties Realty, 312-933-8440 or cynthia@beyondpropertiesrealty.com for a free consultation.

Vicki May offers expertise and guidance for RE investors

V

icki May loves property! For years she would pass by houses, apartment buildings and storefronts, and think of ways to upgrade properties for appearance and function. It seemed only natural then that she would go into the real estate investment business. Twelve years and three apartment buildings later, Vicki joined Beyond Properties Realty as a property manager.

Since she already had her own money invested in residential property, Vicki approaches property management with a deep understanding of the demands required to properly manage repairs, maintenance and remodeling projects. Her own experience has helped her connect with her clients and understand their needs for effective and efficient property management. “My own investments,” she maintains, “have taught me the art of setting rents, managing costs, and getting higher yields. I understand the challenges of dealing with tenants. If I can help a property owner be more profitable, that’s a good day’s work.”

Vicki reports that right now the rental market is strong. People have lost their jobs and many have lost their homes. That leaves more people renting and more homes available to

rent. As the economy improves more families may choose to purchase instead of renting.

Yet, Vicki does not see homeownership levels returning to where they were in the early Vicki May 2000’s. “Over and over, former homeowners tell me that they are through with ownership,” she says, “I believe the market will stabilize at a more appropriate mix of buyers and renters.”

Vicki May really feels that she has found a home as a property manager at Beyond Properties. “My goal is to continue building my property management clientele,” she says, “I don’t ever want to stop making properties better and filling them with great tenants!”

If you’re thinking about going into residential investment, are looking for management of a property you currently own, or just need to get an apartment or home rented, contact Vicki at 708-714-0686 or vicki@beyondpropertiesrealty.com.

B12

October 28, 2015

Women In Business

Special Advertising Section

College Planning Done Right!

Dear Parent, I have always been fiercely independent and ambitious, even as a young girl. My parents owned a restaurant and I wanted to have something of my own one day. Sometimes though, no matter how hard we plan, life interrupts and we end up on a different path – hopefully even a better road than originally planned.

I wanted to be a doctor. Yet I had no idea my parents had not planned on sending me to college because I was a girl! My heart broke. After all, they encouraged me – even expected me to be a top student. I couldn’t comprehend why I was made to study hard, get A’s and not expect to go to college.

Perhaps I didn’t understand their financial responsibilities. I have three brothers and maybe they only had enough to send them to college. I left home at seventeen to live with my aunt in Chicago and – work. I didn’t know about scholarships and student loans for emancipated students. I could probably have received a free ride to a top school, but didn’t know any of that and neither did my family.

After I married, I went to University of Illinois at Chicago. Toward the end of my

first year I got pregnant and never went back. Later I went to Triton Community College to complete my Associate’s degree, but life occurred and I had to start working again. All of sudden I was on my own raising two young girls as a single mom. I became a voracious reader to educate myself and make up for all that I didn’t get in college.

at all. That has been a great foundation to stand on. It’s also the birthing of my desire to help every client create a personal wealth solution. It has to be personal because we all come from such varied background and resource levels. My firm provides personal attention to each client to understand if a College Funding Plan or Retirement Plan is needed.

When it came time to put our first child through college, my level of ignorance about college funding was high. My daughter had to borrow the maximum allowed for students. Nonetheless, we are blessed that she finished in four years with a great job offer before she even graduated.

How ironic after all my college starts and stops, I now help people go to college very cost-effectively. I discovered college planning when a client needed college funding help. Unfortunately, he had to find a college planner because my practice was focused on estate, insurance and retirement planning. He came back about a year later to encourage me to learn what his college planner helped him to do. And so my study began. Studying everything I could about college planning, I was shocked to learn that the financial services industry “education” actually exposed my clients to higher college costs. I called clients to re-educate them and get each of them on a better financial footing. As a result, those families are more financially secure today for their own retirement, with significantly lower college costs!

I probably have the equivalent of a master’s degree by now – although not formally. Being self-taught has its advantages. I learned applicably focused information and saved a bundle of money. One day I found a list of successful people who didn’t attend college and I realized I was in good company. If you look at my practice today, many of my clients have multiple degrees.

So while my family couldn’t help me get a college degree, my Dad instilled in me the practice of doing things right – or not

While it’s great to help you pay less for college, equally important is helping your student identify best-fit careers, correct majors and the right college to attend. It’s unnecessary to have a student on the wrong campus in the wrong career path. Plus, it’s emotionally expensive. Today I am proud of the academic tools we offer to students and the funding solutions we provide to parents. If you have children, I hope you give us the opportunity to offer college planning as a service to you. There are big wins available. After all, a lower college cost means more money in your own retirement plan. Helping families’ plan for a sound financial future is my passion, and I am honored to be able to get the message out and do what I love.

Chris Everett President, Everett Wealth Solutions, Inc.

407 Marengo, Forest Park, Illinois 60130 • 708.771.7777 • www.everettwealthsolutions.com

Women In Business

October 28, 2015 B13

Special Advertising Section

Building a better smile at Oak Park Prosthodontics

W

hat’s a prosthodontist? It’s a question that Dr. Anne Fabricius, owner of Oak Park Prosthodontics, often gets. With her characteristic smile, she will enthusiastically explain that a prosthodontist is a dentist with three additional years of training in restorative dentistry. They are experts in cosmetics, crowns, implants, bridges, dentures, and the management of complex dental problems. Currently there are only four women in Illinois that are board-certified in prosthodontics. Dr. Anne Fabricius is one of them, and the only one in private practice.

A graduate of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Fabricius established Oak Park Prosthodontics in 2013. She offers general dentistry services, such as cleanings; as well as specialty services in the repair and replacement of teeth. In addition to her practice, she also teaches the complete denture course at University of Illinios at Chicago.

Why Prosthodontics? “I love problem solving,” Fabricius says, “I enjoy providing patients with unique solutions to solve a variety of dental problems.” Fabricius also enjoys the challenge and artistry of restoring teeth back to natural beauty. In this sense, prosthodontics is a field that combines medicine, science, and artistry.

Fabricius credits major advances in technology, including new dental materials and computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) with greatly improving patient care. While incorporating these advances in to her practice, she is particularly enthused about Computer Guided Dental Implant Surgery.

A dental implant is a titanium post that replaces the root of a tooth that has been lost. A tooth, multiple teeth, or dentures can be attached to a dental implant. A threedimensional model of a patient is generated by computer and used to plan the locations of dental implants within the jawbone. A template is custom made for the patient and used during surgery to guide the dental implants into the exact locations that were planned on the digital model.

Implant surgery using a custom template can often be completed in less than an hour, and is most often performed with just local anesthetic. Most patients experience little or no discomfort after implant surgery.

There are significant benefits of computer guided surgery: • Reduced surgical risk. Because the implants have been planned digitally, the risk of damage to nerves and other teeth is greatly reduced.

• Improved long-term outcomes. When

The Oak Park Prosthodontics staff (from left to right): Dr. Anne Fabricius, Perla, Kathy, Rocio, MaryLou, Pat, Dr. Betsy Samore

implants are placed in the ideal location, the teeth that are attached to the implants will last longer.

• Fewer surgical procedures. Because dental implants can be guided into tight spaces, the need for bone grafting and other surgical procedures is often eliminated.

• Reduced surgical time. Because the implants have been planned digitally, the surgical time is greatly reduced. Complex surgeries can be performed in under an hour.

• Less pain. Because the surgery is performed faster, there is less post-operative discomfort and pain.

If you are considering getting implants or any type of cosmetic dentistry, or you are just looking for a new dentist for routine care, call Dr. Anne Fabricius. Her office, Oak Park Prosthodontics, is located at 185 N. Marion Street in Downtown Oak Park. Visit the website at OakParkImplants.com or call 708-386-0177.

dr. fabricius is one of only 23 board-certified specialists in crowns, implants, and dentures in illinois Dr. FabriCius is one oF only 23 boarD-CertiFieD speCialists in Crowns, implants, anD Dentures in illinois.

“Dr. Anne is amazing. I was “Dr. Anne is amazing. I was in inaaterrible terrible situation situation wherewhere my front six teeth were crowned my front six teeth were incorrectly...she is doing an crowned incorrectly...she amazing job fixng my problem.”

Education: northwestern university, ba, biological sciences, cum laude Harvard School of dental Medicine, Doctor of Dental medicine university of illinois at chicago Certificate in prosthodontics acadEMic PoSitionS: clinical assistant Professor, university of illinois at Chicago complete denture course MEMbErSHiPS: Fellow of the american College of prosthodontics, Diplomate of the american board of prosthodontics, member of the american Dental association

- Anne V. job is doing an amazing

fixing my problem.”

Anne V.

Free Consultations - FinanCing available

anne m. Fabricius DmD, FaCp, board-Certified prosthodontist

__________________________

185 n. marion street, oak park, il | oakparkimplants.com

708-386-0177

B14

October 28, 2015

Women In Business

Special Advertising Section

Athena Green Williams, Expanding Her Horizons

A

thena Green Williams is a native west side resident and community activist.

Although she works as a consultant for several non-profit entities, she founded Performing Community Solutions, in 2010, and is aggressively working to expand its services.

The mission of Performing Community Solutions, is to improve, empower and educate community residents on access to healthy living. Through continuing education, she promotes integration and collaborative services with public and private business partnerships. The attraction to her industry was the opportunity to provide a service to others in need.

Ms. Green Williams has suc c e ssfully executed planning and implementing multiple events for Chicago west side residents. Her accomplishments include coordinating a farmers market in the Lawndale community, the first 5k community walk for health, financial literacy programs in mul-

tiple Chicago Public Schools, and a forum to increase awareness about the Health Care Reform Act; amongst many major community forums she has organized and implemented.

Ms. Green Williams, a member of The Leader’s Network, and former member of the Westside Minister’s Coalition, has developed many major Academic and Institutional partnerships. A former government employee, Athena is currently expanding her horizons into the for profit entrepreneurship arena; STAY TUNED. Ms. Green Williams is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison. She’s currently pursuing her master’s degree. She is a widow and single parent.

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Women In Business

October 28, 2015 B15

Special Advertising Section

Building a business one brick at a time

L

ori Hannigan remembers the time she built her first chimney after being hired

by Edward Cross & Son, Inc. in Oak Park. Mr. Cross put her in his garage on a rainy day, mixed mortar and laid out a pattern for a chimney. He started the structure, handed the trowel and bucket of mortar to Lori, said it was all hers and left. She wanted to insure she did the best work possible and therefore decided to start the structure over.

When Mr. Cross returned two hours later, he was impressed to find a chimney about eight courses tall that was both exactly plumb, or aligned, and level.

Edward Cross & Son, Inc. has been in business since 1937. After years of dedicated, quality work, Lori became the owner in 1987.

She continues to strive for perfection in all her projects and does not expect her staff to complete any task she herself cannot do.

Whether it is setting up a forty foot ladder or pulling up a heavy bucket of mortar to the roof of a house, Lori shows her employees she is not just the boss, but a determined laborer and tuckpointer. Consequently, she is proud to have made a name for herself in a male dominated industry.

Lori specializes in chimney rebuilding and masonry repairs. With her attention to detail, Lori and her team use their skills as

artists to rebuild and repair old structures to their former glory. She has even worked on many Frank Lloyd Wright homes.

The project with the biggest challenge, but Lori Hannigan that resulted in the biggest success, was rebuilding the large chimney on the Adams Home at 710 Augusta in Oak Park. It involved a large scaffolding system, cleaning all the bricks, and restoring the chimney to the exact same design in order to satisfy the Frank Lloyd Wright Historical Board.

Lori helps clients understand the standards of the industry so they know what to expect from contractors in the future. She even teaches her customers about what caused the problems that are being fixed. These qualities truly make Edward Cross & Sons, Inc. a unique business.

Lori Hannigan 518 N. Lombard Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302

708-848-8631 • Tuckpointing • Building Cleaning • Window Caulking • Chimney Repairs • Fully Insured

Dawn Ferencak, building strong bonds of trust

D

awn Ferencak helps her clients make their businesses grow beyond their expectations by truly understanding their needs. She has been with Wednesday Journal Publications for 10 years now and still has the same passion for empowering the community as she did when she started.

“At first, when I inherited the West Side territory in 2010, I was pretty nervous,” she describes, “but then realized that the best way was to jump in full force. My first week on the job, there was an invitation to a bus tour of hair salons in Austin and I called and asked if my son — who was eight at the time — could come along with me. So we both ended up going and found the people on the bus were so welcoming and engaging. I knew then that the way to connect with the community was for people to know me and trust me.”

Much more than a 9 to 5 job, her work is a way of life. Dawn is passionate about serving her clients. She knows how important it is to learn their background; why they started their business; what their goals are; what their challenges are; and what drives them to succeed. This uniquely personal approach builds strong bonds of trust. Her clients know that she always has their best interests in mind and as a result they truly consider her a partner with them in their success. Dawn

says that she believes in bringing the best skills, research and products to the table every time she has a chance to help a client.

Through her community outreach, Dawn saw the need to offer more support to the West Side community. In 2011, she successfully advocated for this and the Austin Weekly News expanded its coverage to include the entire West Side of Chicago.

In 2012 Dawn founded the West Side Business Network and its subgroups, including the Austin Weekly News Business Development Luncheon Group, West Side Women, West Side Men and West Side Bridge, all with the goal of bringing professionals from Chicago’s West Side together with those from Oak Park and nearby suburbs to network, grow and discuss challenges. With anywhere from 35 to 100 attendees per meeting, Dawn has successfully sewn another thread across the communities she dearly loves.

Make Connections and Grow Your Business Today Your Partner in Success Dawn Ferencak

Local Advertising Consultant Associate Publisher of the Austin Weekly News Sales Manager - Wednesday Journal Publications

(708) 613-3329 dawn@oakpark.com Illinois Press Association Sales Representative of the Year 2011 & 2013

B16

October 28, 2015

Women In Business

Special Advertising Section

Delivering happiness with fruit in Oak Park

E

dible Arrangements, the leader in fresh fruit bouquets and chocolate dipped fruit, creates an array of treats to celebrate customers’ special occasions such as birthdays, thank you, and get well’s.

These orders are then hand-delivered to a delighted recipient. “I love seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they receive their arrangements.” Linda Ekendahl, the owner of Oak Park’s own Edible Arrangements, said.

“I never get sick of the crowd that can gather around a lucky recipient at an office setting.”

Linda Ekendahl first visited Chicago in 1997 as a UCONN cheerleader during the Women’s NCAA March Madness event. “I just remember falling in love with the city… and falling in love with the people,” She said. This love of the city and the people helped her decide to open the first Edible Arrangements, a Connecticut based franchise, in Illinois. The Elmhurst based store was the first Edible Arrangements opened in Illinois.

After a decade in Elmhurst, Ekendahl expanded her business by purchasing the existing Edible Arrangements on 327 South Blvd in Oak Park. “It was an area I have always been attracted to because of its urban and hip vibe,” Ekendahl said during

her one year anniversary at the new location. “Our goal for this upcoming year is to be more involved in the community as we are in Elmhurst”.

Linda Ekendahl credits her success at Edible Arrangements to her marketing efforts and the business’ excellent customer service. “I believe in building lasting relationships with my customers”, Ekendahl said. “My employees do their best to listen to customer needs and make recommendations specific to the occasion which they are shopping for.” Ekendahl plans to continue this technique and to grow her business within the Oak Park community in the years ahead.

Linda Ekendahl

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