I am Consciously Curious

Our next guest has been a tech recruiter for over 10 years and how he became one is a funny story. Last year he started a chex mix based snack brand that’s typically seen in Hawaiian households. The three flavors they have are The OG (Furikake), Bean (Vanilla), and Rooster (Sriracha). Only a few months after a successful launch, he approached Francis Almeda (Side Practice Coffee) with an idea for a musubi pop up at SPC. That idea eventually became Kanin which should be opening soon next door to SPC. Please enjoy my conversation with Julius Tacadena. 

https://instagram.com/krackishsnackco
https://instagram.com/kanin.chi
https://instagram.com/kuya.julz
https://krackishsnackco.com/

Support our friends:

If you’d like to try some of the kombucha we have on the show, head over to drinkrmbr.com and use the code, CURIOUS10 at checkout for 10% off. Enjoy!

Amin returns to reflect on life and how his side hustle of operating “Chicago Food Guide” has grown over the last year. From adding on team team members to CFG, new collaborations with athletes, and providing new services like influencer marketing and food photography, Amin manages to balance his side hustle alongside being a full time ESL teacher for grades 9-12 and becoming a new dad. We reflected on fatherhood, creating dinner parties, and what could be next for Chicago Food Guide. Please enjoy my conversation with Amin Tomalieh.

https://instagram.com/chicago.food.guide
https://www.chicagofoodguide.info/

Support the show:

If you’d like to try some of the kombucha we have on the show, head over to drinkrmbr.com and use the code, CURIOUS10 at checkout for 10% off. Enjoy!

Our next guest has been creating cookie-cracker crisps that have been passed down from her grandmother, Carolyn. Amie was inspired to make these crisps after having a hard time finding snacks that fit her needs and had the taste she was looking for. These crisps are gluten free, vegan, and soy free. She has a variety of flavors from sweet to savory and is now even producing bark which is partially inspired by not wanting the broken crisps to go to waste. She reflects on her previous life as an Art Director for various companies, receiving positive feedback after sharing the initial iterations of the crisps, as well as her experiences with Foxtrot abruptly closing and then reopening. She’s got some exciting projects and activations coming up so give her a follow if you’re interested. Please enjoy my conversation with Amie Kesler.

https://www.carolynskrisps.com/
https://www.instagram.com/carolynskrisps/

Support the show:

If you’d like to try some of the kombucha we have on the show, head over to drinkrmbr.com and use the code, CURIOUS10 at checkout for 10% off. Enjoy!

Our next guest makes our current favorite ice cream! Handmade and small batch pints with some of the most creative flavor combinations we’ve heard of. She shares some of her earliest memories with ice cream, journey through hospitality, and how she brought Ice Cream Girl Co to life. I appreciate her sense of adventure! We spent some time reflecting on some of her travels and how she navigated the pandemic while abroad. Please enjoy my conversation with Sarah Cochran.

https://icecreamgirlco.com
https://instagram.com/icecreamgirlco

Support our supporters:

If you’d like to try some of the kombucha we have on the show, head over to drinkrmbr.com and use the code, CURIOUS10 at checkout for 10% off. Enjoy!

Our next guest is the Director of Partnerships and Communications at DishRoulette Kitchen. A nonprofit that provides financial assistance and entrepreneurship education to small businesses no matter where they are in their journey. Their most notable case study is the beloved Rubi’s tacos by the Ramirez family. The impact of creating a consistently profitable and sustainable business is far-reaching and DRK is empowering families to create generational wealth. Please enjoy my conversation with Chris Cole.

Learn more:
https://www.instagram.com/dishroulettekitchen
https://www.dishroulettekitchen.com/
https://canvasrebel.com/meet-jackson-flores/
https://www.instagram.com/byanymeans_86

Support the show:
If you’d like to try some of the kombucha we have on the show, head over to drinkrmbr.com and use the code, CURIOUS10 at checkout for 10% off. Enjoy!

Our next guest is an indie baker who has generated quite the buzz around his bread and pastries. What started as an outlet in the pandemic has blossomed into a full time career. His journey is an example of being right where you need to be at that very moment as well as being ready when opportunity strikes. I deeply appreciate how he’s always stayed true to what he wants to do. Please enjoy my conversation with Daniel Koester.

https://danthebakerchicago.com
https://instagram.com/danthebakerchicago

Support the show:

If you’d like to try some of the kombucha we have on the show, head over to drinkrmbr.com and use the code, CURIOUS10 at checkout for 10% off. Enjoy!

Our next guest is the Founder of Pink Salt; a Thai sauce company and pop-up series. What started as a food blog turned into a restaurant in a food hall but the pandemic forced a pivot into a pop-up series. Through the pop-ups, there was a demand for the sauce (chili jam) that is now known as Nam Prik Pao. We caught her in this major growth phase as she’s currently selecting a co-manufacturer. We talk about our Asian American experiences, journey to medical school, and the various peaks and valleys through her entrepreneurial journey. Please enjoy my conversation with Palita Sriratana. 

https://pinksaltkitchens.com/
https://www.instagram.com/hi.palita/
https://www.instagram.com/pinksaltkitchens/

Support the show:

If you’d like to try some of the kombucha we have on the show, head over to drinkrmbr.com and use the code, CURIOUS10 at checkout for 10% off. Enjoy!

Our next guests are the operators behind the New York slice shop in lakeview Chicago, Zaza’s Pizza as well as the two Nemec Brothers locations in the suburbs. In addition, they’re brothers with skill sets that complement each other. We dive into their individual and collective journeys with pizza, what makes their product standout, and how they’ve been able to expand so fast. They’re honest, gracious, and ambitious. Please enjoy my conversation with Chadd and Brett Nemec.

https://www.zazas-pizzeria.com/
https://www.instagram.com/zazaspizza/
https://www.instagram.com/nemecbrotherspizza/

Support the show:

If you’d like to try some of the kombucha we have on the show, head over to drinkrmbr.com and use the code, CURIOUS10 at checkout for 10% off. Enjoy!

Our next guest came on the podcast two years ago. It was our second time meeting back then. Fast forward to today and I’ve come to admire and look up to this wonderfully creative human being. We catch up on her residency in the Ambassador Hotel, some of the community activations we have brewing, and her experience curating her first Tedx Chicago Art show. She also recently took on the role of Creative Director for a house DJ, Monty Kiddo. Please enjoy my conversation with MKODJ.

https://www.instagram.com/emkayohdeej

Support the show:

If you’d like to try some of the kombucha we have on the show, head over to drinkrmbr.com and use the code, CURIOUS10 at checkout for 10% off. Enjoy!

Our next guest has built a career around promoting nightlife and cultivating unforgettable experiences. He shares his personal experiences into the industry and why he’s pivoting towards healing through self-inquiry and alternative retreats. Please enjoy my conversation with Eric Boss.

https://instagram.com/ericbosschicago