Live Here Riverside

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Aimee Sahlas – Style Design Sahlas Sep 17, 2019

Show notes

While a fresh coat of paint might be a good start to liven up your living space, it's a far cry from the way a professional interior designer can transform not only the aesthetics of your space but also the way your family uses it.

My guest today is Aimee Sahlas. Aimee is the owner of Style Design Sahlas, an interior design and consulting firm located right here in Riverside.

In our conversation, we discuss Aimee's return to Riverside after growing up here in town, how she's successfully combined her construction background and love of design into her current business, and how the people who are there for you no matter what make Riverside such a special place to live.

Without further ado, here's my conversation with our neighbor, Aimee Sahlas.

Joel Alejandro - Mago's Styling Cave Jul 16, 2019

Show notes

While Riverside's history and charm is easy to see, it takes a special business owner to see the unique potential that our small village in the forest offers. Luck for us, our guest today saw that potential when he decided to branch out on his own in Riverside.

My guest today is Joel Alejandro. Joel is the owner of Mago's Styling Cave, a new barber shop located right here in downtown Riverside.

In our conversation, we discuss Joel's start in and passion for barbering, how commuting through Riverside led to Joel opening his barber shop here, and how Riverside's strong sense of community has already made him feel welcome in our little village.

I really enjoyed learning more about Joel's vision for his barbershop in Riverside and I think you will too.

Chris Porter - Riverside Swim Club May 29, 2019

Show notes

As generations of Riverside families with young children have done before us, we took the plunge – pun intended! – and joined Riverside Swim Club (RSC) this summer. And if our daughter's excitement level on opening day about having a group of her local friends to play and swim all summer with was any indication of what lies ahead, we're confident we've made a good investment.

Assuming we weren't the only family in Riverside looking to learn more about the pool, I reached out to Chris Porter, a long-time board member and current president of Riverside Swim Club.

In our conversation, we discuss how Chris and his family found their way to Riverside and how a neighbor's encouragement lead to Chris volunteering for the RSC board. Chris also shares a brief history of the pool, what's on tap for this upcoming summer, and why young families should consider joining the pool to tap into a built-in community of family fun.

I really enjoyed learning more about the pool and I think you will too. Here's my conversation with our neighbor Chris Porter.

Christine Long - Riverside Junior Woman's Charity Apr 30, 2019

Show notes

April is Riverside Junior Woman's Charity (RJWC) month here at Live Here Riverside. We are highlighting the many great things that the Juniors do right here in Riverside in three mini episodes featuring three different members and their stories.

My third guest in this special series is Christine Long, a native of Riverside and a long standing member of the Riverside Junior Woman's Charity.

In our conversation, we discuss Christine's experience growing up in Riverside, how the charitable component of the Juniors is what initially attracted her to the group, and her appreciation of the many forms of kindness shown both within the Juniors and through out Riverside.

I hope you enjoy getting to know our neighbor Christine Long.

Ashley Prosser - Riverside Junior Woman's Charity Apr 16, 2019

Show notes

My second guest in this special series is Ashley Prosser. Ashley currently serves as the Vice President of Member Services for the Riverside Junior Woman's Charity.

In our conversation, we discuss how Ashley and her family found their way to Riverside, how her mother's experience with a similar organization lead to her joining the Juniors, and how Riverside's walkability, proximity, and neighborly vibe works well for her and her family.

I hope you enjoy getting to know our neighbor Ashley Prosser.

Joanne Schiemann - Riverside Junior Woman's Charity Apr 02, 2019

Show notes

My first guest in this special series is Joanne Schiemann. Joanne currently serves as the Vice President of Operations for the Riverside Junior Woman's Charity.

In our conversation, we discuss how Joanne and her family found their way to Riverside, how she values her involvement with the Juniors as a stay at home mom, and why she decided to join the Board to do even more to help make the Juniors thrive.

I hope you enjoy getting to know our neighbor Joanne Schiemann.

Romney Cirillo - Something Fishy Mar 19, 2019

Show notes

One of my favorite parts of this podcast has been meeting so many of our neighbors with successful niche businesses that we might not have otherwise known about and getting to share their story. Today's guest is yet another great example.

My guest today is Romney Cirillo. Romney is the founder and owner of Something Fishy, an aquarium installation, design, and maintenance company serving the greater Chicagoland area.

In our conversation, we discuss how Romney found his way to Riverside and how a summer internship in corporate America was all it took to know he wanted to run his own company. He also shares his plans for expanding Something Fishy to provide mobile aquarium therapy at children's hospitals here in Chicago and potentially across the United States.

I hope you enjoy getting to know our new neighbor Romney Cirillo.

Nina Makovski - Waterlemon Kids Mar 05, 2019

Show notes

Time is a luxury item for parents with small children so whenever you can knock out multiple things at the same time, it's a big bonus. That idea is something that today's guest kept in mind when launching her latest business.

Nina Makovski is the owner of Waterlemon Kids, a one of a kind indoor play, coffee, and boutique shop located nearby in downtown La Grange, IL.

In our conversation, we discuss how Nina and her family decided to leave LA returning to their midwest roots when their daughter was born, how their desire to provide a place with something for everyone in the family lead to opening WaterLemon Kids, and how Riverside has delivered in spades providing the neighborly interactions and small town experiences that they were missing out west.

I hope you enjoy getting to know our neighbor Nina Makovski.

Ike Orcutt - BuckleDown Brewing Feb 12, 2019

Show notes

Is there anything better than having a neighbor & friend that brews their own beer? While you might be inclined to say no, you could have neighbor & friend that runs & owns a local brewery.

My guest today is Ike Orcutt. Ike is the co-founder and head brewer at BuckleDown Brewing, a local small craft brewery conveniently located right next door in Lyons, IL.

In our conversation, we discuss how Riverside's unique footprint on Google Maps lead Ike and his family to Riverside, how he transitioned from home brewing and working in advertising to starting a brewery with a former client of his, and how his business and family prioritize giving back locally through their involvement with the Riverside Junior Woman's Charity.

I think you'll enjoy getting to know our neighbor Ike Orcutt.

Jerry Owen - Jerry Owen Strength + Conditioning Jan 22, 2019

Show notes

As we get into the swing of things here in 2019, you're probably not alone if getting in better shape found it's way on your New Year's Resolutions list. If you're tired of DIY fitness or are looking to add something new to your workout schedule, you'll really want to know about today's guest.

With over 16 years of experience in the health and nutrition industry, Jerry Owen is a licensed nutritionist and leading Chicago personal fitness trainer who has trained five professional fighters and six marathon competitors. He owns and operates Jerry Owen Strength + Conditioning in nearby Countryside, IL.

In our conversation, we discuss how Jerry's curiosity ultimately lead him from his hometown in Florida to Chicago and eventually to Riverside, his diverse background in acting, strength training and nutrition, and how he fell in love with Riverside's small town charm and even joined a popular neighborhood band.

I know you'll enjoy getting to know our neighbor Jerry Owen.