Inside The Chamber

Who's scared to talk the real-talk with their accountant? Or do you only share the good news with your bookkeeper? We at the Chamber know that cash is king, but talking about cash can be like wallowing in your own dirty laundry - nobody wants to deal with it, but it has to be done! BOSS Lady Julie Thompson knows what small business owners need and she's with us this week handing out free advice for her favorite clients - entrepreneurs. Join us and learn how going to confession with your accountant is a must for every business owner, how financial statements are like learning a whole new language. Cash is king baby and we want you to rule the roost. Listen to the BOSS and learn now!

Ever wonder what a forty-something, white, established business owner, with two kids has in common with a young, black, gay, chronically single, entrepreneur? Well, there's a lot of common ground discovered in this conversation with Oak Park Village Trustee Dan Moroney. Growing up in Oak Park and the shared legacy of being OPRF alums, these two Oak Parkers discuss social justice warriors, bad branding in the face of authentic politics, backing up passion with facts, and why we should vote for the Rock for president.

Phase 4 of reopening was a long time coming for our indoor fitness facilities and nobody knows it more than Jeff Long from FFC. Join us as we talk to the General Manager of the Oak Park location as he lets us in on how the network of eleven gyms have been impacted by the Covid shutdown, what one does in an empty gym for four months and the importance of this community to the success of his facility. You might even be inspired to start working out!"

Episode #10 | Crime, Fireworks & Systemic racism | Dan Haley (Part 2) by Oak Park and River Forest Chamber of Commerce

Hands up - who questions what they read and hear in the news these days? For Dan Haley, being a trusted source of information has been at the forefront for his over 40years of owning the local Wednesday Journal. Come and spend some time with Dan and learn about trust in news media, survival in a dying industry, and why every young person should see their name in print.

It's no secret that there are a few new highrises that have gone up in the past few years in Oak Park, but who is living in them and where are they coming from? Join us as we get to know Casey Gustafson, leasing agent for the new Eleven33 property on Oak Park's South Blvd. Casey will give us the inside scoop on what it's like to be a newcomer to Oak Park, about the hunger for high rise living and how our fabulous business organization gave Casey a community to call his own.

Our Village trustees have a lot to manage these days and River Forest Trustee Erika Bachner is no different. She has been a champion of minority rights for years and we were thrilled to have her join us in the studio to talk about advocating for undocumented members of our community, LGBTQ discrimination in the workplace and diversity in River Forest in the age of the BLM movement.

Liz Holt, Executive Director from our OPRF Chamber joins as a co-host to a chat with Jerome' Holston, the Executive Director of the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. There was a lot this June that co-opted Pride month, but we are taking it back and refocusing on what matters to us - engaging LGBT employees, getting certified as an LGBT business and how we all can support LGBT businesses in our community and throughout Chicagoland.

Ever wonder what happens when activism, passion and entrepreneurship intertwine? Join Darien as he talks to Reesheda Graham Washington, owner of L!VE Cafe and find out. They will unpack being Black in Business, the L!VISIBLE Business Coalition and living in a real-life revolution.

Though not consider ‘frontline workers’ Mental Health Professionals are dealing with this crisis head-on, literally. While helping their patients cope, they are also dealing with all the changes happening as well. Introducing new technology, dealing with employee issues, while also having to be present for there family. Sharing Unique viewpoints of all the craziness and highlighting strategies to coup and to be in the headspace to deal are the goals of this episode. Guests Vanessa Matheny from VOP Contracts Manager at Community Mental Health Board and Annie Arnold from Riveredge Hospital.