entrepeneurship

Callie Estes is the owner of Jo Jo Jewelry. She started her business during the pandemic when she lost her job as a nanny. Her jewelry is sold in several shops in the Central Illinois community. She spoke to Community Voices about being a young entrepreneur and how she learned to promote and expand her business.

Wanda Timmons is the owner of The Perfect Pair in Warrensburg, Ill., and Kelly Berry is the owner of Sign Language by KB, a vendor featured in The Perfect Pair. They spoke to Community Voices about how relationships are important to the success of their businesses. They also shared how they each started their businesses: Timmons was inspired to open a store with her daughter, and Berry wanted the financial opportunity to fund medical mission trips to Kenya.

Brian Su collects watches from around the world. In 2019, he opened Sangamon Watches with his business partner Tyler McKay. Su spoke with Community Voices about the history of Illinois watch making and the watch collections sold at Sangamon Watches, which draw inspiration from American history.

Monica Zanetti Reed and Jeremy Reed are the owners of Wild Rose, an artisan boutique in downtown Springfield. The store features hand-made items from local artists. The couple spoke with Community Voices about how they came to own the business and shared their passion for local art.

Monica Zanetti Reed and Jeremy Reed are the owners of Wild Rose, an artisan boutique in downtown Springfield. The store features hand-made items from local artists. The couple spoke with Community Voices about how they came to own the business and shared their passion for local art.

We are thrilled to welcome Laura D'Asaro, Rose Wang and Heather Alexander to talk about their book series "Eat Bugs." Inspired by the incredible true story of two friends who landed a deal on Shark Tank. Sixth-grade students turned entrepreneurs are on a mission to save the world, one bug at a time, in this fun and empowering illustrated novel filled with facts! Vanessa and Anna chat with them about their experience on Shark Tank, as well as their business "Chirps Chips" and how they started their company.

Alyssa Furling is the director of finance and franchisee at Fresh Fit Subs Incorporated. She runs nine Subways in the community. She spoke to Community Voices about her management style which includes leading by example. She also spoke about her program called "Learn with Alyssa," where she teaches others about aspects of running a business.

John Yates is the owner of Arcadia: America's Playable Arcade Museum in McLean, Ill. Yates learned how to be an entrepreneur at a young age, selling paper airplanes in fourth grade. In 2009, he remodeled a building and filled it with playable vintage arcade games. Many of the games still only require a quarter to play. Yates spoke with Community Voices about how he got his start in collecting vintage arcade games, and why creating a family-friendly space is important to him.

Sangamon Reclaimed is under new leadership. Co-owner Amanda Compton and Director of Sales Greg Hardwood spoke with Community Voices about the transition in leadership and how they got involved in the wood-working community.

Sangamon Reclaimed is under new leadership. Co-owner Amanda Compton and Director of Sales Greg Hardwood spoke with Community Voices about the transition in leadership and how they got involved in the wood-working community.