Noon Business Lunch

Segment 2: Philippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, joins John to talk about bosses experiencing ‘Déjà V-accine’ when it comes to vaccine enforcement at the office. This time, it’s not COVID, but measles.

Segment 2: Sari Wiaz, creator, Baby Paper, joins John to talk about her Chicago-area business making sensory toys for babies, how she came up with the idea for the business, the amount of product they sell, and the many ways tariffs have impacted their business.

Segment 3: Bryan Gerrish, Founder and CEO, Roanoke Hospitality Group, joins John to talk about how his hospitality business is powering the Chicago Loop’s revitalization. Bryan talks about the restaurants that are part of their portfolio, and why they are excited about having restaurant concepts in the Loop.

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media and Best Money Moves, joins John Williams to talk about what you should know ahead of tomorrow’s tax day deadline, and a new survey that shows 81% of potential home sellers think they will get their asking price or more.

Segment 2: Tyler Lowell, Managing Partner of Chicago-based CA Fortune, joins John to talk about what CA Fortune does, how they help consumer brands to market, the work done by their business intelligence team in helping retailers, and their upcoming Build event where emerging brands from around the country are coming to Chicago to pitch nationwide retailers “Shark Tank” style.

Segment 3: Tim O’Malley, CEO of Ateema, tells John everything we need to know about tomorrow’s hospitality and tourism summit taking place in Chicago!

Segment 1: Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to talk about the likelihood we see a recession this year, why investors are pausing right now, his expectation that he markets will remain volatile for some time, why he believes the market can regain its losses by the end of the year, consumer sentiment cratering, gold on track for best its week since 2020, the resiliency of the labor market and economy overall, and if believes now is a good time to invest in the market.

Segment 2: Scott Moran, President at Sutker Moran, joins John to talk about their business, what they provide to their clients, the high demand for CFO’s and how they fill that need for companies, and how companies are managing the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

Segment 3: Laura Gardner, Founder, Local Style, talks to John about the launch of new “Chicago Style Chips” flavored to taste like deep dish pizza, Italian beef, and Chicago-style hot dogs!

Segment 1: Steven Esposito, President of Yellowstone Wealth Management in Lake Forest, talks to John about the wild market swings the last couple of days, why we should not be emotional when thinking about our investments, if he expects another dramatic rally, how you can minimize losses, and the bargains you should keep an eye out for right now.

Segment 2: Bree Fowler, Senior Writer, CNET, joins John Williams to talk about Microsoft saying it’s “slowing or pausing” some of its data center construction, the latest news on TikTok, and Instagram users under 16 not being able to livestream or unblur nudity in direct messages they’ve received without parental approval.

Segment 3: Jeff Nydegger, co-founder and innovator, Jeff Buys Your House, talks to John about his time serving in the military, how he applied what he learned in the military to his business, how he started Jeff Buys Your House, the typical houses they buy, what they do once they purchase a home, how many houses they work with still have mortgages, how the real estate market is doing right now, the area they cover, and if they have any plans to expand beyond the Chicago area.

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

A big Chicago accounting and consulting firm is working on a merger that could push it into the industry’s top ten. Baker Tilly is in talks to merge with Seattle-based Moss Adams, according to multiple reports. If the deal goes through, it will create the sixth largest accounting and consulting firm with more than $3 billion in annual billings. Baker Tilly hasn’t commented on the reports by The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times. The firm has a professional staff of nearly 500 people. 

Also, the company that runs The Emily Hotel in Chicago’s Fulton Market is planning to open a new restaurant in the Loop.

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams and the two react in real-time as news breaks of a 90-day pause in most tariffs and a resulting rapid climb in markets, including a gain of over 2,000 points in the Dow Jones Industrial Average in a matter of minutes. Plus, the latest on President Trump’s tariff plan, what tariffs will likely mean for inflation, and more on the volatility of the market today. And as always, Terry answers all of your financial questions.

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about why he’s expecting a hiring slowdown, how economic uncertainty is impacting the market, the importance of keeping connections, and his big belief in work ethic.

Segment 2: Dennis Rodkin, residential real estate reporter for Crain’s, joins John to talk about the impact that tariffs might have on the housing market, what could happen to interest rates, what to expect in the spring buying season, an Arizona mansion for sale with 290 pairs of Michael Jordan sneakers, and ex-Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks and Walter Jacobson selling their homes.

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media and Best Money Moves, joins John Williams to talk about the status of the economy right now, her thoughts on Friday’s labor report, the uncertainty over the markets and economy, if we are already in a recession, the wavering of the stock market, and the concern from people worried about their retirement accounts.

Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about the Trump administration exploring Fermilab and Argonne as potential spots to build AI data centers, a Chicago battery startup being named on of TIME’s top greentech companies in the world, and ServiceNow acquiring a Chicago AI sales startup.

Segment 3: Nicole Warren, Development Manager, Juvenile Protective Association (JPA) joins John to talk about what JPA does, their mission to bring resources to children in need, and their new initiative, the WeRock (We Reach Out to Chicago’s Kids) Program.

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

Chicago’s hometown airline is making a play for the loyalty customers of competing airlines. According to Crain’s, a new campaign launched by United Airlines is trying to get travelers to switch to its Mileage Plus program and promises they can keep their frequent-flyer status if they move. United will match a flyer’s status for 120-days, and if the traveler books enough travel during that time, they keep their status level. United hopes to capitalize on a wave of popularity and beefed-up flight schedule. The airline’s CEO recently said United has made double-digit market share gains in Chicago bookings. 

Also, Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in the Chicago suburbs are both among potential locations for new data centers for artificial intelligence. Listen for more below:

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

The new CEO of Giordano’s is laying out his vision for the company. Nick Scarpino tells Crain’s, there are plans to open new locations, improve digital capabilities and enhance the menu. Scarpino, formerly Portillo’s chief marketing officer, joined Giordano’s late last year. His plans include a new app for online orders, a loyalty program and elevating tavern-style pizza on the Giordano’s menu. He says a new tavern-style pizza with a thinner crust will be rolled out later this year.

Also, the merger of Discover Financial Services and Capital One appears to have cleared a regulatory hurdle. Listen for more below: