Business. Casually.

Brittney Kaluzny joined me to talk about some of the work she does with her Hope Helps foundation. I'm honored that the busiest person I know took time to have a little chat. We also chatted on beekeeping, home schooling, and where she would start if she had to downsize her life. Chances are that you know Brittney or of her work, and it's certain that if that isn't already the case that you will want to in about a half hour. 

Chad White is the owner of Influence Salon in Morris. Today we chat about going to nursing school, leaving nursing school to start beauty school, wig making, and his idea of perfect happiness. 

This week’s guest is the very busy Carrie Tinucci-Troll. Carrie is the first REALTOR I’ve had on. And while she is a great, highly endorsed REALTOR at Lori Bonarek Realty, we don’t talk about that too much. We DO talk about going from a big high school to a small college, studying abroad in Spain (and getting bed bugs while there), and what she thinks about on the rare times she’s alone in the car.

Today I sat down with Chef Jacob Larson. We joined our chat already in progress right after talking about podcasts joining in progress. We talk about getting into the culinary world, get the rundown on Rogue Farm to Curbside Kitchen, his pet pigs, and find out which three celebrities he'd invite to a dinner party. It's the longest episode to date but never drags.  

Jacqueline Arroyo is one of the co-owners of Rogue Farm to Curbside Kitchen food tuck. Today we talk about why she would move from San Diego to Coal City, her pet pigs, and what kind of salad dressing she would be (you know, if she HAD to be salad dressing). Enjoy Jacqueline!

This week’s guest is Christy Kelly of Rodan and Fields (christykelly.myrandf.biz). Christy is ridiculously positive, both in-person and in her social media presence and is definitely someone you want to listen to and follow. Today we talk about what it was like to move to Coal City from Westmont just as she started high school, how she got in (and out) of the dental industry, and her love of Very Cavallari.

Christina Van Yperen is the director of the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce. Today we chat on her career in journalism, get the details on what her job at the Chamber entails (and what a Chamber of Commerce does), talk about being a travel bug, and find out if she’s a hunter or a gatherer. The answer may surprise! Enjoy Christina.

Sarah Beach is the second generation owner of Sunshine Garden Center in Diamond (2850 Division, to be precise). Today we talk a little bit about what it was like growing up in a small business environment and what led Sarah to get into the family business. I try, somewhat unsuccessfully, to pin down all the things she’s involved with outside of work but I succeed in stumping her on a couple Batman related questions. If you know Sarah, you know that her sidekick, Liv, is usually around. Today was no different and she added some spice to this episode!

Craig Smith, along with his mom, is part of the dynamic duo that runs Rolando’s Furniture and Appliances which has operated in some form in Coal City since 1960 when it was Western Auto. Craig was recently awarded an Entrepreneur of the Year award through Grundy County Chamber of Commerce. Today we talk about his music background and botched scholarship, why he came back to town, what he's doing in his free time these days, and find out what you really want to know; whether he prefers cats or dogs. 

Katie Ludes is a reading specialist for grades 2-5 in Coal City for Coal City Unit #1. She is also my wife and mother of my three children. Business. Casually. sat down and talked, somewhat awkwardly, about who she is, how she got to where she did, and just what the heck a reading specialist does. And we find out that she has an irrational dislike for Wyoming.