Chicago Woman January 2016 Issue

JANUARY 2016 www.fw-chicago.com

FINDING

i r r o D

DORRI McWHORTER CHARTS A NEW COURSE FOR YWCA METROPOLITAN CHICAGO

FOODS TO BOOST YOUR MOOD THE PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS IN 2016 ACTIVE WEAR GOES LUXE THE YEAR OF FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT STARTS NOW

from the publisher

g n i g r fo y a w e h t

2016 is sure to bring exciting things for all of the women who are out there making things happen. As this past year has shown us here at FW: Chicago—alot of hard work and perseverance can take you a long way—and we do it with the help and support of other amazing women.

Last year Forbes named Chicago the top city in the world— not the country, the world!—for female entrepreneurs.

Given all of the phenomenal women we met and had the pleasure of working with last year, We certainly know Chicago is a hot bed for empowered women finding their paths, forging the way, and setting the bar. A few months ago in a conversation with our newest columnist, Kathleen Henson, we discussed how this city is so important in the development and empowerment of women professionally. Chicago has a history of being a forwardthinking Midwestern city—especially on the women’s front, from Women’s Suffrage to the 1960s feminist movement. It only makes sense that we as Chicago women continue to collectively be an example for women everywhere. You do not need to be behind a hot tech start-up or a Fortune 500 executive to be a mentor, to be a catalyst, to make an impact, to empower other women—it happens with our day-to-day actions.

I have the opportunity do it every day—with the FW: Chicago team—as we bring you this unique and uniquely Chicago magazine. While I am not one to make resolutions, I am resolved to start publishing monthly and continue to build this platform for Chicago women.

We have a lot of exciting things coming up this year!

i love print

Kendra Chaplin Publisher + Founder kendra@fw-chicago.com

You asked for it, and we delivered. Never miss an issue, subscribe monthly at fw-chicago.com/iloveprint

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JANUARY 2016

hey!

Never miss an issue!

Subscribe today to the print edition. $3.99 monthly subscription now available!

Order online at fw-chicago.com/ iloveprint

Where to find us!

Distributed gratis throughout the city.

You will find us at over 500 locations your local coffee shop, office building, mail room, and even the street corner boxes.

For a full list of locations, fw-chicago.com/findus

JANUARY 2016

Publisher + Founder

Kendra Chaplin kendra@fw-chicago.com

Managing Editor Rebecca Taras-Lee rebecca@fw-chicago.com

Editor, Print Jennifer Smith Tapp jennifer@fw-chicago.com

Editorial Interns Katherine Lee Hayden Willing intern@fw-chicago.com

Contributing Style Editors Brandon Frein

Arlene Matthews

style@fw-chicago.com

Design Director Travis Rothe travis@fw-chicago.com Digital + Social Media Manager Molly Koeneman molly@fw-chicago.com

Director of Partnerships Liz Bonofiglio Reaney liz@fw-chicago.com

Business Development Andrea Markewych andrea@fw-chicago.com Tanna Sparks tanna@fw-chicago.com

Account Executive Kiah Harpool kiah@fw-chicago.com main office 806 West Washington Boulevard, Suite 204 Chicago, Illinois 60607 hello@fw-chicago.com | 312-957-4937 advertising 312-957-4936 | sales@fw-chicago.com pr + media For all PR pitches and related inquiries, email pitch@fw-chicago.com. editorial submissions fw-chicago.com/editorial-submissions social life submissions fw-chicago.com/social-life event postings fw-chicago.com/events/submit.html Copyright 2016 FW Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.

FW: Chicago is published by FW Publishing LLC. Materials may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of FW: Chicago. www.fw-chicago.com

JANUARY 2016

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from the editor

s n o i t a r i p s n i I’ve never been one to burden the month of January with a long list of resolutions that will have fallen completely by the wayside come Valentine’s Day. Making one change that is manageable—like last year’s “drink more water”— affords a more easily attainable sense of accomplishment.

Accomplishment comes to mind when I think of the Dorri McWhorter, the CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. In this month’s cover story, McWhorter talks about the important work her organization does on behalf of women in our community and how she always had a desire to help others.

This year marks the 140th anniversary of the YWCA’s Chicago Chapters so we are thrilled to support what they have on tap for 2016.

The most inspiring story in this issue is Kaney O’Neill’s.

Terri Brax of Women Tech Founders (WTF) talks with her, the owner of O’Neill Contractors and a U.S. Navy veteran, about how she overcame the challenge of a disability and how technology has become integral to her business and life.

This issue also marks the beginning of what we are calling The Year of Financial Empowerment. We want to make 2016 the year women start thinking, talking, and learning about money. This month, DyMynd’s Carolyn Leonard and Monika Black open the series by defining key financial terms that can help us start the conversation and take control of our financial futures.

Finally, distance runner Diane Nukuri, who recently ran the Chicago marathon, stayed around to be featured in our fashion pages pairing luxe labels with an athleisure vibe— perfect for sticking to your fitness resolution in style.

January is a time to reset and set goals for the new year.

We hope you will continue to find the stories of the women on the pages of FW: Chicago inspiring throughout 2016 and beyond.

Jennifer Smith Tapp Editor jennifer@fw-chicago.com | @jevetapp

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

l a t men h t l a he

from the publisher

While I love the holiday season, I also look forward to hitting that reset button come January. It’s not necessarily because I believe in making dramatic New Year’s resolutions.

Rather, it’s the perfect time to embrace an optimistic outlook and set realistic goals for the next 12 months.

With that said, I encourage you to bookmark fw-chicago.com and make it a part of your daily inspiration in 2016.

Looking to leave corporate America and start a business of your own? Read about an entrepreneur who did just that. Struggling to figure out how to add balance into your life? Our weekly Soulful Sunday feature shares advice from Chicago’s busiest women on incorporating wellness while working. Wondering if there’s anything new to do in the city? Our robust events calendar will keep you busy all year long.

We’re also expanding our network to have a media presence at some of your favorite Chicago events, to include the ever-popular Randolph Street and Dose Markets. We love supportive partnerships (it’s a win-win!), so don’t hesitate to give us a shout if you would like to chat about any potential opportunities over a cup of coffee...or glass of wine.

In good health (mental and otherwise),

Rebecca Taras-Lee Managing Editor rebecca@fw-chicago.com

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

e v o l e share th

Snap a pic of our January issue and share on social media. Our editors will choose their favorite photo. Upload your photo to Instagram or Facebook and tag the image with #helloFW and #gboutique. Winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to g Boutique in Bucktown. Entries close 1/30/16.

For full contest details, please see www.fw-chicago.com/snapcontest

ABOUT G BOUTIQUE Powerfully feminine, sublimely sexy, divinely discreet...g Boutique is all this and more. Personal service, quality, and style make g Boutique everyone’s favorite for everyday bras, vibrators, sex toys, and special-occasion lingerie and corsetry. From Cosabella and Hanky Panky to European imports like Simone Perele, Aubade, and Ascension de Paris, the g girls are fit experts and have great taste. Parties, workshops, and special events led by our certified sex educators are a Chicago tradition. G Boutique, not just a boutique—it’s a way of life. 2131 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647 |

773-235-1234 | boutiqueg.com

IN THIS ISSUE UTIO RESOL

16

E N GUID

We’ve got you covered on whatever your resolution may be for 2016. Whether your goal is to get fit, get organized, or make strides in your savings and investments.

20 Lift Off HA OW TO GET BETTER BACKSIDE THIS YEAR

24

MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED

YWCA CEO Dorri McWhorter tells us how she is transforming the way the organization does business and empowers women.

28 Tech Conversations

Terri Brax talks to Kaney O’Neill about overcoming adversity and how she uses technology in her construction company.

Juxtapose

24

Luxe fashion meets athleisure wear.

Long-distance runner Diane Nukuri pulls it off flawlessly.

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LETTER FROM 4

THE PUBLISHER

LETTER FROM 6 THE EDITOR

LETTER FROM 8 THE EDITOR

9

CONTRIBUTORS

10 CALENDAR 12

TAKE NOTE

38

BEAUTY BOX

46 W HAT’S IN HER BAG?

Top trainer Lois Miller opens her gym bag and shares her must-haves.

SOCIAL SCENE 54

22 C ONQUERING THE

FINANCIAL FRONTIER

32

The year of financial empowerment begins now with Monika Black and Carolyn Leonard’s guide to financial basics.

T Kathleen HE MENTOR Henson of Henson Consulting lists

three qualities you need for professional success.

We asked 48 Sthree PLURGE Chicago women where they would break their resolution.

32 W HAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO

WITH IT? What every woman needs

to know about premarital agreements— from every angle.

35 P LAN FOR GROWTH IN THE

Craving 50 Constant Healthy twists on

NEW YEAR

Emilia DiMenco, CEO of the Women’s Business Development Center lays out a plan to help you grow your business in 2016.

classic comfort foods from local chefs.

OPE! 57 HDavid Robertson helps us find more positive moments in 2016, 120 seconds at a time.

contributors

s. Flynn

Terri Brax

Carolyn Leonard

s. Flynn is a freelance Chicago photographer whose work has recently appeared in Coilhouse Magazine, the Curated Show of the Annual Pilsen Artists Open Houses, and the Oakland Museum of California. Frequent motivations in her work are beauty, form, minimalism, movement, performance, fashion, and storytelling faces. Flynn photographed the fashion story, “Get Moving,” featuring distance runner Diane Nukuri, for this issue.

Terri Brax is the CEO and Cofounder of Women Tech Founders (WTF) and TeacherCare, Inc. She is a Social Impact Entrepreneur who connects people, organizations and ideas. Terri has extensive experience advising women in tech and education. She believes that improving technology and education improves lives and business.

Brax interviewed Kaney O’Neill, owner of O’Neill Construction,for this issue.

Carolyn Leonard is the Co-founder of DyMynd, and financial contributor with Monika Black as strategy anaylst at DyMynd­­—a company that helps financial institutions build meaningful relationships with their female clients. A more complete list of financial terms will be available at fw-chicago.com/conqueringthefinancialfrontier. Learn more about DyMynd at dymynd.com.

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r u o y k mar r a d n e cal JANUARY 13

Professional Women’s Club of Chicago January Luncheon: Be the Architect for Your Life

Join the Professional Women’s Club of Chicago for their January Luncheon featuring Tracy Butz, owner of Think Impact Solutions and author of several books. As the keynote speaker, she will give attendees some tools they can use to be both happy and successful in their professional and personal lives. She’ll also provide encouragement on pursuing a career that aligns with your passions and offer advice on how to get there.

Tickets are $55.

Union League Club of Chicago, 65 West Jackson Boulevard. For more information, pwcc.org

JANUARY 16

Another Word for Beauty A stirring new music-filled work by Academy Award nominee José Rivera (The Motorcycle Diaries) and Grammy winner Héctor Buitrago. Each year the female inmates at a Bogotá, Colombia, prison compete in a beauty pageant intended by their jailers to motivate and rehabilitate them.

While the pageant’s parade of glamorous gowns, exotic headdresses, and rhythmic dances provides a distraction from daily suffering, its real impact on each woman is more than skin deep. Inspired by true events, Another Word for Beauty is a haunting and soulful examination of women trapped within a prison’s walls and the events and circumstances that led to their arrests.

Aon Center, 200 East Randolph Street.

For more information, foundation.luriechildrens.org

JANUARY 18

JANUARY 19

JANUARY 20

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Family Event at The Art Institute

Annual Economic Outlook

Empowering Through Leadership

Looking for something to do with the kids on Martin Luther King Jr. Day? The Art Institute will be hosting a free family-friendly event with plenty of activities to keep the little ones busy. Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and visit a drop-in, explore the museum, or participate in the art-making program and work as a family to create an image of someone who inspires you to be a hero.

Ryan Education Center, 111 South Michigan Avenue.

For more information, www.artic.edu

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Gain insights into the global economy and staying ahead of the curve in 2016 from a highly respected global investment advisor; an award-winning economic forecaster and one of the most influential women in business; a former Chief Economist to the U.S. Congress; and a nationally renowned expert on personal finance, markets, and the economy. Moderated by Tribune columnist Terry Savage, with insights from business leaders: Diane Swonk of Mesirow Financial, Dr. Bob Froehlich of American Realty Capital and Kane County Cougars, and Brian Wesbury of First Trust Advisors L.P. Non-member tickets are $150. Starts at 11:00 a.m.

Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 East Wacker Drive.

For more information, executivesclub.org

The Women’s Bar Association of Illinois and the Chicago Area Chapter of The National Association of Women Business Owners are hosting a conversation about women, leadership, and empowerment, along with Kirkland & Ellis and The Richard Linn American Inn of Court. Hosted by Kirkland & Ellis from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Kirkland & Ellis, 300 North LaSalle.

For more information, wbaillinois.org.

Zoe Leonard. The Fae Richards Photo Archive, 1993–96. Installation view, Whitney Biennial 1997. Photo by Geoffrey Clements. © Zoe Leonard. Courtesy the artist; Galerie Gisela Capitain, Cologne; and Hauser & Wirth, New York.

JANUARY 23

Nothing Personal: Zoe Leonard, Cindy Sherman, Lorna Simpson The work of three American female artists comes together in the Modern Wing’s Bucksbaum Gallery for this ironically titled, focused show exploring the personal and all that it encompasses—personality, personhood, and what it means to be, or not be, able to be your own person. Single photographs by Cindy Sherman from the late 1970s, a major photographic installation from the mid-1990s by Zoe Leonard, and a video work by Lorna Simpson from the early 2000s speak to one another across the decades.

Art Institute of Chicago, Gallery 188, 111 South Michigan Avenue. For more information, artic.edu/exhibitions

JANUARY 24–26

JANUARY 26, 2016

JANUARY 21

STYLEMAX

Managing Across the Generations

ISIS, Refugees, and Women Abroad and at Home

Come check out the leading women’s apparel and accessory trade show at the Merchandise Mart. This show includes a wide array of unique exhibitors showing pieces in categories such as Contemporary, Bridge, Better, Accessories, and more. Programs during the threeday event include a complimentary lunch and beverages, cocktail parties, and informative seminars.

The Executives’ Club of Chicago welcomes Bob Wendover, author of “Crossing the Generational Divide: Essential Skills for Managing the Modern Workforce” and “On Cloud Nine: Weathering the Challenge of Many Generations in the Workplace.”

Wendover will discuss the challenges of our multigenerational workforce and how leaders can leverage the generations for success. Non-member tickets are $79.

The USNC-UN Women Chicago Chapter hosts a panel discussion around ISIS, the Syrian refugee crisis, the unique obstacles faced by female refugees, and how legislative policy is affecting these issues. Panel begins at 6:30 p.m., reception following.

Merchandise Mart, 222 West Merchandise Mart Plaza. For more information, stylemaxonline.com

Mesirow Financial, 353 North Clark Street, James Tyree Auditorium.

For more information, executivesclub.org

Michael Laconte Gallery, 1046 West Fulton Market.

For more information, unwomen-usnc.org/chicago

JANUARY 26, 2016

JANUARY 27–FEBRUARY 14

JANUARY 31

Women’s Business Development Center Business Plan Critique Clinic

Chicago Children’s Theatre presents “Snowflake”

Annual Aon Step Up for Kids

Bring the whole family out to enjoy this heartwarming and entertaining hit performed by Gayle LaJoye. Snowflake is the tale of how one compassionate man takes seemingly useless and discarded objects and transforms them into hilarious treasures. A truly joyful display of the range of human kindness and innocence.

Tickets range from $10–39.

Get a great workout and help out a wonderful cause at the same time. The Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is holding its19th annual “Step Up” event to raise money for patients and their families. Climb 80 floors to the top of the Aon Building—one of Chicago’s tallest—while fundraising to benefit deserving Chicago children. Start training!

Are you a budding entrepreneur and looking for some professional feedback on your business plan?

The Women’s Business Development Center is offering a free workshop where you and fellow business owners can gain valuable insights and critiques on your written business plans. Registration is required.

Women’s Business Development Center, 8 South Michigan Avenue.

For more information, wbdc.org

The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 North Dearborn Street.

For more information, chicagochildrenstheatre.org

Aon Center, 200 East Randolph Street. For more information, foundation.luriechildrens.org

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e t o n e k ta HESHIMA KENYA FASHION CHALLENGE This past November, ten local fashion designers competed to make a garment out of scarves made by Heshima Kenya’s Maisha Collective. Benefitting Heshima Kenya’s efforts to protect young refugee youth in Nairobi, Kenya, the Fashion Challenge celebrates young refugee women. The winning look was created by Elda de la Rosa. Learn more at heshimakenya.org.

FOOD TO BOOST YOUR MOOD The dark days of winter can do a number on your state of mind. We enlisted the help of registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist Amari Thomsen for solutions to brighten our moods in ways that are tastier than sitting in front of a lightbox.

DARK CHOCOLATE

Amari Thomsen, MS, RD, writes about nutrition and fitness on her blog, Eat Chic Chicago. Learn more at eatchicchicago.com.

It’s no surprise that chocolate is a natural mood booster. Not only does it taste great, but the cocoa found in chocolate increases brain serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant in the body.

The small amount of caffeine in chocolate also provides a quick additional energy boost.

FATTY FISH The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish—like salmon, tuna, and sardines— are important for healthy brain function and associated with a lower risk of depression.

EGGS Eggs are a great source of B vitamins, which affect neurotransmitters that impact mood, and vitamin D, which can aid in decreasing depression. Eggs are also a great source of protein, providing the body with sustainable energy and helping stabilize spikes in blood-sugar levels, which may be the underlying cause of a bad mood. .

Have insights and ideas you want to share? Let us know by emailing editor@fw-chicago.com

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ALL NATURAL POUT Biba Lips is based in Chicago and owned by founder, Sapna Gandhi. It’s a 100% natural lip creme color housed in an opulent vintage ​ compact. Among its food-grade ingredients is the rare Kokum Butter, one of nature’s most balanced botanicals and sourced directly from India. Try Biba Lips in one of three colors. Available at bibacosmetics.com.

Say “YES” This Year Chicago native Shonda Rhimes is now one of America’s top television writers and producers. After Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and her recent success with legal drama How to Get Away with Murder, Rhimes has published a new book, “Year of Yes”. In the book, Rhimes talks about how saying “yes” to everything changed her life.

Kessara’s World Chicago-based Kessara Dhana’s Instagram account (@kessara) features stunning lifestyle, fashion, and travel photography. With more than 300,000 followers, Dhana offers a peek into a lifestyle that accentuates the beauty of clean, minimal design.

Vitamins Done Right Wonder if you are taking the correct dose of vitamins? Practicing North Shore doctors Romy Block and Arielle Levitan have just written a book, “The Vitamin Solution: Two Doctors Clear the Confusion about Vitamins and Your Health”, that informs readers on how to prevent taking vitamins at levels that are too high and how to avoid supplements that are not effective.

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RESOLUTION GUIDE

HEALTHFUL START It may be a cliché, but the new year is the best time to rethink new and easy ways to get healthy. It’s easy enough to resolve to lose those last few pounds or eat better, so we pulled together some of the best services and spots to help you succeed in your mission of a more healthful 2016.

STRESS LESS

We keep hearing about the benefits of meditation, but many of us are intimidated by the process of learning the proper techniques. Meditate Yoga and Meditation Center offers several classes, allowing you to take a deep dive into the proper way to meditate and clear your mind. Beginners who want to test the waters can bring a friend, hear a free 20-minute lecture, and participate in a guided meditation session offered on Saturday mornings. 4237 North Lincoln Avenue, 773-472-YOGA, meditatecenter.com.

STRONG WOMEN

Offering the only 30-minute, full-body, 1-on-1 workouts in Chicago, Hardpressed is a time-crunched woman’s best friend. Safer than Crossfit and focused on controlled weight lifting speeds, this program is set on busting the myth that weight training builds bulk. 219 West Chicago Avenue, Suite 500, 312-285-3385, hardpressed.com.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT Eating

People who explicitly make resolutions are

10 TIMES

more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t explicitly make resolutions.

Source: University of Scranton. Journal of Clinical Psychology

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healthy can be a struggle, especially when time is limited after a long work day. The new delivery app Radish is perfect for bridging the gap. We are pretty much on board with anything that can get fresh healthy meals to our door in 20 minutes. Once you download the app, you have seven items that you can mix and match to create your own meal. The fact that there are desserts seals the deal for us.

Available on the app store or at goradish.com. fw

RESOLUTION GUIDE

MONEY MATTERS Start the year with a clean slate and get your financial life in shape. While this means different things to different people. It’s all about setting a goal and achieving it. Or even multiple goals to reach an end.

Your financial well being is your personal business­­— literally. You should be treating it like it is. Here are a few tools that can help you reach your goals depending on what they are:

get on it

MANAGE YOUR CASH FLOW

Online tools can manage your money and cash flow just like a business. We suggest checking out mint.com and yodleemoneycenter.com.

THOUGHTS FROM THE PROS BUILD YOUR EXECUTIVE TEAM The way you handle your finances should be a lot like how a savvy CEO runs a successful company: by instituting a team of advisors and experts to help make the right decisions and impart growth. Well, guess what? You are the CEO of your financial life. Ensure growth and stability by building your team with a trusted financial advisor, accountant, attorney, and even key experts such as a life coach.

Jody Redmann, Financial Advisor Kingsview Asset Management | 312.920.7378 kingsview.com/author/jredmann/ Yelp: http://goo.gl/zMLI23

WHO’S GOT YOUR BACK Find a financial advisor, wealth manager, or even peer group that will help you set your financial strategy and goals. These people help you achieve your goals and create accountability. Your bank will have financial advisors for you to speak with; however, do your research and you also will find private wealth managers at investment firms. Check out www.wife.org for referrals and groups.

RETIREMENT

Take a close look at what you are saving for retirement—we’re going to take a guess and assume it’s not as much as you could be stashing. Remember that no one ever looks back and wishes they hadn’t saved so much for retirement.

There are any number of retirement calculators online which all vary slightly. Your best bet here is take this to your advisor and figure how much you can afford to invest in your future.

WRANGLE YOUR DEBT For some, debt is our biggest financial stressor—whether it is educational debt, credit cards, or other obligations.

We suggest checking out www.readyforzero.com, which will help you analyze your credit cards, payment options, budgeting, and more. fw

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RESOLUTION GUIDE A great way to start out the new year is to find a new hobby, skill, or other enrichment. We are all constantly growing and changing, but sometimes we get stuck in a rut or get so caught up in life that we forget about certain interests or aspirations— whether it’s learning a foreign language, mastering an art form, or adding a skill to your resume.

RESUME BUILDER

If adding a new job skill is on your list, then we recommend looking at local universities. Not only will they have continuing studies courses but they also will have options for students-at-large and taking regular college courses without earning credits. City Colleges of Chicago and other area community colleges also offer courses that may enhance your career, as well as arts and other leisurely pursuits.

LEARN + GROW ARTS + CRAFTS

47%

of resolutions are self Improvement or education related Source: University of Scranton. Journal of Clinical Psychology

i love print

When we do find those moments of peace and quiet, many of us turn to creative pursuits to relax. Mastering a skill such as knitting, pottery, or drawing can be hugely rewarding and fulfilling. In a city as big as Chicago there is no shortage of places to get your right brain moving. Some of our favorites are Lill Street, Hyde Park Art Center, Palette and Chisel and Evanston Art Center.

SPRECHEN SIE DEUTSCH?

Most of us took a foreign language courses in our teen years, but few of us have kept up the practice. There are several language and cultural schools to suit whatever interests you may have—German classes at Goethe Institute, Alliance Française for French, Instituto Cervantes of Chicago for Spanish.

Language Loop offers classes in languages such as Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Dutch, Vietnamese, and Farsi. Whatever your flavor, you can find it in Chicago!

You asked for it and we delivered. Never miss an issue, subscribe monthly at fw-chicago.com/iloveprint

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RESOLUTION GUIDE

GET ORGANIZED Everyone has a project lying in wait—whether its organizing your cupboards, closets, receipts, or the kids toys. Clearing out the clutter not only makes you more efficient but also brings a sense of calm knowing that things are in order—whatever those things may be.

CALL IN THE PROS

CHAOS TO ORDER Get organized with Chaos To Order, Chicagoland’s premiere organizing company since 1990. Our expert organizers will transform any area of your home or office. Or, purchase the new Be Organized Box ($49.95). You’ll receive tips, tools, and teaching for getting organized in 2016 from Monica Friel, expert organizer of Chaos To Order. www.chaostoorder.com | 847-825-8400

MISSION 2 ORGANIZE

PHOTO CREDIT: BIRKENHEUER PHOTOGRAPHY

Getting organized is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions.

Turning this noble goal into a reality is easier when following these three simple techniques suggested by the professional organizers at Mission 2 Organize: 1. Break It Down.

Co-founders Bahar Partow Complete one small & Schae Lewis, CPO space before you move on to the next one.

2. Keep Your Eye on the Prize. Continue to remind yourself why you want to get organized.

3. Ask for Help. Organizing by yourself can be a drag. Your helper can serve as an accountability partner to keep you on track to meet your goals. www.Mission2Organize.com | 773.830.4070

Bonnie Hillman Shay knows what it’s like to have boxes, cabinets, and drawers filled with printed photos that you have never done anything with or thousands of digital photos (and videos) on your phone, tablet, and computer. She knows just how to wrangle all of your photos in 2016.

FOR YOUR PRINTED PHOTOS: • Gather your printed photos in one place.

• Sort your photos chronologically or by theme.

• Edit your photo collection. Let go of poor quality photos. Focus on the real winners!

• Scan your edited photo collection so it is safe, secure, and shareable with others.

• Share your photos. How about creating a photo book of your scanned images?

FOR YOUR DIGITAL PHOTOS: • Centralize your photos and videos into one folder on your computer.

• Organize your photos with meaningful sub-folders.

Using year, month, and/or subject matter is helpful (e.g., 2015_07 Camping_Trip).

• Edit your photos periodically. Focus on quality not quantity.

• Back up your photo collection on a regular basis (monthly at a minimum).

• Share your photos. How about printing and framing a few photos? Enjoy your photos instead of being burdened by them. They can be so fun to play with! fw Bonnie Hillman Shay is a Certified Professional Photo Organizer based on the North Shore. She helps her clients curate their family photo (and movie) collections, so they are manageable, shareable, safe (backed up), and can be enjoyed now, as well as by future generations. For more information, visit www.MariposaCreativeSolutions.com.

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lift off

HOW TO GET A BETTER BACKSIDE THIS YEAR

Perhaps one of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions is the vow to get into better shape, whether that means to shed some serious pounds, tone up, or increase strength. If we’re talking trends, many Americans are now more aware of the appearance of their backside than ever before.

In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons published statistics showing an increase of 15 percent for buttock fat grafting (and a 98 percent increase in buttock augmentation with implants) in 2014 compared to 2013. While some women do desire more monumental changes, others are looking to simply shape deflated areas in order to fill out those jeans, yoga pants, or that LBD. Broadly speaking, the size of the buttocks is increased by adding volume. Fitness expert Stephanie Mansour can attest, one may shape the buttocks through targeted gluteus maximus strengthening exercises. However, if your time in the gym isn’t giving you the results you desire,

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then you may want to explore other solutions. Surgically, there are a two options: fat transfers and implants.

Fat transfer, also known as the “Brazilian Butt Lift,” involves liposuction of your problem areas and then carefully placing that fat into the buttocks for increased projection or roundness.

There are no foreign substances the incisions are tiny, and the recovery is much easier than with an implant.

Implants are a great alternative for women who do not have enough of their own fat to achieve their desired buttock

size and shape. The incision is well-hidden “between the cheeks.”

“I prefer a technique I learned in Brazil where the implant is placed inside the buttock muscle; this location limits implant flipping and the ability to feel the implant,” explains Dr. Dan Krochmal. “I often prefer to combine the two approaches— use an implant for volume and liposuction/fat grafting to sculpt the lower back and make the buttock more rounded, thus creating a flowing, sensual silhouette.”

If you’re not quite ready to take on full-blown surgery, start by incorporating fitness expert Stephanie Mansour’s top four most effective butt exercises. These steps will help you on the path to getting the derrière of your dreams—and, if the committed efforts don’t get your tush where you want it to be, you now know your options! fw

For more details on Stephanie’s moves, they are featured on her new workout DVD, “The 30-Minute Signature Slimdown”. For more information, visit stepitupwithsteph.com.

For more information on Buttock reshaping procedures, a consultation with Dr. Krochmal can be made by visiting www.maeplasticsurgery.com or calling 847-373-1680.

Do these exercises three times per week to get the booty of your life in no time!

1. LUNGE WITH A LEG LIFT START IN A LUNGE POSITION. STEP ONE FOOT FORWARD AND ONE FOOT BACK, FEET AS WIDE AS THE HIPS. SLOWLY BEND THE FRONT KNEE SO THAT THE KNEE IS JUST OVER THE ANKLE, AND LOWER THE BACK KNEE TOWARDS THE FLOOR. THEN, PRESS DOWN THROUGH THE FRONT FOOT’S HEEL AND STAND BACK UP, WHILE EXTENDING THE BACK LEG STRAIGHT BACK INTO A LEG LIFT. REPEAT THIS 10 TIMES PER LEG.

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2. LUNGE WITH A PULL THROUGH START IN SAME LUNGE POSITION. AFTER COMPLETING THE LUNGE, PULL THE BACK LEG FORWARD AND BRING THE KNEE UP TO THE CHEST, THEN STEP IT BACK TO THE STARTING POSITION. REPEAT THIS 10 TIMES PER LEG.

3. SIDE LUNGE WITH A SIDE RAISE STAND UP WITH THE FEET TOGETHER. STEP THE RIGHT FOOT TO THE RIGHT 3 TO 4 FEET, AND BEND THE RIGHT KNEE, KEEPING THE LEFT LEG STRAIGHT. LUNGE TOWARDS THE RIGHT, AND THEN DRILL THE RIGHT HEEL INTO THE GROUND TO PRESS BACK UP TO THE STARTING POSITION. FINALLY, EXTEND THE RIGHT LEG OUT TO THE RIGHT SIDE FOR A SIDE RAISE. REPEAT THIS 10 TIMES PER LEG.

4. WIDE LEG OPEN TOE SQUAT OPEN THE FEET A LITTLE BIT WIDER THAN THE HIPS. TURN THE TOES OUT, AS IF YOU’RE IN A SECOND POSITION IN BALLET. KEEP THE BACK NICE AND STRAIGHT, AND BEND THE KNEES OUT TO THE SIDES. LOWER DOWN SO THAT THE THIGHS ARE PARALLEL TO THE FLOOR, AND THEN PRESS DOWN THROUGH THE HEELS TO STAND BACK UP, SQUEEZING THE BUTT CHEEKS AT THE TOP. REPEAT 10 TIMES.

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CONQUERING THE FINANCIAL FRONTIER Women have learned to talk comfortably about sex and politics. Money is the final frontier. No longer is money a dirty five-letter word. With more women leaning in and rising up in leadership positions, it is time to crack the code on our relationship with money.

At FW: Chicago, we have decided that 2016 is The Year of Financial Empowerment.

Each issue of this year will include valuable information that we need to know in order to own our Money Power. We must become informed partners in our own financial life.

One of the key ways that the investment industry keeps customers on the outside and not part of the “in crowd” is through the use of complex jargon. Let’s start by demystifying some of the most common terms.

by Carolyn Leonard and Monika Black

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Carolyn Leonard and Monika Black are the co-founder and strategy analyst, respectively, of DyMynd, a company that helps financial institutions build meaningful relationships with their female clients. Learn more about DyMynd at dymynd.com.

ASSET A resource that has economic value ($). A home, 401k, investments, etc. are all assets. Jimmy Choos are NOT an asset.

BOND A debt instrument, in which an investor loans money to a corporation or government. They borrow the money for a defined period of time at a rate of interest.

Forget James Bond, these are bonds to watch.

COMPOUND INTEREST You can think of compound interest as interest on interest. Example: You loan $100 at 10% interest.

By the first year-end, you would have $110; second year $121, etc. Compounded interest is a woman’s best friend, because it is your money looking out for you even when you can’t.

DIVIDENDS The payment of a portion of the profits of a company to its shareholders.

Dividends are your money makers. Smart women don’t give dividends away—they reinvest them!

ETF An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a marketable security (something that trades on an exchange) that follows an index, a commodity, bonds, or a basket of assets like an index fund.

ETFs are easier to buy and sell and have lower fees.

GOVERNMENT BONDS Treasury bills mature in less than 12 months. No-Coupon, they are issued at less than face value. Investor receives the difference between what they

paid and the face value. Example: You buy a 12-month TB for $95. At maturity you receive $100. You earned 5%. Treasury notes mature in 1–10 years.

Coupon rate (interest) is set by the marketplace at the time of issue. They are issued mostly at par value and mature at par value. Coupon the bond interest rate fixed at issuance. Example $1,000 Treasury Note with a coupon of 5% pays $25 twice a year. Upon maturity you receive $1,000 back.

INTEREST The charge (cost) for the privilege of borrowing money. Your GOAL is to earn interest not pay it out.

401(K) PLAN A qualified plan established by employers to which eligible employees may make salary deduction contributions on a pretax basis. Employers offering a 401(k) Plan may make matching contributions to the plan on behalf of eligible employees. Earnings are not taxed until the money is withdrawn. Always contribute to a plan an employer matches.

It’s like getting a raise!

LIABILITY Any money or service that is currently owed to another party. Forms of liability, for example, are student debt, rent, and car leases.

MUNICIPAL BONDS Debt obligations issued by cities and towns that use the loans to fund public projects such as the construction of schools, hospitals, and

highways. No income taxes on the interest you earn.

OPTION A contract that grants its owner the right, to make a transaction in an underlying commodity or security, at a certain price, within a set time in the future. All women want “options” in their life.

PRICE EARNINGS RATIO (P/E) is the best known investment valuation indicator. A high P/E ratio means investors are paying more for today’s earnings in anticipation of future earnings growth. Facebook’s P/E is 100, Apple’s P/E is 12.94. Smart women want value for their money.

S & P 500 An index of 500 stocks chosen for market size, ease in buying or selling and industry grouping. The S&P is not a stock. The S&P 500 is designed to be a leading indicator of U.S. equities. It is a broader measure of the market than the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

YIELD Income earned on an investment. This refers to the interest or dividends received from a security and is usually expressed annually as a percentage based on the cost of the investment.

Savvy women like low-risk and high-yield investments.

Financial terminology can be a barrier if we let it. It is time to take these terms and make them our own. fw

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LL BUSINESSES SERVE A HUMANITY, AND THE ONLY ROLE OF BUSINESS IS TO MOVE SOCIETY FORWARD. JANUARY 2016

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MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED PHOTO CREDIT: KATHLEEN VIRGINIA PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

Since taking the helm as CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago in 2013, Dorri McWhorter has embarked on a mission to move the organization into the 21st century by embracing the digital age and crafting a sustainable business model. McWhorter recently sat down with FW: Chicago to talk about empowering women and why our communities thrive when women are given the tools they need to succeed. by Jennifer Smith Tapp Spend a significant amount of time living in a city like Chicago and you will likely develop some sort of impenetrable veneer—something that serves to protect you from any number of real and perceived threats. Dorri McWhorter seems to have missed that memo.

I first met McWhorter at the YWCA Annual Luncheon this past fall and found her to be as warm and immediately welcoming as someone I already knew for years. When we connected again several weeks later at the Uber Chicago headquarters for this story, we picked up right where we left off, with McWhorter eager to talk about her role at the YWCA Metropolitan Active on Chicago and why it is important that businesses operate in concert social media, with making the world a better place.

#FindingDorri

McWhorter adopted the hashtag as a way for followers to keep up with her travels and to remind them and herself to find themselves and be true to who they are.

Born in Englewood and raised in Racine, Wisconsin, McWhorter recalls a happy childhood marked by a genuine concern for the welfare of others (a letter to Santa that she still has and read aloud during the interview asked, in part, “to make everyone alive be

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ok”), as well as being a bit of a social butterfly. Well-liked in school, she remembers being “a very, very social person. For my senior class, I was voted ‘Most School Spirit’ and ‘Most Likely to Succeed.’” She also had an aptitude for math and, by middle school, knew she wanted to be an accountant. When she achieved her goal of becoming a CPA, she found people often

strategy is—can operate without profit.” When she took the reins at YWCA, McWhorter recognized a need to shake up the business model and look for opportunities that could make the organization more sustainable while upholding its original purpose. She explains, “The Y clearly knows how it impacts society. But what it didn’t have a good grip on, in my opinion, was how to operate it to actually be profitable.”

This past spring under McWhorter’s direction, the YWCA launched YShop. org, an e-commerce site selling a curated #1 locations selection of goods YEARS OF SERVICE PROVIDER OF in city and services from IN CHICAGO SEXUAL and businesses that VIOLENCE support the mission suburbs SUPPORT of the YWCA. SERVICES IN IL Developing each year offering TechGYRLS sessions mutually beneficial 41,200+ partnerships SESSIONS with businesses is WITH SEXUAL McWhorter’s strong WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND ASSAULT suit—one that FAMILIES SERVED ANNUALLY SURVIVORS underpins a core part of its mission.

80 women and The Y focuses on SCHOOLS entrepreneurs three areas central home and years WHERE SEXUAL supported via career to empowering center-based operating a ASSAULT women: freedom childcare Young and business PREVENTION from violence, providers Parents services IS TAUGHT assisted Program access to quality education and training, and economic stability.

Historically, helping had a difficult time reconciling the only role of business is to women become self-sufficient her gregarious personality with move society forward.” has been a constant thread for the stereotypical notion of what the organization, and that has While we would normally consider an accountant should be. Throw not changed even as the YWCA an organization like YWCA a in an unabashed love of fashion Metropolitan Chicago celebrates nonprofit, McWhorter bristles (she is a fan of local designer its 140th anniversary in 2016. at that idea. “I actually hate the Maria Pinto), and you can see term ‘not-for-profit’ because no McWhorter recalls seeing a copy how McWhorter would be quite business—I don’t care what your of a vintage magazine called the standout in CPA circles.

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McWhorter’s professional background—which included a stint as a partner at Crowe Horwath, LLP—coupled with her interest in civic duty led to her current role as CEO at YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. She is steadfast in her opinion that business should have a mission to serve a greater good. “I do have this very personal philosophy that all businesses serve humanity,” she says, “and

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Chicago Girl published by the YWCA in the 1930s. The issue featured a section telling young women about setting up their own checking accounts. The same publication also listed classes that were available for “colored girls,” demonstrating the organization was integrated long before it was required by law. “The YWCA has always sort of been on the leading edge, the forward-thinking voice of its time,” McWhorter says.

Now, helping women find their footing professionally in the 21st century is a challenge that McWhorter gladly takes on with full force. Recently, the YWCA has partnered with the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau to place women in high-growth and high-paying jobs that lead to rewarding careers. Of course, a primary focus is placing women in information technology positions. One initiative called Developing Digital Diversity (3D) is focused on web and mobile app development, a program that the YWCA runs out of tech incubator 1871. Another important program is Construct, a partnership with ComEd that brings women into the utility construction field. Most recently, YWCA has connected with Uber, which has been actively recruiting more women drivers. This is a collaboration that McWhorter is especially excited about, as it allows for the flexibility that many women need in order to take care of their children.

“What’s great about this is we are recruiting women to drive for Uber because that can have an immediate, direct financial impact in their homes.”

YWCA has been proactive in recognizing that a major barrier many women face when looking for employment is finding quality, affordable childcare. “We see childcare providers as instrumental to the entire ecosystem of women in the workplace.” McWhorter says. “Clearly, women who have children cannot work if they do not have appropriate care or educational opportunities for their children, right?”

YWCA not only connects women with childcare providers, the Y also helps these providers turn their love of children into profitable businesses that can thrive. This month, a program called Mrytle’s Club will launch with the goal of helping childcare providers optimize their businesses by offering referral services and classes and helping them buy supplies at deep discounts.

With her dynamic personality, passion for humanity, and exceptional understanding of what it takes for a business to get positive results, Dorri McWhorter is not just furthering the work of the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago as it tackles the issues facing the women of this city. She’s also using her collaborative talents to bring on other businesses to help shoulder the load. fw Learn more about YWCA Metropolitan Chicago at ywcachicago.org.

Uber x YWCA: Recruiting Women Drivers In March 2015, Uber made a pledge to economically empower one million women as drivers by 2020. To drive toward that commitment, Uber has partnered with local groups like YWCA Metropolitan Chicago in recruiting women as driver partners. In turn, Uber has provided free transportation to those served by YWCA’s programs as a way of reducing barriers to employment.

For many women, driving with Uber provides a flexible, equitable opportunity that not only gives them control over their schedules and supplements their income but also helps them pursue their passions.

Since launching a focused recruitment effort in Chicago last June, the company reports the number of women Uber drivers in Chicago has grown from 20 percent to 30 percent. Now more than 10,000 strong, the women who drive Uber in the city collectively earn one million dollars per week.

The impact of these earnings is significant for the local economy and goes beyond the drivers’ pockets, as women are more likely than men to reinvest their earnings in their families and communities.

For more information visit uber.com.

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PHOTO CREDIT KRIS KASPEREK

TECH CONVERSATIONS

eill N ’ O y e n a Meet K

To inspire our readers to meet their 2016 resolutions, our January issue is spotlighting one of Chicago’s most inspiring founders, Kaney O’Neill.

Kaney is a Navy veteran, the mother of six year-old Aidan, and the founder of ONeill Contractors­— a commercial roofing company serving the United States Military and other government and private agencies. And Kaney conquers it all from her wheelchair.

Interview by Terri Brax, founder of TeacherCare, co-founder of Women Tech Founders

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KANEY, I UNDERSTAND BEFORE THE MILITARY, YOU SWAM COMPETITIVELY IN EUROPE ON AN INTERNATIONAL TEAM? Yes, I’ve been a swimmer most of my life. While in Europe, I noticed a swim team and I asked if I could join in. I found out that they were an international swim team and swam with them for three hours every day after that—for three years.

It was a great experience!

SO WAS IT PARTIALLY YOUR LOVE OF THE WATER THAT DREW YOU TO THE NAVY, OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN? I was nineteen years old when I decided to join the military. I was going to community college as a waitress and wanted an adventure. I have a long history of military service in my family, and I believed serving my country was the right thing to do, so I enlisted. My dream

AND YOUR LIFECHANGING ACCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE YOU WERE IN THE NAVY? It did. In 1999, I was 21 years old, and Hurricane Floyd blew into Virginia. I ended up suffering a fall off a balcony that severed my spinal cord at the fifth and sixth vertebrae and rendered me a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the chest down.

The accident happened during a hurricane, so resources were strained at the hospital. I had my

...the military showed me that I could push myself farther than I ever thought I could. was to become a search and rescue swimmer, with the thought of traveling the world, jumping out of airplanes to save lives, and maybe even falling in love. I wanted the whole American dream, but things didn’t go as I had planned. I often use a quote from John Lennon to describe this part of my life: “Life is what happens when you’re busy planning something else.” When I arrived at my duty station, I was on an aircraft carrier that wasn’t even in the water.

It was just docked. I laugh when people ask me what I did in the military and I explain that I was a professional paint scraper, but I really loved being in the Navy anyway. It was an honor and a privilege to wear my country’s uniform.

surgery with back-up generators because all the power was out.

Yeah, it was life-changing. In the blink of an eye, my physical world changed forever.

THAT MUST HAVE BEEN AN INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT PERIOD IN YOUR LIFE. HOW DID YOU MOVE FORWARD? My way of coping or moving on was to invest myself in my education. I started off at community college and then transferred to Northwestern and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Learning and Organizational Change. After my Bachelor’s, I hit the streets trying to find a job, but I had trouble getting interviews and was told I needed

a Master’s degree to be a better candidate. So I went back to Northwestern, earned my Master’s degree, and sure enough my resume turned into interviews.

Unfortunately, when I showed up, jobs just didn’t materialize.

Interviewers asked about my special accommodations and limitations rather than my skills or how I could add value to the organization. After a year of trying to find a job, I realized I may as well just start my own business. I can be in control and create my own dream.

YOU JUST DIDN’T LET ANYTHING OR ANYBODY KNOCK YOU DOWN. Yeah, I’m stubborn. If somebody tells me, “you can’t do that,” I guarantee you I’ll find a way to get it done. It’s just the way that I am. Tell me that I can’t do something and I’ll do my best to prove you wrong.

SO WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU GOT THIS FIRE TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES? I think it’s a combination of having a big, supportive, happy family­—with a history of entrepreneurship generations deep—and the skills that I gained in the military. My family was always cheering me on, and the military showed me that I could push myself farther than I ever thought I could. I still hear the military voices inside my head saying, “improvise, adapt, and overcome,” and a lot of the military mottos like, “failure is not an option” or “find a way around.”

I have so many challenges that I just view challenges as boulders in the road. When I face a problem, I

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tell myself, “There’s a way around it, or over it. I’ll call a friend with a crane if I have to, but I’ll find a way. There’s always a way. You just have to figure out what it is.

YOU SHARED SOME GREAT QUOTES. WHO SHARED THOSE POWERFUL MESSAGES WITH YOU? I was fortunate enough to experience a lot of really good leaders when I was in the military. Besides overcoming challenges, they also taught me what it means to motivate a team and the value of teamwork.

I learned that you can’t do anything on your own. You have to have a team, a unit.

WHAT STORIES STICK WITH YOU? WHICH STORIES INSPIRE YOU? I think the stories of why people become entrepreneurs and the path that they take. I gain my strength through other entrepreneurial stories and the stories of how people overcome challenges.

AND SPEAKING OF ENTREPRENEURIAL STORIES, I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER GREAT ORGANIZATIONS. CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT O’NEILL CONTRACTORS? Sure! ONeill Contractors is a general contracting company that specializes in commercial roofing. We’ve been in business since 2007. It took me a year to get my first job, but I can remember begging the contracting officer, “Please, it’s my first job.

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I know it’s in Walla-Walla, Washington, but I can do it.” Now, we’ve done close to 2.5 million square feet of roof restorations up there in Washington as well as many other roofing projects.

Probably one of my most meaningful jobs was winning my first roofing MATOC for the Navy at Great Lakes, where I went to boot camp. I love that I can still be of service to my Navy.

So it came full circle.

a drone, I can be on a roof taking photographs and measurements without even having to leave my wheelchair. Technology makes up for deficiencies and helps us to be more productive. If you don’t learn and use new technology, you’re gonna be a slow turtle and everybody is gonna pass you by.

SPEAKING OF THE FUTURE, WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?

It’s really meaningful for me to be able to work on government projects. Right now, we’re working on a building at a VA cemetery.

I’m proud that I’m contributing to a place that will comfort people who are grieving. She also installed a new roof at the VA hospital where she is a patient.

It means a lot to me to help take care of other veterans.

I want to grow my business to $15 million. We have a long way to go, but that’s the goal. And I would really like to hire at least 75 percent veterans within my company, to actually have quality training to help veterans establish a really professional career, not just work but an actual career. But, my son holds my heart. I want to give him the best life I can. That’s always my goal.

I’M SURE THE VETERANS IN THE HOSPITAL FIND STRENGTH IN SEEING YOU MANAGE THOSE PROJECTS.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR INCREDIBLE STORY! ARE THERE ANY FINAL MESSAGES YOU WANT TO PASS ON?

Yeah, I think that it’s easy to give up or just float by and not grow or challenge yourself. I have a lot of hopes and dreams for my future, and I want to build something I can be proud of.

The reason that I do interviews is to get other women to realize that owning your own business is possible. Everybody has challenges, and there are ways to overcome those challenges.

Maybe I have more challenges than most, but everyone has a cross to carry. You rarely hear women say, “When I grow up I want to be an entrepreneur,” but why not? I think they need to start visualizing that they, too, can go into business for themselves. And yeah, I just hope that if one person hears my story and thinks, “if she can do it, I can do it,” then that’s the biggest reward for me right there. fw

I KNOW YOU’RE A BIG BELIEVER IN USING TECHNOLOGY TO BUILD HOPES AND DREAMS...

Technology is hugely important for our business and personal life. Our company uses tech in everything from online information systems to multiple apps. There’s also some really exciting technology I can’t wait to use, like drones. With the use of

Learn more about Kaney and other successful female entrepreneurs in Chicago at WomenTechFounders.com

TOR N E M E H T PHOTO CREDIT KRIS KASPEREK

by Kathleen Henson

D oes kindness belong in the workplace?

As a wife, mother, and entrepreneur, I not only believe that it does but I also have come to learn it’s a key quality for building a thriving team and becoming a successful leader.

Through both my personal life and professional role as a Chicago business leader, I’m committed to making our city and world a better place. Many of my greatest joys come from mentoring and guiding others, particularly other women who are evolving in their careers.

Life is often messy, and I’ve found that it is less about what road you’re on and more about how you travel it and who you meet along the way. From these experiences, I have developed a value system that guides my path, as well as the path of those I mentor every day.

Since I graduated college nearly (gulp!) 23 years ago, I have learned so much about who I wanted to be through the example of others. I observe each new connection with great curiosity and tuck away qualities I admire or admonish against to call upon as I continue to evolve. After some of my own unpleasant childhood experiences with people who I’d describe as bullies, my mantra has been to “always lead with kindness.”

I have never regretted being kind to others, and I’ve found that, no matter what the circumstance might be, everything seems to work itself out. Also, I have never apologized for being my authentic

self—truly owning who I am and showing enthusiasm for the causes and clients I care about.

Last, I appreciate people who keep their word and who “do what they say and say what they do.” That’s not always common practice these days.

BE KIND, BE PASSIONATE: When

I started my own company 15 years ago, I consciously chose to collaborate only with kind people representing brands with inspiring stories. At the end of the day, we’re all just human beings who have our jobs to do, but it is actually possible to use our work experiences to positively impact the lives of others. To leave my little ones at home to help earn a living for my growing family meant I would insist upon being truly passionate about going to work (even if the commute was down the stairs to my basement).

I found that, by holding firm to my values, I was even more successful than in my previous big agency job.

THE HUSTLE: Now,

a little about hustle. I have observed that the more senior or “important”

people become in their career, the less they believe they should have to do the smaller, mundane tasks that got them to their current position. I don’t think you should ever believe you are “above” a task. In fact, I often joke that I clean the toilets, sell the toilets, and I happen to own the toilet company. Often there is no glamour in the daily to– dos, but you should hustle and do them all the same. I also subscribe to the mantra of “don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” I admire people who move quickly and efficiently to get it done—and done well—and then move on to the next assignment without complaint.

Be kind and passionate and show hustle—there’s a reason these three qualities make up half of the six foundational values of my firm and reflect the people that work there. You have only one life, so make the most of it. Next month, we’ll talk about my three other core values and why Creativity, Smarts, and Authenticity will help you succeed. fw

Kathleen Henson is a wife, mother of five, and the founder and CEO of Henson Consulting, an award-winning national PR firm based in Chicago that employs 39 women and one very brave man. Her company just was named among 75 companies on Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of top company cultures nationwide.

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What’s Love Got To Do With It? WOMEN AND PREMARITAL AGREEMENTS FROM EVERY ANGLE

by Meighan Harmon When major decisions about love and money intersect at pivotal points in a woman’s life, a thorough consideration of both romantic and economic interests is essential. A Premarital Agreement (also called a Prenuptial Agreement or a “Prenup”) between intended spouses is entered into prior to the marriage. It seeks to define or modify the economic impact of marriage, both in terms of property entitlement and alimony. With premarital agreements becoming more and more commonplace, women shouldn’t just be asking themselves, “Should I sign one?” but also, “Do I need one?” The following scenarios illustrate why the conversation around women and premarital agreements needs to expand beyond the current dialogue.

Scenario One: Being asked to sign a premarital agreement. One of the most common reasons wealthy or professionally established people ask for a premarital is to limit their exposure to paying alimony to the person they are marrying in the event of a divorce.

(A premarital agreement cannot limit a future obligation to pay child support, but it can limit or even waive the right to future alimony.)

When making the decision to sign a premarital agreement, women need to consider very carefully if they will be signing a premarital agreement that will make them unable to maintain the standard of living they will enjoy during their marriage.

It’s very easy to get caught in the trap of proving you are not marrying him or her “for the money,” but fast forward 10 or 15 years down the road and think about the fact that your entire social circle and support system, and that of your children, is often built around a certain standard of living. To lose access to a private club, charitable board (that often comes with a minimum donation expectation), or vacation home that is the epicenter of your social life and the social life of your children, can be an enormous blow.

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When you are 28 and shopping at H&M, it’s hard to imagine what it would be like to go from Ultimo back to H&M in your 40s. It is easy to pillory spouses who complain about a substantial change in their lifestyle resulting from a premarital agreement, when they remain relatively wealthy people. The media often have a field day with the “extravagant” demands of women going through highprofile divorces. Remember the Paul McCartney and Heather Mills divorce? Her requests for support to maintain the lifestyle she enjoyed while married to the former Beatle were splashed across the headlines and called “ridiculous,” “unreasonable,” “exorbitant,” and, for a while, earned her the moniker of the “most hated woman in Britain.” But when you really try to walk a mile in the Louboutins of a woman who can no longer maintain a lifestyle established over the course of many years, the harsh reality of losing a spouse and a support system and a social life, all at the same time is nothing to joke about.

Often, another significant underlying fear is the wealthier parent’s ability to garner

preferred parent status because they can afford a first-class trip to Disney World while the other parent can only afford to go to the local water park on a holiday. Anyone being asked to sign a premarital agreement limiting their right to future support should think long and hard about what the future could look like under the terms they are being asked to agree to at the time of marriage.

Scenario Two: You are, or may become the “wealthy” spouse in need of a premarital agreement. On the flip side of Scenario One, surveys show wealthy or established women are much less likely to ask for a premarital agreement than their male peers. I have seen a significant rise in the number of professional women I represent who have less successful spouses and are shocked to learn they may have an obligation to pay alimony (called “maintenance” in Illinois). A spouse need not be unemployed or a stay-at-home parent to have the right to seek alimony. In fact, any time there is a significant disparity in a couple’s historical earnings, the lower earning spouse may have the right to seek alimony,

irrespective of what the parties’ respective childcare and homemaking roles may have been during the marriage.

A spouse’s right to alimony is also determined without regard to fault as it relates to the reasons for the breakdown of a marriage. For example, a spouse’s infidelity has no impact on his or her right to seek alimony (although cohabiting with a paramour would terminate the right to seek alimony in most instances). The future is impossible to predict, and the only way to hedge your financial risk in a marriage effectively is to do so with a premarital agreement.

Scenario Three: Getting off the fast-track and premarital agreements. Even for women who are not the financially advantaged spouse, there may be good reasons to consider a premarital agreement. Consider, for example, the actual economic cost of leaving the workforce in order to have and raise children?

Even women returning to work immediately after having children face economic costs, particularly when compensation is closely tied to specific production

MEIGHAN A. HARMON, SENIOR PARTNER, SCHILLER DUCANTO & FLECK LLP Recently honored as one of the Top 50 Woman Attorneys in Illinois by Super Lawyers, Meighan A. Harmon, is driven by an inherent self-confidence and firm demeanor, with a compassionate side that puts her clients at ease during periods of great uncertainty.

“You can see physical changes in people oftentimes as the veil of anxiety and depression that comes with the breakdown of the relationship…starts to lift,” she says. “My paradigm of divorce began to change from personal disaster to an event that could foster positive change for both individuals.”

Harmon focuses on complex family law cases involving the distribution of multi-million dollar estates, a complicated endeavor to satisfy. In determining how to navigate the divorce, Harmon first figures out what the couple wants out of it.

After earning her J.D. at the University of Notre Dame, Harmon joined Schiller DuCanto & Fleck, the largest family law firm in the country, in 2001. Harmon is the firm’s youngest equity partner and serves on Schiller’s Executive Committee, responsible for positioning the firm’s vision and course of action.

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goals (e.g., sales or billable hours).

Many women choose to take less demanding positions or go part-time while their children are young. (See “The Real Cost of Women Opting Out” By Kimberly Palmer, July 30, 2014, US News Money.) But for those who stay out of the workforce, even for a few years, it can be difficult (and sometimes impossible) to regain traction when seeking to reenter professional life, whether by choice or as a result of a change in circumstances, like divorce.

In Illinois, we have “maintenance” or alimony guidelines, and women often are shocked to learn of the limited duration of the maintenance guidelines given the length of their marriage. For example, a spouse divorcing after nine years of marriage would receive 43 months of alimony

under the Illinois guidelines.

That is not a very long time for a mother with two small children who has been out of the workforce for seven years to reestablish herself professionally.

Even for two-career couples without children there are reasons a premarital agreement that acknowledges the economic sacrifices required by the marriage may make sense. It is not unusual for one spouse’s career to take “priority” over the other spouse’s career, either short-term or throughout a marriage. Perhaps one spouse has a high-powered job with a great deal of potential that requires a couple to relocate multiple times over the course of the marriage. It is not unlikely that those repeated relocations might have a detrimental impact on the career trajectory of the

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spouse that is being asked to follow. While the negative impact of multiple relocations might be hard to measure, not addressing the impact on the career of the following spouse can lead to the buildup of significant resentment over the years and cause deterioration to the relationship.

Clearly, there are many situations in which we should carefully consider the long-term economic consequences of our decisions around love and marriage. One of these considerations can be whether or not a premarital agreement is a possible way to address concerns around these major life decisions. While trying to predict the future is often futile, creating some predictability around our future is never a bad idea. fw

WBDC INSPIRING WOMEN

Plan for Growth in the New Year

By Emilia DiMenco

A new year means new challenges for most business owners. Even if you finished 2015 strong, market conditions and other factors could quickly sidetrack your plans for growth.

Fortunately, many of the challenges can be turned into opportunities.

If scaling up your business is a high priority, here are a few tips to help you get there.

1

Review your business goals.

Most goals were appropriate when written but have become outdated. Are your goals reasonable, or are they obsolete­—a delusion that could impact your company’s overall performance?

Clearly stated and simplified business goals that are challenging, yet achievable will help put you on the path to unparalleled growth.

2

Assess your critical business activities.

Take a look at your core activities.

Which products or services are the most profitable and which, if any, are not? If not, why not?

Has your customer base changed?

What can you do to realize cost efficiencies that make your business more profitable?

Answers to these questions will help you define your competitive advantage, which is critical to business success.

3

Evaluate the state of your business finances.

Review your current financials

to determine the investment required to achieve your projected revenues. Then ask yourself some tough questions. Will you have sufficient cash flow to fuel growth before realizing your increased revenues? What happens if there is a delay in achieving your revenues? Do you need a working capital loan, or is it permanent capital that you will need to fuel your growth? Work with your accountant or other financial expert to forecast your financials, including month-tomonth cash flow.

4

onduct a sales C performance and marketing review.

Sales and marketing are critical to any business. Analyze your historical sales performance and marketing results against your business growth objectives.

Identify your strengths and weaknesses as well as opportunities and threats that may impede your growth. Armed with this information, decide which major and minor changes are needed to reach your business objectives.

5

ommit to being more C people-focused.

Customers and employees make or break a business. Find new ways to reward and retain loyal customers and find new ones.

Conduct well-prepared annual performance reviews to evaluate and give feedback to your employees. Remember that happy, satisfied customers and employees are loyal ones.

Once you have confidence in your goals, strategy, and tactics, write them down and share the information with your employees so they have the big picture and “buy in” to the plan.

Measure, monitor, and report progress throughout the year to address barriers that arise, and celebrate with your team when you reach benchmarks.

Above all, know that 12 months is a long time for a business.

Anything can happen. Strive to achieve your goals, and be prepared for inevitable challenges with a plan to manage these risks. Then get ready for banner growth in the New Year. fw

Emilia DiMenco is president and CEO of the Women’s Business Development Center, an organization that provides services to prospective, emerging, and established women business owners, including workshops, business counseling, a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certification and procurement program, and annual events. For more information, visit www.wbdc.org.

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Give the black yoga pant a rest and shake up your gym gear this year— bright prints, sleek silhouettes, and graphics make workouts anything but routine.

bold moves

Styled by Brandon Frein and Arlene Matthews

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LEFT Adidas Florera pant, $40 at Nordstrom | Spiritual Gangster Love tank, $48 at Nordstrom | Nike sports bra, $40 at Nordstrom BELOW Uniquely Lorna Jane running shorts, $65 at Nordstrom | Nike Pro zip-up, $65 at Nordstrom | Nike running shoes, model’s own Photographed by Heather Talbert on location at FFC West Loop Hair and makeup by Jenna Baltes using Make Up For Ever Model: Mediha, Ford Chicago

FAR LEFT Adidas Florera pant, $40 at Nordstrom | Spiritual Gangster Love tank, $48 at Nordstrom | Nike sports bra, $40 at Nordstrom | Adidas Florera jacket, $75 at Nordstrom | Adidas Cosmic jacket (worn as vest), $150 at Nordstrom | Vans Sk8-Hi sneakers, $79 at Nordstrom NEAR LEFT Adidas leggings, $55 at Nordstrom | Nike sports bra, $40 at Nordstrom | Uniquely Lorna Jane T-shirt, $69 at Nordstrom | Adidas Cosmic jacket, $150 at Nordstrom

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BEAUTY BOX n o i s s e s t a e sw

By Rebecca Taras-Lee

Just because you’re working up a sweat doesn’t mean your beauty routine has to go by the wayside. Whether you’re a yogi, spin-sister, or cross-training addict, these gym bag essentials will keep you looking as good on the outside as you feel on the inside after a killer workout.

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Take the athleisure trend to the next level by mixing classic lace with daring cutouts.

Ground the look with a body-con legging and a bold sneaker.

Burundi-born distance runner Diane Nukuri shows you how it’s done.

jux TA pose PHOTOGRAPHED BY S. FLYNN STYLED BY BRANDON FREIN AND ARLENE MATTHEWS

SELF-PORTRAIT OBLIQUE COLUMN DRESS, $625 AT BLAKE ASICS HIGH-TOPS, MODEL’S OWN

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ABOVE SELF-PORTRAIT AYELETTE CUTOUT DRESS, $640 AT BLAKE ROOST HOOP EARRINGS, $30 AT ROBIN RICHMAN RIGHT A TENTATIVE ATELIER PANTS, $380 AT ROBIN RICHMAN KTZ ORGANZA BIG T-SHIRT, $320 AT ROBIN RICHMAN JEAN FRANCOIS MIMILLA BRACELET, $665 AT ROBIN RICHMAN

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ABOVE HENRIK VIBSKOV HARMONIZER LEGGING, $298 AT ROBIN RICHMAN ELENA DAWSON BLAZER, $1375 AT ROBIN RICHMAN VINTAGE PIERRE CARDIN NECKLACE, $450 AT ROBIN RICHMAN

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RIGHT S ELF-PORTRAIT HIGH NECK LACE TOP, $340 AT BLAKE SERIENUMERICA WAXED LEGGING, $500 AT ROBIN RICHMAN MIKAL WINN MESH CUFF, $160 AT ROBIN RICHMAN ASICS HIGH-TOPS, MODEL’S OWN fw: chicago JANUARY 2016

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g n i m r a w d n e r t

INCORPORATE LAYERING AND THE USE OF TEXTILES. Consider changing out your textiles to create drama in a room. Here the stripes on the draperies make an interesting visual statement. This treatment allows the window to feel more dressed up, yet it’s light and airy enough to carry through all the seasons to come. Throw a hide rug in during the winter months to add some texture and warmth on the floor, as well. For lighting, use Edison bulbs to cast a warm glow in the space.

For more information about Leslie and her services, visit wells-streetdesign.com.

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By Rebecca Taras-Lee

One of the many qualities we love about the holidays is the warm glow that the holiday decorations give our abode.

But now that the tree is in the trash and the last string of twinkling lights has been packed away until next year, you might find your living quarters are looking as cold and drab as the long winter we have ahead of us.

Fear not. Decor guru Leslie Bowman, founder and director of Wells Street Design, shared a few quick and easy tips for cozying up your pad that take a lot less effort than it did to deck your halls.

DON’T IGNORE YOUR WINDOWS. Often window treatments are the last thing to get done in a space, but they actually make the most impact. Winter is a great time to complete windows that you haven’t dressed yet.

Here a lighter linen fabric paired with a soft chenille/velvet material works for all seasons; the layering effect really adds depth.

REINVENT YOUR WALL SPACE. Think of ways to re-purpose a wall and add visual interest by using wall coverings in unique ways. For example, frame an area behind a console and spend money on some eclectic hand-painted wall coverings; it’s like a piece of art! You also can simply rearrange your existing artwork by mixing classic/traditional framed architectural drawings with a more modern original piece.

Don’t be afraid to mix a classic piece with a touch of modern.

It adds visual interest to the space and keeps it timeless.

New Year Tip! January is typically a time to get organized and start fresh. Go through your accessories and “clean” them up by removing some of the items—packing them away or replacing them to make room for new items. It makes the room feel fresh when it is gloomy outside.

REMAKE YOUR BED. Add a “ scarf ” to the end of the bed.

It gives the appearance of texture and weight while still looking luxurious and warm (a fur throw!). Use some of the furniture that you might have moved around from other spaces into the bedroom.

Don’t be afraid to use something different at the end of a bed other than a bench— like a desk. You also can use a small sofa or settee or even a lower console table. Rearrange your accessories.

GET THIS LOOK Harper Silver Media Stand $749.00, theroomplace.com

“Connected Emotions 1” Framed Art $299.95, zgallerie.com

Skyla Ceiling Lamp $1,039.00, theroomplace.com

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n i s ’ t Wha ? g a b her

BLENDER BOTTLE I use my Vitamix daily. It is the easiest way to get off to a great start nutritionally. My perfect blend is five veggies and three fruits: kale, spinach, carrot, celery, and sprouts with avocado (yes it is a fruit), one orange, and one green apple.

The avocado makes it creamy and keeps the veggies and fruits from separating. $8.29, available at target.com.

LARABAR I always have food in my bag because I never know when I may need it, whether getting stuck in traffic or called into a meeting. I am one of those people who cannot go longer than 3 hours without eating. I prefer to eat unprocessed food as much as I can, and this bar has the least amount of ingredients. This simple, clean, and satisfying. $1.79, available at shop.larabar.com.

SPRI EXERCISE TUBING We have Spri tubing in all of our studios at FFC. For people always on the go, and especially those who travel, I highly recommend adding a couple pieces to your bag.

You can train your entire body with just one band. Starting at $6.98, available at Spri.com.

One look at fitness guru Lois Miller and you’ll immediately feel guilty for skipping the gym in lieu of post-work cocktails.

The fitness guru has been in the industry for a whopping 29 years and has most recently been at the helm of teaching group classes and developing new programs for Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC) of Chicago. Her Body 360 class was cited as a nationwide top workout and Formula 94 is one of the most popular classes in the company. As you could imagine, the contents of her bag are as responsible as she is.

by Rebecca Taras-Lee

ARCHIPELAGO BOTANICALS HAND CREAM I am constantly washing my hands throughout the day and, with the cold temps coming, this is by far the best cream out there to keep your hands soft. I appreciate the light scent.

You don’t even notice it. $18, available at Skinstore.com.

GARNIER CLEANSING TOWELETTES My days consist of teaching classes, sitting in meetings, and doing one-on-one developmental sessions with my instructors.

I need to be able to go from one to the next and feel ready to go. $4.49, available at Ulta, 16 South Halsted Street, 312-279-5081, ulta.com.

BUXOM LIP GLOSS I love lip gloss.

I feel polished and ready to go, and Buxom has a plumping agent that wakes you up regardless the time of day. “Yes You” is a pretty, neutral shade that works with my gym life. $19, available at sephora.com.

LAURA MERCIER MINERAL POWDER I love it because it evens skin tone and makes transitioning from the gym to lunch or dinner plans a breeze without having to re-do my makeup. $39, available at nordstrom.com.

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is dedicated to bringing the best in style and beauty to

We Bring the Salon to You! A | K Glam provides in-home service for every occasion. From high-profile clientele who prefer the comfort of their own home, to bridal and bachlorette parties, black tie events, fundraisers, or simply a night out! Services range from airbrush makeup and up-dos, to lash extensions and color!

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our readers. Tailored to suit the needs of local businesses, the Style Files appear in print, online and in our newsletter. To learn more about getting listed in the Style Files, please contact Andrea@fw-chicago.com.

e g r u l p s Corielle Heath

Ida Musoni

Founder and CEO of liftUPlift

Producer and doula

DANCING MARLIN 20590 South La Grange Road, Frankfort, IL 815-464-6646 dancingmarlinrestaurant.com.

BACONWRAPPED FIGS

My restaurant of choice is in the South Suburbs (let me know if you need something in the city).

It’s called Dancing Marlin, and it’s a superb seafood restaurant where dishes are served tapas style. As for favorite dishes, the bacon-wrapped figs make my mouth water just thinking about them, and, since its tapas, I always try their daily specials.

Aside from the food that never fails to impress, I love Dancing Marlin because it brings people from all over the Chicago metro area to Frankfort, my quaint hometown on the far South Side. The owners, Teresa and Tom Kara, are fun and very friendly, always chatting with patrons and making each group feel like special guests. When I splurge here, I know I’m making an investment in my community!

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DUE LIRE 4520 North Lincoln Avenue 773-275-7878 due-lire.com

OLIVES, RAVIOLI, PANNA COTTA, AND WINE

I usually start with their house-marinated Italian olives, followed by whatever seasonal crostini is on the menu. I usually then have one of their incredibly fresh salads. My favorite is the Rucola, which is an arugula salad with a lemon dressing. Due Lire is known for its Short Rib Ravioli, which is so tasty, but I’m partial to whatever the fish of the day is because they get it right every time. You would think that I would put my fork down and push away from the table at this moment, but dessert is a necessity. All are made in house. My absolute favorite is the Panna Cotta with fresh berries on top. So amazing!

PS: Yes, there is always a full glass of wine throughout this amazing dining experience.

e Laura Schwartz Professional speaker, author, political commentator

BEATRIX 519 North Clark Street 312-284-1377 restaurantbeatrix.com

SLOW BRAISED SHORT RIBS

For me, there is comfort in meat.

If I feel a little under the weather, I go for red meat, “If it’s cold outside I go for red meat. If I am craving comfort. I go for short ribs! I grew up in Wisconsin, and whether brats, steak, or ribs it was always home-cooked and slow-cooked. Beatrix’ approach to this delicious dish makes me feel like I’m home.

As heavy as this comfort dish may sound, their portion is perfect. It’s plenty of food without feeling overstuffed when I leave.

When I do leave, I love the walk home with friends to a fabulous movie and ice cream in the freezer!

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t n a t s n co ing v a cr i love print

BLACKENED CAULIFLOWER WITH CAJUN SPICES

AND PARMESAN CHEESE You asked for it and we delivered. Never miss an issue, subscribe monthly at fw-chicago.com/iloveprint

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The holidays are over, which means it’s time to get back on the nutritional bandwagon. But, if you’re like us, it can be difficult to gravitate toward a bowl of crisp greens on a blustery winter’s day.

We asked three Chicago chefs to share their recipes for comfort foods with a lighter twist.

INSTEAD OF BEEF TACOS, TRY CHEF CHRIS CURREN’S

Ahi Tuna Tacos FROM SEVEN LIONS, CHICAGO

INGREDIENTS 2 TABLESPOONS PURÉED CHIPOTLE PEPPERS ½ CUP MAYONNAISE ½ CUP SOUR CREAM 1 TABLESPOON LIME JUICE AHI TUNA TACOS 1 POUND AHI TUNA 2 TABLESPOONS CHIPOTLE AIOLI 1–2 TABLESPOONS LIME JUICE 2 TABLESPOONS CHOPPED CILANTRO SALT

by Rebecca Taras-Lee and Jennifer Smith Tapp

4—6 HARD CORN TORTILLA SHELLS INSTRUCTIONS

INSTRUCTIONS 1. F or aioli, purée canned chipotle peppers in blender or food processor with the liquid from the can.

ANI TUNA TACOS

2. C ombine puréed peppers, mayonnaise, sour cream, and lime juice in a mixing bowl until well incorporated.

3. C ut tuna into a medium dice, about ¼-inch X ¼-inch

4. W arm taco shells in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes.

5. I n a mixing bowl, combine tuna, chipotle aioli, lime juice, chopped cilantro, and salt to taste.

6. F ill taco shells and serve.

TOMA CHIPS

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INSTEAD OF POTATO CHIPS, TRY CHEF TONY MANTUANO’S

TRY CHEF ERICK WILLIAMS’

Blackened Cauliflower with Cajun Spices and Parmesan Cheese

Toma Chips BAR TOMA, CHICAGO

INGREDIENTS

COUNTY BARBEQUE, CHICAGO

1 LARGE GOLD BEET 1 LARGE RED BEET

INGREDIENTS

1 TEASPOON KOSHER SALT

1 HEAD CAULIFLOWER

½ TEASPOON BLACK PEPPER INSTRUCTIONS

4 OUNCES VEGETABLE COOKING OIL 1 TABLESPOON SALT

INSTRUCTIONS

2 TABLESPOONS BLACKENING SPICES (2 TABLESPOONS EACH CAYENNE, GROUND BLACK AND WHITE PEPPER;

1. S lice beets ¼-inch thick. Soak in cold water for 24 hours. This helps the beets hold color and fry better.

2. Fry beets in vegetable or peanut oil at 325 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Place on a cooling rack and season with salt and pepper.

1 TABLESPOON EACH GROUND GARLIC POWDER, ONION POWDER, PAPRIKA, THYME, OREGANO; AND ½ TABLESPOON EACH GROUND CUMIN AND CHILI POWDER) ½ CUP GRATED PARMESAN

INSTEAD OF MAC N’ CHEESE,

INSTRUCTIONS 1. B reak the cauliflower into 1½-inch flowerettes.

VISIT US IN THE LOOP AND AT NAVY PIER

2. H eat a heavy skillet to very hot. Toss the cauliflower and spices with the oil. Add the cauliflower to the skillet, press down frequently with a spatula and let the vegetable char.

3. T urn the heat down and cook until tender.

It will smoke a bit. fw

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s n o i t c e n con

Continue to be inspired by the people featured in this issue by following them on social media.

GEMMA ALLEN /GEMMA.B.ALLEN

KATHLEEN VIRGINIA PAGE @KATHLEEN VIRGINIAPHOTO

DAVID D. ROBERTSON @THEFACEOFHOPE

HEATHER TALBERT @HEATHERTALBERT

DORRI MCWHORTER @CHICCPA TERRI BRAX @WTFOUNDERS

CORIELLE HEATH @LIFTUPLIFT

ARIELLE LEVITAN @VOUSVITAMIN

JODY REDMANN @HOBY_JODY

MEIGHAN HARMON @MEIGHANHARMON

KANEY O’NEILL /IN/KANEY-O-NEILL114B0B82

CAROLYN LEONARD @DYNAMICMYNDS

DIANE NUKURI @DIANENUKURI

KESSARA DHANA @KESSARA

LOIS MILLER /LOISMMILLER EMILIA DIMENCO @WBDC

SAPNA GANDHI @BIBACOSMETICS

TRACEY BUTZ @TRACY_BUTZ KRIS KASPEREK @KRISKASPEREK

ELDA DE LA ROSA @DELAROSAELDA

S FLYNN @FLYNNWORKS SHONDA RHIMES @SHONDARHIMES

BONNIE HILLMAN SHAY @BONNIEHSHAY

DR. MICHAEL EPSTEIN + DR. DAN KROCHMAIL @MAEPLASTICSURG

BAHAR PARTOW @M2ORGANIZE SCHAE LEWIS @M2ORGANIZE

ROMY BLOCK @VOUSVITAMIN

AMARI THOMSEN @ AMARITHOMSEN LAURA SCHWARTZ @LAURASCHWARTZ

IDA MUSONI /IDA.MUSONI

MONIKA BLACK @DYNAMICMYNDS

ERICK WILLIAMS @DMKRESTAURANTS

BRANDON FREIN + ARLENE MATTHEWS @KITTHIS

STEPHANIE MANSOUR @STEPITUPWITHSTEPH

CHRIS CURREN SEVENLIONSCHI TONY MANTUANO BARTOMACHICAGO

JENNA BALTES @JENNABALTES LESLIE BOWMAN @THEDESIGNBARS

ANDREA SAMUELS @ANDREASAMUELS MAKEUP

KATHLEEN HENSON @KATHLEENHENSON

JANUARY 2016

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TAMARA MELLON TRUNK SHOW SUPPORTS YWCA METROPOLITAN CHICAGO Fashion lovers from across the city landed at PUBLIC Chicago to attend an exclusive trunk show featuring apparel, shoes, and accessories by Tamara Mellon. The former chief creative officer and co-founder of Jimmy Choo, Mellon brought pieces from her own luxury lifestyle brand to the Library at PUBLIC. A portion of sales from the event benefited YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.

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A private, invitation-only luncheon preceded the trunk show, where guests were able to take part in a Q & A session, with Mellon answering questions about her life and her recent book, “In My Shoes: A Memoir.”

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The trunk show was hosted by Chicago notables Carmin Awadzi, Heidy Best, Cindi Carlson, Yolanda Daniel, Kathleen Henson, Janet Mandell, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago CEO Dorri McWhorter, Grace Sergio, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, and Jennifer Worman.

1. Kathleen Henson, Tamara Mellon and Dorri McWhorter 2. Partygoers at PUBLIC. 3. Rochelle Trotter 4. Jimmy Choo pumps. 5. Trunk show goods.

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BABES AND BUBBLES The 11th annual Babes and Bubbles holiday party took place on Friday, December 11 at Le Colonial in the Gold Coast. The seasonal fête—hosted by Amanda Puck, Kimberly Burt and Jennifer Hansen—was attended by an invite-only group of guests in the areas of media, hospitality, fashion and philanthropy, including Susu Block, Toni Canada, Samantha Saifer and Rebecca Taras-Lee. The Moet & Chandon champagne was generously donated by Peggy Lanigan, regional marketing manager for Moet & Chandon and Dom Perignon (Moet Hennessy USA).

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1. Kimberly Burt, Guest, Toni Canada, Amanda Puck. 2. Samanatha Saifer and Hillary Sawchuk.

3. Julie Selakovich Saunders and guests.

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Introducing the new line of wines by Love Cork Screw

Indulgence Knows No Boundaries www.lovecorkscrew.com

e f i l l a i c so FLIGHT! FOR ONE STEP PROGRAMS

On Friday, November 13, more than 370 guests gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel-Chicago for Flight! Flight took guests on a virtual journey to Argentina, where they felt the influence of the region from the wine to the music.

Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, an exceptional dinner, seated program highlighting the joys of One Step Programs and the families they help—plus musical entertainment provided by Michael Lerich and his Orchestra to finish the evening. The event raised more than $225,000 (enough to send 225 kids to camp) through unique silent and live auction items and a “campership auction.”

1. Mia Gurevitz.

2. Darryl Perkins, Jr. and Katie O’Connell.

3. John Talaber, Amber Pflughoeft, Chris Eilers and Hailey Danisewicz.

4. Katie Weil and Janel Huston.

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CHEERING FOR CHARITY It was “Game On” on Sunday, December 13, when more than 40 local influencers gathered at Headquarters Beercade for a vintage arcade gaming tournament for charity. Competitors and their guests sampled HQ’s brunch menu and craft cocktails while cheering on the participants. The winner received a $1,000 donation to a charity of their choice. Gamers and guests included Chicago White Sox player Micah Johnson, Matt Roan and NBC Chicago’s Marley Kayden. The big winner was Minibar’s John Dalton, who donated his prize money to Chicago House.

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1. HQ owner Chireal Jordan and Vincent Anzalone.

2. Winner John Dalton and Sarah Baker. 3. Marley Kayden.

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Want to share an event with us. Simply email us at social@fw-chicago.com.

Submission guidelines can be found at fw-chicago.com/submission-guidelines.

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l i r ap cis n a r f

SOUL SISTER

Founder of Dose Market, April Francis’ focus is to bring the best products to consumers—with best meaning highly functional, high-style products made with high-quality materials in a sustainable mode of production. Dose Market’s 49 pop-up markets to date have been the first phase of this mission, and Francis is now entering the second phase, having just launched e-commerce on dosemarket. com. A total diehard for the good stuff, Francis lives by the Dose motto— ”make love not junk.”

HOW SHE UNWINDS: “I’ve been practicing yoga for almost ten years now, and it never lets me down when I need to let go and recalibrate. Reading is also a go-to, but it often just gets me thinking— hardly a way to unwind! Well ... I do find a beautiful book of poetry can be a great way to process and unwind.”

BALANCE TIP: “I’m out of sorts when I’m hungry, overtired, or feeling unloved so, as the saying goes, don’t skimp on eating, sleeping, or sex.”

hope

by David Robertson

HELPING OTHER PEOPLE EVOLVE STARTS WITH HELPING YOURSELF Each day the sun rises and sets, our hopes are refreshed with potential, and our eyes are enlightened with new possibilities. At midnight, we are allotted another regiment of 86,400 seconds for each new day.

What to do with them?

Colgate.com reports it takes the average person about 120 seconds to brush their teeth. Just as you cleanse your mouth with mint daily, begin each day in this new year by inserting positive affirmations and visions into your hope-filled year.

Add pursed-lip breathing or diaphragmatic breathing into your 120 seconds. Research shows it helps relieve shortness of breath and causes general relaxation. As this new year takes off, utilize those 120 seconds each day to meditate and envision your HOPES and desires for 2016.

What does 2016 have in store for you?

Are you making resolutions that you will break by January 31? Each year is a gift. A new beginning. What do you want? Is it more quality time with family? More time at work doing the

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things that make you feel good about your accomplishments? Or is it a combination of the two? My HOPE for you is that you reach each and every one of your goals. Take a few moments each day to sit in solitude. Rejuvenating your soul and spirit is easy and it won’t cost a thing. Medical experts say relaxation techniques are a great way to help with stress management.

The meaning of hope is to desire with expectation of obtainment; to expect with confidence. This new year, allow our hope to beget your hope. As this new year begins, we submit the above proposal to you for your next 365 days. Every day take that 120 seconds (2 minutes) to ignite your hope. In order to help other people evolve, the process must begin with you. Move forward with your hopes and desires in 2016. Each breath, each meditative getaway and opportunity for gratitude is the force each of us needs to manifest that “ living hope.” This is your year and this is your time. Let hope arise from within in each breath you take and release. fw

2016 HOPE Affirmation “The entire universe is collaborating and conspiring to prosper my hopes right now!”

David D. Robertson is a public speaker, educator, writer and the mastermind behind the successful “H.O.P.E. Is...” movement. He provides a voice through an array of avenues leading back to one path—the path of Hope. Learn more at hopeis.us.