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Small Business Spotlight: Dinobi Detergent’s Plant-Based Laundry Soap a True Labor of Love

The story of Dinobi Detergent is as much a love story as it is a tale of entrepreneurship and laundry soap. Founded by Augie and Sylvia Emuwa, a Bronzeville couple…
Community Impact //

Small Business Spotlight: With Taylor’s Tacos, West Coast Street Food Finds West Side Community

After moving back home to Chicago from California, Taylor Mason missed Los Angeles’ ubiquitous street tacos. She’d get an occasional whiff thanks to a guy who sporadically set up a…
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Small Business Spotlight: Larry’s Barber College Stays a Cut Above With New Walmart Shop

Angela Harvey had never cut hair before she enrolled in Larry’s Barber College. Her first time wielding clippers, after months of classroom instruction, “I was shaking like a leaf,” she…
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Small Business Spotlight: In the Age of Amazon, Kido’s Key to Retail Success is Knowing Your Community

When Keewa Nurullah, a performing artist, had her first child, she encountered a whole new world of things her son needed – and was disappointed by what she found. Baby…
Event //

Celebrating Black in Tech: Insight and Advice from Black Startup Founders

Jasmine Shells, MBA '21, founded her startup in Chicago with the intention of building it in Chicago as well. But when it came time to raise money, the checks…
News //

Small Business Spotlight: With Solo Noir and Zen Soul Apothecary, One Woman Nurtures Outer and Inner Wellness

Andrea Polk always considered herself a spiritual person. But it took time for her to see the deeper meaning when her body suddenly went into revolt. At 38, the…
News //

Small Business Spotlight: OjaExpress, Designed By and For Immigrants, Brings Same-Day Delivery to Ethnic Grocery Stores

When Boyede Sobitan worked as a healthcare consultant, traveling four or five days out of every week, his return home to Chicago was often met with a request from his…
News //

Small Business Spotlight: ReformedSchool’s Handmade Wearable Art Has Something to Say

Peter Gaona didn’t have much money growing up, but he did have a nose for style. So he learned to distress and take apart his clothes, fashioning new items out…
News //

Small Business Spotlight: Hemp Heals Body Shop Preaches Plants Over Pills

Tiffany Joi raised some eyebrows when she debuted her line of CBD-infused lotions and oils at the Hyde Park Farmers Market in 2019. “You should have seen the looks,” said…
News //

Psyonic Racks Up Accolades as its Bionic Hand Prepares for Nationwide Launch

An Illinois startup that has developed a more affordable bionic hand has been racking up accolades as it prepares for the nationwide rollout of its high-tech prosthetic. Psyonic, which…
News //

Love Cork Screw Secures Major Partnerships: ‘It’s Definitely Been a Time For a Lot of Allies to Open Their Eyes,’ says CEO

Wine and lifestyle brand Love Cork Screw is going national. Chrishon Lampley, founder and CEO of Love Cork Screw, first became involved in the wine space while owning an…
News //

Winter 2019 Small Business Growth Program Cohort Announced

The Polsky Small Business Growth Program has announced its Winter 2019 cohort, which is made up of small businesses located in the South and West Side of Chicago.

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