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Andrea & Anthony Vizzari - A&A Studios Inc. Dec 18, 2018

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Amazon, Microsoft, Disney, and Apple - all started out of a garage. While today's guests aren't quite yet a multi-national behemoth, their business story also began in a garage as a passion project and has experienced tremendous business growth ever since.

Andrea & Anthony Vizzari are the co-founders of A&A Studios Inc., a multi-faceted creative studio capturing the golden age of the photobooth. As the "Photobooth Architects", Andrea & Anthony provide custom digital design and analog restoration of photobooths.

In our conversation, we discuss how Andrea & Anthony found their way to Riverside, how their backgrounds in architecture, photography, and design and Andrea's love of photobooths lead to starting their business, and how they've fallen in love with Riverside's small town charm while enjoying easy access to the city for their business needs.

I hope you enjoy getting to know our neighbors Andrea & Anthony Vizzari.

Shari Klyber - Principle Dance Nov 13, 2018

Show notes

Despite being a village of only 9,000 residents, Riverside seems to be full of folks doing interesting things within their chosen profession who also make time to give back to the small village we call home. Today's guest is another fine example of someone who excels in doing both.

Shari Klyber is the director of the Early Childhood Development program at Principle Dance in nearby Forest Park and also serves on the Riverside District 96 School Board.

In our conversation, we discuss Shari's experience growing up around the country and how her background in physiology led to her current role at Principle Dance. We also learn about Principle Dance's beginnings in Riverside and how Shari's desire to bring a teacher's perspective to the school board lead to her decision to volunteer & run.

I hope you enjoy getting to know our neighbor Shari Klyber.

Kristen Phelan Swiderski - 34 East Lounge Oct 23, 2018

Show notes

Riverside as a whole seems like a place where everybody knows your name but if you're looking for a spot in town where that's especially true, look no further than today's guest and her business.

Kristen Phelan Swiderski is one of the new co-owners of 34 East Lounge, Riverside's longest standing neighbor bar and lounge located right in downtown Riverside by the Water Tower.

In our conversation, we discuss how Kristen knew at a young age that she was destined to live in Riverside, how her husband's desire to keep his favorite bar stool started the wheels in motion to purchase the bar, and how they are committed to making 34 East Lounge a family friendly gathering place for everyone here in Riverside.

I think you'll really enjoy getting to know our neighbor Kristen Phelan Swiderski.

Grey Ingram - Loud Mouth Food Bikes Oct 02, 2018

Show notes

Riverside has no shortage of creative folks building new & interesting businesses and today's guest is another great example.

Grey Ingram and his wife Lauren are the creative geniuses beyond Loud Mouth Food Bikes, one of Chicago's first food bike businesses specializing in locally sourced gourmet hot dogs & sausages.

In our conversation, we discuss Grey's small-town Southern roots, the highly competitive advertising world that lead to developing a plan B, how they came up with the food bike concept and took Loud Mouth Food Bikes from a vision to reality, and how our community can help make sure this cool new business not only survives but thrives.

I hope you enjoy getting to know our neighbor Grey Ingram.

Sarah VenHorst - CC Wellness Solutions Sep 18, 2018

Show notes

When you have a conversation with someone that is so genuine and real, it's hard not to walk away feeling recharged & refreshed. And that's the exact feeling I got from my conversation with our guest today.

Sarah VenHorst is the owner of CC Wellness Solutions, a new community focused wellness center offering adolescent & women's health counseling, reiki, and creative life coaching right here in downtown Riverside.

In our conversation, we discuss Sarah's journey from English teacher to school counselor to private practice, how and why she started her practice before leaving her previous role, and how her desire to provide a place of community and well-being right here in Riverside inspired her to launch her own business and build out additional service offerings.

I really enjoyed getting to know our neighbor Sarah VenHorst and I think you will too.

Erin Ahern - EA Beauty Sep 04, 2018

Show notes

"Luck is a matter of preparation meets opportunity." - Seneca

My guest today - Erin Ahern of EA Beauty - has taken her opportunities along the way and turned them into a thriving bridal hair business.

In our conversation, we discuss Erin's decision to become a hair stylist, how a serendipitous opportunity lead to her focus on weddings, the unique way her and her husband picked out Riverside as their home, and how Riverside acts as her recluse from the intense demands of her industry.

I think you'll really enjoy getting to know our neighbor Erin Ahern.

Suzanne Muirheid - Mindful Wellness Therapy Aug 15, 2018

Show notes

I first met today's guest through my daughter's school. Then, in typical small-town Riverside fashion, we proceeded to seemingly run into each all over town. Once we got to talking and I learned more about her business, I knew her story would be a great one to share.

Suzanne Muirheid is a co-founder of Mindful Wellness Therapy. Located right next door to Riverside in the Berwyn Depot District, Mindful Wellness was founded in 2016 with the vision of becoming a community resource to help people feel better and lead more fulfilling lives.

In our conversation, we discuss how Suzanne and her family choose Riverside based on it's community feel and her small-town roots, how an interest in social work lead her to counseling, and how her combined desire to give back to her community & being from a family of entrepreneurs ultimately lead to the formation of Mindful Wellness.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with our neighbor Suzanne Muirheid.

Apryl Chapman-Konar - Raising Blossoms Photograhpy Jul 10, 2018

Show notes

When I started the Riverside Newcomers Facebook group, it wasn't intentionally done to discover folks to feature on this podcast but I quickly realized it would help me do just that. It's been a pleasure to spread the word about new folks who are doing great things here in Riverside and today's guest is no exception.

Apryl Chapman-Konar and her family are fairly recent arrivals here to Riverside. Apryl is the owner of Raising Blossoms Photography, where she specializes in natural, lifestyle photography.

In our conversation, we discuss how a job change brought Apryl and her family from California to Riverside, how the Riverside Area Mom's Facebook group helped her realize Riverside was the right spot for her family, and what it's like growing her business one connection at a time in a new community.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with our new neighbor Apryl Chapman-Konar.

Jill Mateo - Riverside Arts Weekend (RAW) May 08, 2018

Show notes

Riverside Arts Weekend (RAW) is coming up on Saturday, May 19th & Sunday, May 20th in Guthrie Park and this year marks the 11th annual RAW. Board member Jill Mateo was kind enough to spend some time talking with me about the history of RAW and also shared what's in store for this years event. You won't want to miss this great kickoff to spring right here in Riverside.

David Pollard - Liv Companies Apr 03, 2018

Show notes

Many people over the years have been drawn to Riverside through their love of our pastoral setting & historical homes. My guest today first noticed Riverside's downtown on a train ride years ago and our unique architecture clearly stuck with him as his family now calls Riverside home.

David Pollard is an architect and co-founder of Liv Companies, a design & build firm that specializes in residential remodels, additions, and custom homes. You might have noticed some of his work as Liv Companies has completed a number of projects right here in Riverside.

In our conversation, we discuss how David made his way from Virginia to Chicago, how his noticing our Water Tower while on the train years ago ultimately lead to his family moving to Riverside, the unique approach Liv Companies uses to simplify the design & build process, and how David and his family appreciate how much our community has welcomed them with open arms.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with our neighbor David Pollard.

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