Not Every Problem Has a Villain
Businesses close for reasons usually related to profitability. While tempting to assign blame or to suggest mismanagement, cost structure is often the “villain.”
Protection Requires Preparation
Three good friends ended up in the hospital this weekend. All unrelated, all unexpected. All crazy scary. All keen reminders that life can go awry at any moment. Are you prepared? Can you put your finger on critical information, when needed? Do you have the right contact numbers stored in your phone? Do you have…
Smaller than Small
Tiny micro-small independent businesses often are too small to benefit from “pro-business” policies and programs. These businesses add community character even if they aren’t economic engines.
“Nobody Told Me” in the Age of Information
Disseminating information to business owners is a key function of the Chamber of Commerce
Valkyries Come For Our Fallen Hero
Val Camilletti deserves all the good said about her in the wake of her passing last week. She was a tremendous person for her kindness as much as her influence and knowledge. I can only add my own admiration to what already has been said. So let’s talk about Val’s Halla instead. This “little” record…
Local Economies Should Make the Short List
A consultant listed four of the most pressing issues in our community: education, housing, food security and transportation. Because people do not have equitable access to these four intrinsic needs, he said, people’s access to livelihood, opportunity and quality of life are threatened. Yet missing from this list of top things we were to care…
Are You Strong Enough?
To those of you who read follow me weekly, here’s the latest update following last week: my sister’s husband is recovering from his medical emergency and on route from Iowa to his home in New Jersey. For those just glancing at this today, let me give you the short version. My brother-in-law had a medical…
Renewing Our Point of View
My favorite part of reality tv show “Project Runway” is Tim Gunn’s exhortations to budding designers that they find their “point of view.” One fashion designer might believe the world needs more beauty. Another’s perspective could be there should be no gender differences. Designers refine and communicate their individual points of view throughout the series…
Developing a Bigger Pie
“That caye is a private island. Norwegian Cruise Lines purchased it to create their own exclusive port for their cruise ship passengers,” our tour guide said with contempt. It seems Belize wrestles with many of the same development debates I was hoping to escape for a few days as my family vacationed in this beautiful…
Your Passion Defines Your Path
My son graduated from culinary school this weekend in a lovely ceremony celebrating the hard work, internships and learning required to earn the title “Chef.” We are very proud and excited to follow his future career choices in this wide-open, in-demand field. With opportunities that range from restaurant to corporate to small business to health…
Oak Park - River Forest Chamber of Commerce 