Smart Business Chicago

Ep 64: Bringing Business In and Bugs Out

At RB Pеѕt Solutions, they dоn't rеѕt untіl they get rіd of your pеѕt. Robiar Smith, CEO of RB Pest Solutions shares her story on how she got into the pest control business and the ways her company educates clients. With over 30 years of experience in the pest control industry, Robiar knows how to provide immediate resolutions with long term results.

Ep 63: City Clerk Anna Valencia is Keeping Chicago Government Transparent

We kick off Women’s History Month by highlighting the work of City Clerk of Chicago Anna M. Valencia. She is one of three city-wide elected officials in the City of Chicago, at a time where all three positions are held by females. As City Clerk, Valencia has focused on making government accessible to all Chicagoans. Under her leadership, new and innovative initiatives have been spearheaded to bring services directly to residents. Listen to learn about her career in public service, the Chicago City Key, and recent fee and debt reforms.

Ep 62: Steeping Tea and Success

Whether you are a tea enthusiast or have stayed true to black tea, TeaGschwendner is ready to serve you the perfect cup. The artisan tea company is based out of Germany and it’s two only U.S. locations are here in Chicago. Agnieszka Rapacz, the President and Tea Sommelier, saw the opportunity for customers to travel the world through a cup of tea. From her corporate background, she was able to leverage the importance of customer service, community involvement and a strong business model.

Ep 61: Connect to the Hub

Entrepreneurs can either be overwhelmed with business resources or not know where to find them. Noticing the wide array of business needs, World Business Chicago partnered with community organizations and City agencies to create ChiBizHub. Kendra Thomas, the Business Resource Manager at World Business Chicago, explains how the innovative web platform connects expert service providers to Chicago’s fast growing business community. For more, visit www.chibizhub.com

Ep 60: Putting Your Best Shoe Forward

When you grow up surrounded by craftsman dedicated to their work, it’s hard not to feel inspired. That’s what happened to Joshua Marin of Fix Your Kicks. The young entrepreneur used his acquired skills for shoe repair to launch his business with customer service as a core value. Lace up and learn how Fix Your Kicks provides shoes and leather repair an affordable price without jeopardizing quality.