Bridging Chicago

To try and introduce Lou Sandoval is quite a task, given his wealth of experience and skill in many different areas. Lou is a fascinating personality and native of Chicago’s south-east side, who over time has been a professional in pharmaceuticals, an entrepreneur, a diversity coach and now an author! In this episode of the podcast, Lou shares about what it was like growing up in Chicago, being educated here, and what was most important to him as he started life as an adult in the city. An entrepreneur by nature, Lou gives some great thoughts for young entrepreneurs and how he was able to stick it out and create something that had value. Lou collected these thoughts and pieces of advice into his new book, Tenacity for Life: Lessons in Life, Business and the World. Lou’s experience (and failures) is absolutely a valuable resource for everyone, regardless of where you are at in life and your career.

Reading in Motion is a nonprofit organization that is leveling up reading in Chicago by creating exciting, creative methods to help students read at their level or a level higher! They know that students who are unable to read by third grade are unlikely to catch up, so they come alongside teachers to stand in the gap and enjoy reading on their own! Working in small groups to coach these kids drives the arts-infused mission of Reading in Motion to meet the kids where they’re at and how they learn. Thank you to Lauren, Avo and Brenda for joining us to share all about how Reading in Motion is acting as a partner in education to make reading fun!

Today Dr. Jordan Carqueville, President of the Chicago Dermatological Society joins the podcast to share about her work with the association and important health concerns for everyone as we dive into summer! Dr. Carqueville also shares about how she created the upcoming Art of Skin Gala and why it's helping spread the word about skin cancer. She notes that under the surface our skin is more similar than we realize and those similarities speak volumes to how we see each other and care for our skin.

Tomy Sanchez is a long-time veteran of Chicago personal care services. After gaining experience at a prominent salon on Michigan Avenue, Tomy struck out on her own with the goal of creating an unparalleled salon experience on Chicago’s south west side. These days, Tomy operates her nail salon, Simone’s Nail Lounge, and she runs it her way. With her deep Chicago roots, Tomy believes in supporting her community by offering other small businesses’ products in her Lounge and serving as a resource for other women business owners. Tune in to this episode to hear about Tomy’s entrepreneurial journey!

As a self-proclaimed “refugee” of the corporate world, Robert Finkel brings to the table decades of experience working in venture capitalism and private investment for his most recent undertaking—brew pubs. What started as a personal passion shared with colleagues to give them a taste of the craft beer experience, Robert has constructed into a successful grouping of botanical brew pubs, known as Forbidden Root, in which Robert’s team of alchemists join classic ingredients to create innovative flavors. Quench your thirst for imaginative entrepreneurism on this episode!

This week’s guest, Megan Roudebush, is more than a networking expert. She is an entrepreneur who knows that the people you surround yourself with are essential to growing, leading, and creating change in the world around you. As young as 10 years old, Megan wanted to be a lawyer, and took the opportunity to interview some amazing leaders. This helped fuel her passion for connecting people, and led her to today, where she and her team have just launched the keepwith app. This networking app is a new way to connect with each other, built to create impactful, reciprocal relationships. Check out the keepwith app today!

Leslie Vickrey is truly the definition of a leader. A CEO, founder, author and so much more, Growing up throughout Michigan before eventually moving to Chicago, Leslie's passion and values have led her to start her own company that has inspiring loyalty as a core value. Leslie and the Lady Leaders Book Club have co-authored Together We Rise, a book the recounts the stories of 15 female leaders. Leslie's journey is sure to motivate you to look for the leader within you.

This week's episode was an amazing reminder of why we at Bridging Chicago decided to start a podcast. Chicago Cares and Teamwork Englewood is a partnership that is making a real difference in Chicago and the lives of individuals and families. Both these organizations are focused on providing resources to empower people in Chicago's south and west sides. Their partnership means that more people in Chicago will not only care for themselves and their families, but they will thrive in doing so.

In this episode you'll meet Victoria Cejka, one of SATC|Law's newest attorneys in our estate planning department. Victoria grew up in Arizona and moved to Chicago for law school. Despite being an Arizona transfer, the cold hasn't bothered Victoria, even after she survived the polar vortex in her first winter! Since coming to the firm, Victoria has proven herself to be a dedicated attorney who is continuing to learn while advising her clients. Visit satclaw.com to find out how to connect with Victoria.

Dr. Cynthia Tucker has spent her whole life and work in Chicago and has fond memories of growing up on the city’s south-side. Almost 17 years ago she began working with the AIDS Foundation Chicago and is continuing the work to help women navigate and get access to care, find housing that works for their families and give them access to important social services. Cynthia and her team are working to help resource black, transgender women who are seeing injustice and violence at an unbelievable rate. The AIDS Foundation Chicago has many programs that help a diverse population that is helping lift Chicagoan's into a safer, more empowered and equal future.