Tati’s Floral isn’t just a flower shop – it’s a symbol of love for Chicago’s South Side. Born in the middle of the pandemic, it started with a simple act of self-care. “I was feeling down because of… Keep reading
The Polsky Center and the entire University of Chicago community are mourning the loss of Edward Kaplan, MBA ’71, a visionary entrepreneur, generous philanthropist, and beloved member of the University community. Ed passed away on July… Keep reading
For more than two decades, Sara Gregory has been the head of Diversity Connected, a boutique consulting firm that specializes in operational excellence, project management, event execution, and data analytics. Over that time, the company has grown into… Keep reading
Launched in partnership with 37 Oaks, supported by GET Cities’ Tech Equity Working Group (now part of World Business Chicago), and with additional funding provided by Verizon, the E-Commerce Learning Lab gave ten Chicago-based entrepreneurs the tools and resources… Keep reading
https://polsky.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SBS-Chocolat-Uzma_final_compressed.mp4 Chocolat Uzma is a retail chocolate shop located in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood which specializes in handcrafted, exotic chocolates inspired by its founder’s South Asian culture. After years of working as a pastry chef, Uzma Sharif, founder, chef,… Keep reading
In a ceremony at the Polsky Exchange, mentors, sponsors, and participants gathered to celebrate the completion of the program, which expanded from 10 weeks to nine months this year. The Polsky Small Business Growth Program started in 2017… Keep reading
The Polsky Exchange is a startup incubator featuring work and meeting spaces, and a full calendar of programming and workshops designed to help entrepreneurs launch and grow their ventures. The Inclusive Innovation Fund has awarded the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship… Keep reading
Tequila Cooper-Shabazz (center) with Qui Solutions’ “Leadership Circle.” Qui Solutions – a global member-based remote staffing and consulting agency – wasn’t TeQuila Cooper-Shabazz’s first attempt at building a business. In fact, she had… Keep reading
Things in life often don’t just line up perfectly. But for Melinda Herron, founder of 103 Collection – an eco-beauty company rooted in nature – the inspiration for her company sort of did. “I was in my 30s,… Keep reading
Starting a travel accessory company at the beginning of a global pandemic isn’t easy. Just ask Tracey McGhee, founder of Ms. Jetsetter. “There were times when I thought that my… Keep reading
“The Wine Lady” – winemaker and founder of Love Cork Screw, Chrishon Lampley. Photo courtesy of Love Cork Screw. In 2019, Chrishon Lampley stood in the middle of New York’s Times Square, looked up, and saw her wine brand… Keep reading
Amazing Edibles Catering specializes in transforming any event into something amazing. Pictured here steak frites: grilled steak cooked to medium rare perfection, sliced and placed on top of a brioche crostini, then topped with a dollop of horseradish crème and… Keep reading