A Rock Valley Publishing LLC publication 2021
IN BUSINESS
Women Empowered, successful and leading the way
Meet local businesswomen • Managing work and family • Financial mistakes to avoid
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2021 WOMEN IN BUSINESS
When looking at turning a hobby into a business there are several things to consider. Make sure you have the time and money needed to start up a new company and seek professional advice before jumping in feet first.
Kill the 9-to-5 FILE PHOTO Women in Business
Eva Sanchez, REALTOR® An Elmhurst resident since 1996, consistently active and involved in the community. Currently, a proud member of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Elmhurst Lions Club.
A licensed REALTOR® for over 25 years Full�time, full�service, ranked among the top REALTORS in the region. Offering you an effective and efficient office team with innovative technology and resources to take YOU to your next home!
www.SeeYourHouseRightHere.com Taking You and Your Family To Your Next Home!
Call or Text: (630) 561�8742 @properties, 130 West Park Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Email: SeeYourHouse@outlook.com Visit: www.SeeYourHouseRightHere.com
To buy or sell a house call EVA today! 394612
Turning hobby into a thriving business
A beloved hobby can feel like a mini vacation from everyday life. Whether it’s gardening for relaxation, photography as a creative outlet or computer coding to exercise the brain, hobbies serve as an escape from stress and boredom. What if rather than a hobby being your escape, it was what you did for a career? “When you do what you love, it doesn’t feel like work. However, people are intimidated by the idea of transitioning a hobby into this type of dream,” says Jim Salmon, vice president of business services at Navy Federal Credit Union. “Becoming a successful entrepreneur doesn’t have to be difficult with the right drive and passion.” Navy Federal Business Services has helped thousands of people turn their dreams of owning a small business into reality by providing expert guidance and financial support through Business Services products. Here are some of Salmon’s expert tips based on best practices he’s observed through his close relationship with entrepreneurial clients: Take your time Becoming a successful entrepreneur doesn’t mean you have to drop everything and devote all your time to starting a business. In fact, research shows the opposite: People who keep their day jobs while starting companies are a third less likely to fail than those who abandon their full time jobs. Instead, they’re tinkering, researching and cautiously testing things out to see if their idea is a viable business venture and if there is a market for their product or service. Set a timeline Is there a season where it would make sense to test out your business venture? Or perhaps there’s a transitional time in your life where you’ll be looking to open a new chapter. For example, transitioning your hobby into a viable business venture a great
option for active duty military personnel and veterans because they naturally begin to think about what their second career will be after retiring or leaving the Armed Forces. Decide on time commitment Decide how much time you are willing to dedicate to your new venture in the beginning. Being an entrepreneur means being your own boss which affords you unprecedented flexibility, but the effort you put in directly effects what you get out. Keep in mind, entrepreneurship isn’t just for full-time professionals. Turning a hobby into a career is a great option for military and stay-at-home parents who require flexibility in regards to working hours and location, but they may have more open time to dedicate to the transition. Create a business plan Transitioning a hobby into a profession is a lot of fun, but it’s also serious business if you want to be successful. That means creating a business plan that includes goals and plans for attaining them. This will serve as the foundation for how you strategize and build a successful business today. Plus, when it comes time to finance your budding business, a solid business plan will give you a leg up and direction for the future. Find financial backing Depending on what type of business you want to pursue, you may need some additional funding beyond what you can afford. Establishing a relationship with a financial institution like Navy Federal Credit Union will help you learn more about small business loans and lending products that will help your small business grow. Bring your passion and your business plan - potential investors and financial institutions alike will want to see both before they make a decision.
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2021 WOMEN IN BUSINESS
312 E. St. Charles Rd., Villa Park, IL 60181 www.Taefutogo.com
630-832-2269 Hours: Mon., Wed., Thurs. & Sunday 11am-9pm Closed Tuesdays • Fri. & Sat. 11am-9:30pm
FREE
Spring Rolls
Since 1979
CHINESE MANDARIN RESTAURANT Carry Out / Delivery / Catering
On Order of $20 or more before tax. (Carry Out Only)
One offer per visit. Not valid with any other offers.
Birthday Entree of Chicken Lo Mein Noodle with 1pc spring roll OR 1pc crab Rangoon with a $15 purchase before tax. Must show ID for FREE Birthday Entree One offer per visit. Not valid with any other offers.
FREE
Crab Ragoon On Order of $35 or more before tax. (Carry Out Only)
One offer per visit. Not valid with any other offers.
394279
FREE
Small business, big opportunities Tips for women focused on managing their small businesses
Gift Cards Available
Tae Fu Restaurant Sherry Zeng is one of the owners of Tae Fu Restaurant in Villa Park. When she came to the United States, Sherry studied hard to get her real estate broker license in English and it was well worth it. She worked in real estate for several years and when she saw the opportunity to take over Tae Fu Restaurant, she did. Sherry is not new to the restaurant business. She learned how to run and manage two restaurants in her hometown in Chengdu, China. For ten years Sherry worked hard and learned the joys and hardships of running restaurants. Her goals remain the same: To give excellent customer service, to serve delicious food, and to ensure a clean, safe, and enjoyable environment to every customer. Customer satisfaction is very important to Sherry, so she wants every customer to have a wonderful experience when they come to Tae Fu. Sherry knows the importance of having high quality food so at Tae Fu she does not cut corners. She makes sure the ingredients are always fresh, healthy and from the best quality around. Sherry also enjoys teaching others how to cook authentic Chinese food. Tae Fu is a Chinese Mandarin Restaurant that serves a variety of meat and vegetarian meals. From Wednesday to Monday you can find Sherry working the phones, helping in the kitchen or greeting the customers. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. When Sherry is not working at Tae Fu, she enjoys gardening, spending time with her Chihuahua, Simba and going on nature walks. She also enjoys reading the local newspapers and reminiscing about the time she worked as a reporter for the Chinese newspaper in Chinatown in Chicago. If you have not eaten the savory, delicious Chinese food from Tae Fu, be sure to place an order for your next meal. Visit www.TaeFutogo.com or Call 630-832-2269.
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It’s no secret small businesses are essential to the economy. The latest U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners reported women owned 7.8 million businesses and accounted for 28.7 percent of all businesses nationwide. These small business firms generated $1.2 trillion in receipts. Given the challenges facing small businesses overall in this current economic climate, now more than ever women are navigating work-life demands, business management and talent retention issues. In fact, women are more concerned about virtually every economic factor than men, including the effectiveness of government leaders (76 percent vs. 73 percent), commodities prices (76 percent vs. 70 percent) and healthcare costs (75 percent vs. 66 percent), says the recent Bank of America Small Business Owner Report, a semi-annual study exploring the concerns, aspirations and perspectives of small business owners nationwide. The report also revealed that running a small business causes owners – both men and women – three times as much stress as raising children and twice as much stress as maintaining a healthy relationship with a spouse or partner. However, women do not give themselves the free time that men do – 62 percent compared to 53 percent. “Small business owners are constantly making sacrifices and prioritizing the success of their business over other personal priorities in their lives, but there are some simple ways to maintain a better work-life balance,” says Steve Strauss, small business expert and USA TODAY columnist. Strauss offers the following tips to managing the daily juggling act of owning a small business: Build a diverse support system While a vast majority of small business owners need some level of financial guidance, often in the form of occasional or ongoing expert advice, the report finds more women than men engage an accountant/bookkeeper (79 percent vs. 70
percent), a financial adviser (73 percent vs. 65 percent) or banker (52 percent vs. 47 percent) to help them run their businesses. Resources such as these can expand your network, provide essential professional support and keep you current on relevant trends. Use tech tools and resources available to you According to the Bank of America Small Business Owner Report women are actually more likely than men to view technology as a useful cash management tool. For example, female small business owners are more likely to view online banking (78 percent vs. 67 percent of their male counterparts) or direct payments (46 percent vs. 35 percent of males) as helpful in managing their small business. Electronic invoicing, online payroll services and mobile banking are other resources that can help. If you’re not already using these types of tools, be sure to speak with your financial institution about how to better manage your finances and improve efficiency.
Boost your competitive edge in the war for talent The financial benefits you offer current and potential employees can be a dealmaker or deal breaker. The good news is that small businesses now have access to 401(k) and IRA products designed specifically for their needs and budgets. For example, Merrill Edge Small Business 401(k) is designed for small businesses’ unique needs and offers a simplified, easy-to-manage retirement plan with lower costs than many traditional 401(k) plans, enabling owners to provide an important benefit to their employees. Offering these benefits is more important for women particularly when coupled with the cultural and work-life balance perks that often make small businesses attractive to employees, and they can boost your competitive edge. With the right expertise and tools, small business owners can be equipped to improve their work-life balance. For more information, visit www. bankofamerica.com/smallbusiness, smallbusinessonlinecommunity. bankofamerica.com/index.jspa and ahead. bankofamerica.com/fueling-the-economy/ bank-of-america-releases-inauguralsmall-business-owner-report/.
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Women in Business A publication of Rock Valley Publishing LLC
Section Editor: Dee Longfellow Page Design: Jen DeGroot • Creative Director: Heidi Schulz Advertising Director: Debbie Hamilton
For advertising opportunities in our weekly newspapers or other special publications, please call (630) 834-8355
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2021 WOMEN IN BUSINESS
European Wax Center Karen Previti is proud owner of three European Wax Center locations and says now is the perfect time to try waxing and make it a part of your personal care routine. “Starting a waxing regimen in spring is ideal because it takes 2-3 growth cycles to get your hair on the same cycle. Once you get into a regular waxing routine, results will last longer between reservations.” Waxing frees up time in your busy schedule! Spend less time on daily hair removal and enjoy smooth skin for weeks at a time. Waxing, once considered a luxury, is more affordable than ever. “We offer packages and flexible payment plans,” says Previti, “allowing more people to feel confident and afford waxing service”. We always ensure high sanitation standards to keep guests and employees as safe as possible. European Wax Center uses a proprietary Comfort Wax® unavailable elsewhere. The four-step process each Wax Specialist follows will prepare, protect, and pamper your skin. Thinking about trying a wax? Your first wax at European Wax Center is free!* Be sure to let your hair grow at least a quarter of an inch before your first visit. *Call 630-394-4484 for details on specific free and discounted offers or visit waxcenter.com KAREN PREVITI Bloomingdale | Elmhurst | Naperville East | 630-394-4484 | waxcenter.com EUROPEAN WAX CENTER PHOTOGRAPHY By Firefly Nights Photography
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2021 WOMEN IN BUSINESS
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It’s been a rough year, but Jack and I are so grateful to still be here. We want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of our clients and friends who have given their support and kept us going through some very challenging times. When we opened our business in 2003 we knew it could be a roller coaster ride, but we had no idea what we were in for. Aside from the normal business headaches, shortly after opening the business I began having serious medical issues which made running the business very difficult and I almost didn’t survive - but I did! Having pushed through those difficult times things started to look promising but a few years later both Jack and I were run over by a car leaving us with numerous injuries and unable to work. We managed to keep the business going and overtime Jack and I got back to normal - somewhat. In February 2021, Jack was diagnosed with a brain tumor for the second time, (20 years ago Jack was diagnosed with a brain tumor and now it has returned). We were both devastated. We made it through the Covid shutdown and now this.
Again, we shut the business down in order for Jack to have his surgery and recover. The overwhelming stress and despair was almost unbearable, but with the help of good friends, great clients and even complete strangers, we were able to overcome yet another hurdle. We are thrilled that Jack is doing very well and we reopened our business on May 1st. Having overcome unbelievable odds over and over, we believe God has a specific plan for our lives and maybe it’s to help people as we have for years through our business. Whatever the reason, we are forever grateful and hope we can continue to help people for many years to come.
17W745 Butterfield Rd. Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
630-627-1120
www.dynamicstrengthexercise.com
Bloomingdale • Elmhurst • Naperville East www.waxcenter.com
First-time guests receive a complimentary eyebrow, nose, ear, underarm or binkini line or 50% off a Brazilian service.
Don’t Spend Summer Working Out In The Gym - Get Fit In Just 20 Minutes 2 Times A Week At Dymanic Strength, with our unique approach to exercise you greatly improve your overall fitness in less than one hour a week! With just two (2) sessions per week of 20-minutes each, you too can achieve the amazing results that our clients have experienced. You can expect to lose body fat and inches, gain tons of muscular strength, improve your energy level, rev-up metabolism, increase bone density and a whole lot more! You will not only feel better than ever, you will also feel great about the way you look! This form of exercise is great for men and women of just about any age. The unique workout consists of a special type of strength training. You will be supervised very closely by a strength trainer who will guide and encourage you through 5-6 different exercises. The movement is extremely slow and precise. This approach delivers the most concentrated amount of exercise in a very brief period of time. After you have completed your session, you will have thoroughly exercised your entire body (and did we mention that you did it in only 20 minutes?).
This form of training is also the safest way to train with weights. People having difficulty exercising due to previous injuries or muscle strain can usually get great results using the Slow Motion Method.
enough so that our bodies respond and make positive changes! At Dynamic Strength, our slow-motion strength training has dramatically improved the overall health and fitness level of many of our clients!
The facility is also very different from what you would expect. It is not a “gym.” The setting is very private and quiet - there are no mirrors, no music or any other distractions allowing for total concentration. It is also kept very cool with circulating air to prevent overheating (sweating).
So, if you are the least bit curious, call us at 630-627-1120 for a complimentary introductory session and see for yourself why Dynamic Strength has made such a difference in so many people’s lives!
It may sound too good to be true but it’s just a sensible, scientific approach to exercise. By moving in a very slow, precise manner your muscles are working every single second without relaxing or “unloading” from the weight. This gives more exercise in 20 minutes than you could get by working-out for hours in the gym. You’ll be amazed, it really works! Ask any of our clients why they keep coming! Remember, exercise does not need to dominate all of your time to be effective. It needs to be stimulating
Nicki Casale is the owner of Dynamic Strength, Oakbrook Terrace, IL. Ms. Casale is a personal fitness trainer with over 25 years of fitness and nutrition experience. Session pricing ranges
394614
357 S. Route 83 • Elmhurst • 630-394-4484
from $35-$45 per session. Sessions are sold in packages. There are no membership fees. Since each of our clients receive individualized attention, sessions are by appointment only.
17W745 Butterfield Rd. Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 www.dynamicstrengthexercise.com
630-627-1120
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2021 WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Hitting the glass ceiling Women’s pay still lags behind male counterparts
Women are leaving careers in the United States at a faster pace than other countries. Family, financial flexibility needs rank high on reasons why. STOCK PHOTO Women in Business
Women declining in workforce At its peak in 1999, the American workforce was dominated by female workers. At that time, 76 percent of women, including those who had children at home, worked outside of the home, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The tides have since shifted, and rates of female employment in the United States now fall well behind many European countries. Economic woes, a short supply of middle-class jobs and minimal family leave may have prompted the changes. According to a study from researchers at Johns Hopkins University, single women without children have actually driven the turnaround. Technology and international outsourcing have removed many low-skill, well-paying jobs from the workforce. Wages for work in healthcare services, laundry and social assistance – jobs dominated by women – have remained relatively stagnant for years. Despite this, the cost of living has steadily crept up. Other households tout the high cost of childcare and the relatively small amount of maternity leave allowed in the United States as reasons why they haven’t returned to the workforce after having children. The economic analysis resource The Upshot, powered by The New York Times, reports that many
American companies give 12 weeks of maternity leave (largely unpaid), while most European countries give a year of paid leave and offer protections for parttime workers who want to return to the workforce. According to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Australia, Germany, and France now outrank the U.S. in prime-age women’s labor force participation. The role women play as caregivers, not only for their own children or spouses, but for aging parents, also may be contributing to females dropping out of the labor force. A chronic-needs family member, such as a parent with dementia, can take away focus from employment. This can quickly result in a loss of a job. Employers interested in keeping talented women in the workforce can change corporate policies to reflect changes in modern society, including higher divorce rates, college debt and the higher cost of living. Flexibility in schedules, modernized work environments that focus on mobile connectivity from home and lack of negative repercussions for needing family time can help keep talented female employees working.
Fans of the CBS hit television show “The Big Bang Theory” may have learned that, in 2014, the five original cast members renegotiated their salaries to earn $1 million per episode. The original cast – largely male – includes Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar and Kaley Cuoco. Two actresses later joined the show, becoming mainstays of the comedy. However, newcomers Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch haven’t earned nearly as much as their costars for years. Recently, the original actors agreed to take a pay cut so that Bialik and Rauch could earn more. Unfortunately, the scenario that played out with “The Big Bang Theory” cast is not an anomaly. Whether in Hollywood or elsewhere, many women still earn less than their male counterparts. Although the gender pay gap has been getting steadily smaller, women still earn roughly $.80 to every $1 earned by men in both the United States and Canada, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Statistics Canada, respectively. Women’s Policy Research says that, if current trends continue, females will not match males in pay until 2059. Race and age also play a role in the disparity in pay between males and females, with Asian American women earning around 90 percent of what white men do, and Hispanic or Latina women earning about 54 percent of what white men earn, according to a 2016 report from The American Association of University Women. The biggest wage gap by industry in the United States is in the financial and insurance sector. Even though women account for more than half of all employees in these industries, the BLS in 2015 reported that they earn only about $.60 for every $1 men earn. The industry closest to salary parity is construction, where the difference in pay is a few cents. Some states are closing the gap faster than others. The AAUW policy analysts found that the states with the smallest gaps are New York, California and Florida. Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, and Utah are states with substantial gaps. The news is similar in Canada. Updated figures, compiled from Statistics Canada data, show the pay gap exists in every province and in every major occupational group. Furthermore, the disparity in annual earnings between men and women has barely moved over the last 20 years, even as education levels among women have surpassed those of men. STEM-based careers remain the best avenue for women to reach near-parity in pay, as science-backed careers seem to offer the closest in comparable pay, according to the BLS. Although the gender pay gap is closing slowly, society still has a way to go before women are earning as much as their male counterparts.
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(METRO CREATIVE) STOCK PHOTO Women in Business
2021 WOMEN IN BUSINESS
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Rita Borzym
Financial Advisor
MKT-1952G-A
188 W Industrial Dr Suite 108 Elmhurst, IL 60126-1623 630-530-0427
edwardjones.com Member SIPC
394605
Rita Borzym, Financial Advisor 188 W. Industrial Dr. Suite 108 Elmhurst, IL 60126 630-530-0427
The Life Well-Lived. In the end, that is what we all want. If you’re goal is to help others in need then you commit yourself to being that type of resource. If faith is your passion, there is a certain joy in the sharing of it. If providing opportunities for the next generation is your goal, you sacrifice for their greater good. Our purposes are critical to understand before any discussion of finances can come into the picture. Or, as the Cheshire Cat pronounced: ‘If you don’t know where you’re going, any path will do.” As a financial advisor, I’ve learned that with money come opportunities –and there is a responsibility to craft goals for one’s self and one’s family to achieve that more enjoyable life. I can help. Growing up in a large family, one learns to navigate life and make the most of every opportunity. Passion is important. My father’s was flying – he opened a fixed
base operation and shared with us his love for flight. Working in the family business taught me that the most important person is your client. My passion is helping people ‘earn their wings’ by achieving their dreams. Whether it’s planning for retirements, saving for the education of your children or grandchildren, gifting to a charity or protecting against the rising cost of health care, I’ll take the time to understand your needs and offer personalized solutions for each of your specific goals. And yes, I have my instrument rating and safety is top priority: Series 7, 66, MBA, Life, Long-Term Care insurance representative. Let me help you hear the tower, clear the path and get your financial dreams soaring!
R
achel Gregersen owns Beyond Shades Custom Window Treatments. With many years in the interior fashion industry, and more than a decade on the executive team of one of America’s largest retailers, she saw an opportunity to create a customer-centric shopping experience for shades, shutters, blinds, and drapery. Her Hunter Douglas Gallery and showroom is one of the most successful in the nation. Her team services all of Chicagoland from their Elmhurst shopat-home office and Oak Brook store. Beyond Shades invites homeowners and Interior Designers to shop where you want, when you want, in your home or in their Oak Brook showroom that is open 7 days a week. Beyond Shades is happy to do one room or an entire home. Rachel lives in Elmhurst with her husband and two children. When she is not busy at work with Beyond Shades, she enjoys her family and friends, traveling, photography, and supporting various causes.
2021 WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Beautiful Window Coverings. Impeccable Service. Amazing Value. Beyond Shades is a womenowned business offering shades, privacy sheers, interior shutters, horizontal and vertical blinds, drapery and curtains, valance and top treatments, wallpaper and favrics to the greater Chicagoland area.
FREE INSTALLATION Orders over $1500. Must mention ad. Expires 12/31/21
Rachel Gregersen, owner of Beyond Shades and daughter, Eva.
Check out our 5 star reviews on Google.
Visit our showroom in Oak Brook. Open 7 days a week.
17W508 22nd Street, Oak Brook
630-387-9974 Bshades.com
394274
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