Stories

My Story I started as a Project Manager for the railroad. Then I decided to expand and go into business for myself full-time. Our business preserves vacant properties for municipalities and banks. This includes landscaping, snow removal, tree removal, and whatever it takes to keep the properties in decent condition. Partnership with Builders Avenue Builders…

My Story I co-own First Priority Heating and Cooling with my husband, Tim, a business he started 20 years ago that I joined in 2018. With my background in real estate and mortgage processing, I brought strategic insights to the company. I restructured the business to become a woman-owned minority enterprise, transforming our approach and…

My Story For over 20 years, I worked alongside my father in his temperature control business, managing payroll, HR, and project management. What started as family support gradually transformed into a passion for helping small businesses navigate complex administrative challenges. As my father’s business contacts began seeking my expertise in certifications and back-office support, I…

Small businesses are the backbone of our community, driving innovation, creating jobs, and enriching the local economy. Cook County Source is here to ensure these businesses have the tools, guidance, and opportunities they need to succeed and thrive. What Cook County Source Offers Cook County Source is committed to empowering entrepreneurs by providing: Free One-on-One…

My Story My name is Kelly Love, and I’m a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and founder of LBL Financial Services. My journey began in engineering, but my passion for entrepreneurship and helping small businesses thrive led me to the financial services industry. Throughout my career, I’ve learned how vital it is for business owners to…

My Story Growing up, I never imagined I’d own a construction management company. My journey began at Home Depot, where I learned DIY skills and took every training class available. While working there, I was also investing in real estate and developing a passion for construction. My real turning point came through community development work…

Our Story I’m Roxanna Daniel, and together with Christina Atkins, we lead Taj Development, a company that’s all about resilience and entrepreneurship in the construction industry. We started our journey in 2009 in Chicago, focusing on general contracting and finishing work. With over 45 years of experience, I’ve seen a lot, and as a Black…

My Story I began my career playing for the NFL. As I wrapped up that chapter of my life, I needed a pivot. I was a high school football coach for 9 years before I started getting the itch to be an entrepreneur. I had always enjoyed being around construction—I admire carpenters’ craft, my skillset…

My Story I’ve been cleaning since I was in college. In 2012 I needed to create myself a full time job. I learned about post-construction cleaning services and started my business. I have three degrees, but I am still learning about running and growing my business. Partnership with Builders Avenue Builders Avenue partnered me with…