Memories and More in Monday Matters

May 20, 2024

Memorial Day is upon us. Although the holiday honors those who served in the military, I want to take a moment to honor a few who have served the Wheaton Chamber.

Will Grosch, the late great banker from Glen Ellyn Bank & Trust, was on the board and served in several capacities throughout his career. When I started my coaching practice in 2002, Will courted my business relentlessly. I finally protested, "Will, you know, I'm not a millionaire!" "Not yet," he responded wisely. I switched banks.

He was charming and witty and every time I walked by his photo hanging outside the cafeteria at Central DuPage Hospital, I'd plant a lipstick kiss on the plexi-glass frame. Sorry, housekeeping folks.

Another Wheaton Chamber member who will never be forgotten is Jason Sandquist of Ivy Restaurant. I had the honor and pleasure of co-hosting the Chamber's "Best of Wheaton Awards" with Jason, and we sang "There's No Business Like [Wheaton] Business" on stage together. His sudden death in 2021 at the age of 44 was a shock to all of us. His favorite quote: "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light."

Next week we remember those who gave in service to our country, but this week, I would like to honor all those who have served the Chamber. We stand on the shoulders of giants.

To those who have served~

New Members Welcomed to Wheaton Chamber

We are so very lucky to welcome the following new members to the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce:

515 Fitness Inc. Nicole Perry is the primary representative of this business, located at 624 W. Roosevelt Road in Wheaton. We can't wait to learn more about their approach to therapy and fitness.
VFA Creative Events. Victoria Isikman has already made a name for herself by attending the Arts, Business & Culture Committee and last week's luncheon. She brings art to corporate events and an international flair to all that she does.
Illinois Tech. Back as a member, the IIT Rice Campus is now under the leadership of April Welch, associate vice president, strategic initiatives and director of esports and digital arts. See "Member News" for a generous 50% discount for summer classes.
Rehab Chiro Wheaton. Dr. Renata Mendez is located at 102 N. Cross Street, Unit #1, in Wheaton. We look forward to learning more about Dr. Mendez, her team and her services.
Nordstrom Rack. This long-awaited store is having a VIP reception AND a Grand opening at their new store in Danada East--please see below in "Member News" for details. Tria Stames is store manager and Elizabeth "Libby" Schlewitz is senior marketing specialist. Let's just say, We can't WAIT.

We are blessed to have new members join our Chamber, and thank you for your referrals. Don't forget--you get a free lunch if you refer a new member and they include you in their profile. Who says there's no free lunch?

Ambassadors Host Business After Hours on Tuesday

Join the Ambassadors tomorrow, Tuesday, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. as we enjoy each other's company at a Business After Hours (BAH) in the parlor at the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, 301 W. Roosevelt Road in Wheaton. This BAH is sponsored by Sandy Skibinski and Celebration Marketing. Thanks to Sandy and the Ambassadors for hosting this event. Marty Keller of Milton Township C.E.R.T. and Deb Brown of Town Square Publishing are co-chairs of the Ambassadors Committee.

Although there is no cost for this event, please RSVP here so we can have plenty of light hors d'oeuvres and drinks for our guests. Business After Hours is a great time to come meet other Chamber members, and it's also an opportunity for you to share the Wheaton Chamber with clients and prospective clients.Thanks, Celebration Marketing, for sponsoring this event!

Cream of Wheaton is Just Around the Corner

Where else in Wheaton can you find music, a Business Expo, arts & crafts, a carnival and a long weekend of food and fun? The Cream of Wheaton countdown has begun, and there's still time to join as sponsors, volunteers or both!

Hosted in partnership with the Wheaton Park District, this event will elevate your visibility with 50,000 people throughout this four-day festival. Read more here about sponsorship levels still available to you.

Is a Business Expo booth of interest to you? Click here to sign up--space is limited. Volunteer slots are filling up fast. Here's a link to get you and/or your team signed up as volunteers. Thanks to Mike Tenerelli of Exit Real Estate Partners, our Volunteer of Volunteers--reach out to him if you have a question. There's something for everyone at Cream of Wheaton! Picture your company name, below...

Thanks to our Main Sponsors

And to our Business Expo Exhibitors

Arden Courts Memory Care of Glen Ellyn
Capital Vacations
Chicago Pelvic Health and Wellness
Chiro One
Chris Mechanical Services, Inc.
College Church
Democratic Party of Milton Township
IBVM Loretto Sisters
Jacuzzi/Window Works
Jerry Evans School of Music
LeafFilter Gutter Protection
Matrix Home Solutions
People's Resource Center (PRC)
Power Home Remodeling Group
Redo Cabinets
Renewal by Anderson
Wheaton Sport Center
Window Nation

There's still room for YOU!

Illinois Tech Offers Summer College Programs

One of our newest Chamber members wants to offer a sweet deal to Wheaton Chamber members' kids interested in robotics and cloud computing. "Elevate College Prep" is a summer program being offered on the Rice Campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology in Wheaton, and slots are still open with a 50% discount to Chamber members.

Click here for more information about these programs being offered in July for rising ninth through 12th graders. You may also visit this web page to learn more about these college prep summer programs. Thanks to new member April Welch for making this program available at a steep discount to our Chamber members!

Nordstrom Rack Invites Members to VIP Event, Grand Opening

We are so excited to welcome Nordstrom Rack in Danada East to Wheaton, and they seem just as excited to welcome us! Please join them for a VIP Shopping Party on Tuesday, May 29, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This sneak preview will be followed by a Grand Opening scheduled for 8:00 a.m. on Wed., May 30, and if you show up by 8:00 you're likely to enjoy treats, music and a chance to win a $1,000 Nordstrom Rack gift card. At 9:00 a.m., the grand opening will commence. Learn more here.

DuPage Forest Preserve Highlights Benefits of Nature

In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County wants to remind us that there are mental health benefits to spending time in nature. Research supports the fact that spending time in nature such as the Forest Preserves of DuPage County can have profound effects on mental well-being, reducing stress and improving overall resilience. More than 5.5 million people visit the 26,000 acres of the 60 forest preserves with 166 miles of trails, seven education centers and scores of programs throughout the year. For more information, visit www.dupageforest.org.

14th Annual DuPage County Regional Business Outlook Scheduled for June

"What Now & What Next," the 14th Annual DuPage County Regional Business Outlook, is scheduled for Thursday, June 6, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., beginning with breakfast and networking. The event will be held at Drury Lane Conference Center, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

This event features economic outlooks by Deborah Conroy, chair of the DuPage County Board, and Leo Harmon, CFA, CAIA, senior managing director and chief investment officer of Mesirow. Mark Sander, president and chief operating officer of Old National Bank, will provide a business overview. To learn more and to register for individual tickets or tables of 10, please click here.

The Local Features Phil of "Phil's Friends"

The most recent episode of "The Local" features Phil Zielke of Phil's Friends, a Wheaton Chamber member. A two-time cancer survivor, Phil shares his story of hope and resilience on this latest podcast, a production of Fairhaven Wealth Management in partnership with the Chamber.

Marc Horner of Fairhaven Wealth Management and Vickie Austin sat down with Phil at Greentree Studios and talked with Phil about how his illness inspired him to create Phil's Friends, a group of volunteers who create good old-fashioned care packages to deliver encouraging cards and gifts to cancer patients across the nation. Click here to hear Phil's inspiring story. And if you know someone who has a story to tell (and who doesn't?), let us know! We've dropped more than 60 podcasts so far, and if you attended last week's luncheon, you'll know it takes a village. Shout-out to Marc, to Meg Goodman and Mark Long of Flint Rock LLC who do production, and to Jean Lyon and Sam Martyn of Fairhaven Wealth Management who handle bookings and marketing respectively.

Please Tell Us Your News

Our Wheaton Chamber members have a lot going on and you have a lot to say! Read press releases from our members, learn about job openings and see our Chamber members' "Hot Deals." Got a job posting or a special you'd like to share? Contact us.

Check out the latest job postings for the McAninch Arts Center, Gary United Methodist Church and Gary United Methodist Preschool and the newest listing for a marketing coordinator for the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce.

If you have a job opening, please enter your information into your member profile under "Jobs." Your listing will be included on the Chamber website and featured in our Monday Matters newsletter.

This week:

On Tuesday, May 21, the Ambassadors will host a Business After Hours at the Wheaton Chamber. Sandy Skibinski of Celebration Marketing is our sponsor. Please RSVP.
Members Matter, an orientation via Zoom for new, current and prospective members, will be hosed on Wed., May 22, at 9:00 a.m. This 45-minute Zoom call is an overview of member benefits and a guide for how to get involved in the Wheaton Chamber. RSVP here.
The Board of Directors meets Thursday, May 23, at 8:30 a.m. at the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce. Jill Mason of Glen Ellyn Bank & Trust and Wheaton Bank & Trust is chair. Stacie Dovalovsky of Primera Engineers is chair-elect.
Cream of Wheaton will be held May 30, 31, June 1 and June 2 in Memorial Park. Join us at 4:30 p.m. for another Ambassadors reception in the park along with a ribbon-cutting. To learn about sponsorships, the Business Expo and volunteering, please click here.

Coming up:

The Women in Business (WIB) Committee meet on Tuesday, May 28, at 8:30 a.m. at the Wheaton Chamber, 301 W. Roosevelt Road. Planning has begun on the October WIB Expo. Committee co-chairs are Giana Ferrari Ayers of Edward Jones and Tracy Bennett of Wheaton Living.
Volunteer orientation for Cream of Wheaton will be held from 5:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, at the Mary Lubko Center in Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Avenue in Wheaton.
Cream of Wheaton kicks off with a reception hosted by our Ambassadors Committee and a ribbon-cutting at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 30. Cream of Wheaton is hosted in the park May 30-June 2.
Ignite University will feature Dr. Chris Mazzarella of Heritage Professional Associates, Ltd., on Wed., June 5, at the Wheaton Public Library. Dr. Mazzarella will present "Staying Steady in an Unsteady World: Business, Careers and Good Mental Health." Please RSVP here.

Babies! We love babies!

Congratulations to Dr. and Mrs. Michael Quintana on the birth of their third child, Rowan. We have permission to share this photo in celebration of Rowan's arrival last week on May 7, just a few days after Dr. Quintana's ribbon-cutting at Mind Body Balance Clinic. This cute little nugget is on our radar as a future Chamber member...