Making Work Better: Employment Law & Workplace Challenges

In this episode of "Tales from Around the Water Cooler," Karen Spears, Owner of Kareracter and Co-Founder and COO of Let's Vibe, L3C, shares her journey through entrepreneurship as a 23-year-old business owner. She voices her drive in creating and operating her design and women development businesses. Kristen and Karen discuss the strategy and risks needed to cultivate a successful business as women entrepreneurs. Karen's mission across both of her businesses is to creating a world of possibility for women in design in entrepreneurship.

Get connected with Karen!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karennspears/

Website: https://www.karespears.com/about

Kareracter: http://www.kareracter.com/

Let's Vibe: https://www.letsvibe.org/

In this episode of "Tales from Around the Water Cooler," Michael Ziri, Director of Public Policy at Equality Illinois, shares his passion for advancing the rights and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Illinoisans. Kristen and Michael discuss pending legislation that affirms LGBTQ people in areas such as employment and education. Michael also provides insight into his current efforts with Equality Illinois to provide civic engagement opportunities and resources to various community organizations. Michael advises community members to advocate for causes they are passionate about by leaning in, getting involved, and telling their stories.

Get connected with Michael Ziri and Equality Illinois!

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.equalityillinois.us/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichaelZiri

Stay informed with pressing Illinois legislation!

The Inclusive Curriculum Bill (SB 3249) http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GA=100&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=3249&GAID=14&SessionID=91&LegID=111033

The status of the IHRA Employment Bill (HB 4752):

https://www.equalityillinois.us/about-us/press-releases/equality-illinois-condemns-gov-rauners-veto-of-legislation-that-would-strengthen-illinois-non-discrimination-protections-in-the-workplace/

In this episode of "Tales from Around the Water Cooler," #1 Best Selling Author, Certified Financial Planner™, and Owner of Lake Growth Financial Services, provides insight on the importance of investing in your financial future. Mark shares his journey of working in the financial services industry and secrets he's uncovered along the way. He and Kristen discuss strategies to work towards retirement and even "mini retirements."

Get connected with Mark Willis!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marklakegrowth/

Website: http://lakegrowth.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LakeGrowth

Mark's Reading List

Connect with Mark to receive a copy of his #1 Best Seller, The Secret to Lifetime Financial Security: https://www.amazon.com

Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant by Robert T. Kiyosaki: https://www.amazon.com

Debt the First 5,000 Years by David Graeber: https://www.amazon.com

In this episode of "Tales from Around the Water Cooler," Karen Goldner, author, Managing Director of Established Business Services and Director of the Illinois SBDC at the Women's Business Development Center, shares her experiences in helping women launch and grow businesses. As the number of women-owned businesses continues to rapidly grow, Karen and Kristen discuss common challenges women entrepreneurs face in managing their businesses, and they share strategies to persevere.

Get connected to Karen Goldner!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karengoldner/

Website: https://www.wbdc.org/2016/03/04/karen-goldner/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kgoldner?lang=en

Check out Karen's novels, Passing Semis in the Rain: A Tina Johnson Adventure

and Heavy Traffic: A Tina Johnson Adventure!

https://www.amazon.com/Karen-Goldner/e/B01MZDPPW8

About Karen Goldner:

Karen Goldner is Managing Director of Established Business Services and Director of the Illinois SBDC at the Women's Business Development Center. She leads the WBDC's established business practice, providing counseling to established businesses including certified Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), as well as startup and emerging entrepreneurs.

Her passion is helping entrepreneurs reach their dreams.

Karen has spent twenty years working with, in and for small businesses. She has worked in for-profit and non-profit early stage investment organizations, including creating and managing the first for-profit technology-focused angel fund in Northeast Indiana.

Karen served as Interim President of a $6 million defense manufacturer that was owned by her investors. Prior to that, she managed a community development loan program for the City of Fort Wayne, and served as Fort Wayne's Director of Economic Development.

Karen earned her Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Nebraska.

How to utilize outplacement services to make smooth career transitions with Andrew Challenger.

In this episode of "Tales from Around the Water Cooler," learn from Andrew Challenger, Vice President of Business Development for Challenger, Gray & Christmas, as he teaches us about outplacement services, and the value they can provide for your next career move, as well as industry misconceptions. Andrew and Kristen share the benefits of career transition services for both employers and employees who strive to move forward from workforce reductions and separations or avoid ongoing litigation. As a former client of outplacement services, Andrew shares the importance of working with a coach to land your next big position in record time.

Keep up with Andrew Challenger and his work in the outplacement industry!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewchallenger/

Website: http://www.challengergray.com/

Fortune: http://fortune.com/2018/07/18/metoo-office-romance-workplace-policy/

LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-retailers-seasonal-hiring-20180722-story.html

New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/13/your-money/summer-job-students.html

Bio

Andrew M. Challenger is Vice President of Business Development at Challenger, Gray & Christmas and is responsible for managing key relationships, implementing outplacement programs, and facilitating executive coaching projects. Prior to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Andrew was an Associate Director of Business Development at an alternative investment platform focused on hedge funds and commodity trading advisors, which was ranked the fastest growing company in Chicago in 2011 (Crain's Fast 50).

Andrew is a member of the Auxiliary Board of the Art Institute of Chicago and co-chair of the organization's flagship Treasure Hunt event, originally run by Maggie Daley. He also sits on the Auxiliary Board's nominating committee. Andrew also sits on the membership committee of the Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC), the oldest HR membership organization in the U.S.

Andrew previously moderated, and is a current member of, a Chicago chapter Young Adult Forum (YAF). He is also a founding member of the Chicago YPO Next Generation (YNG) committee, which organizes educational, social, and philanthropic events for sons and daughters of YPO/WPO members.

Andrew graduated from Miami University with a degree in Economics and earned his minor in French at the Université Paris Sorbonne (Paris IV).

In this episode of "Tales from Around the Water Cooler," President & CEO of NTC and Solésence. Jess Jankowski shares his path to becoming a CEO and the hard work required to lead a successful company and home life. He describes tough decisions he's made for the company, but also his priority of leading with emotion and fully engaging employees. Kristen and Jess also discuss the "ownership v. victim mentality" – how owning your choices and putting forth effort will better prepare you for career elevation.

Connect with Jess Jankowski and learn more about NTC and Solésence!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-jankowski

Website: http://nanophase.com/

Email: [email protected]

Check out The Gray Rhino, authored by Michele Wucker:

https://wucker.com/writing/the-gray-rhino/

https://www.amazon.com/Gray-Rhino-Recognize-Obvious-Dangers/

About Jess Jankowski

Mr. Jankowski is President & CEO of NTC, and Solésence. Both companies operate in the healthcare space as either FDA-regulated developers and manufacturers of active ingredients, or formulated finished products for protection against skin damage.

Mr. Jankowski helped take NTC public via IPO in 1997, then serving as CFO from 1999 to 2009, and CEO since 2009. NTC has had several significant strategic partnerships with leaders in their fields such as BASF, DOW, and Altana Chemie, which have allowed access to worldwide distribution channels. During his tenure, he has been instrumental in raising approximately $90 million in capital through venture, public, strategic and private funding vehicles.

Mr. Jankowski holds a B.S. from Northern Illinois University, an M.B.A. from Loyola University of Chicago, and is a regular participant in the Kellogg Corporate Governance Conference.

In addition to serving on the board of directors of Nanophase, Mr. Jankowski has served on a series of commercially-focused and non-profit boards. He is an active member of the Economic Club of Chicago.

In this episode of "Tales from Around the Water Cooler," Kristen and Founder of VRM Intel Amy Hinote, discuss the pains and pleasures of becoming successful female entrepreneurs in a predominately male space. Amy shares lessons learned from leading a thriving company, as well as her many successes. She also discusses having a life coach, becoming a team player, gaining respect from her male peers, and embracing the stereotype of being an emotional leader.

Connect with Amy Hinote and her Life Coach, Althea McIntyre!

Twitter: @AmyMutual

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amymutual/

Website: http://www.vrmintel.com/

Life Coach, Althea McIntyre: http://www.thebestcareerforme.com/

Amy Hinote is the founder of VRM Intel, which provides news, information, and resources for the professionally managed vacation rental industry; and VRM Market Data, which provides competitive market data for the rapidly expanding industry. With a background in finance and marketing, and over 14 years in the vacation rental industry, Amy has worked with property management companies, suppliers, intermediaries, and investors, and provides insider information about the growing vacation rental industry. Amy divides her time between Alabama's Gulf Coast and Chicago, Illinois.

In this episode of "Tales from Around the Water Cooler" Kristen and Dr. Toni Irving, Executive Director Get IN Chicago and former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, discuss how to navigate through different roles throughout your career to impact people and organizations. Dr. Irving and Kristen share insights and anecdotes on leading and building small organizations with fearless passion.

Connect with Dr. Irving to stay updated on her influence on the Chicago community!

Twitter: @toniirving

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-irving-44aaa635/

Website: http://toniirving.com/

Kristen and Mike Lauesen, business coach, former Founder and CEO of Nicoat, and author of Getting off the Treadmill discuss a few tools from his novel on how to shift your life in the right direction to embrace the joys of life. Kristen and Mike share insights and stories on how they create personal awareness to improve the quality of their personal and professional lives.

Mike's Toolkit:

• Pay attention to what is going on in your life and find balance.
• Slow down.
• Show gratitude.
• Take risks, but first take the time to evaluate and study the risks.

Check out Mike's website and book, Getting off the Treadmill. http://gettingoffthetreadmill.com/

Tales from Around the Watercooler digs into the world of the non-profit C-Suite with Mary Lee Montague, a top executive recruiter for non-profits as Managing Partner of DHR International's Nonprofit Division. In Episode #18, Mary Lee and Kristen discuss:

• The differences between non-profit and for-profit approaches to searching and hiring candidates.
• Why top candidates in non-profit and for-profit are looking for the same soft benefits.
• Success in crossing over from for-profit to non-profit and visa versa.
• Mistakes candidates make when interviewing and how to tell stories that are relevant to landing that next desired role.

Learn more about Mary Lee by visiting her page at DHR International http://www.dhrinternational.com/consultants/about-global-executive-search-consultants/mary-lee-montague/) and by connecting with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryleemontague/)