GREEN HOME CHICAGO

At Green Home Chicago Design Center interior design meets the green movement and it looks like a good match.

Karen Kalmek, CEO and founder, opened the store back in November 2007 to introduce her concept of entrepreneurship and to support local artists.

“I wanted my work to be meaningful,” Kalmek said. “I see this green movement as a way to potentially create jobs.”

Kalmek, moved to Chicago 26 years ago from her native South Africa because of the political turmoil there. Her varied work experiences gave her the necessary tools to open the business and be successful. She said she is proud that the business has had success considering it opened at the beginning of the recession.

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VILLAGE PAPERIE AND GIFTS

When Frankie Andrae began working at Original Expressions in 1989, a paper store that sold paper by the pound, she didn’t expect to find her passion during the three month position that was only meant to be a college job. 

She liked the paper business, and began looking to branch out, by finding a new location to start her own paper store.  When she realized that the original owner of Original Expressions was not returning, she bought the business, which was located on Armitage Avenue.

As larger corporate chains began moving in on Armitage, Andrae, along with her sister Johnnie Andrae who also helps run the business, decided to change locations.

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PASTORAL ARTISAN CHEESE, BREAD AND WINE

Cheese and wine are the specialties at this friendly, neighborhood business, built in and for the East Lakeview community. 

Based on the marketing principles of TLC : tasting, learning and converting, Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine is a place to sample and learn to love cheese, bread and wine.

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FIVE GREAT BUSINESSES ON GOOD DAY CHICAGO

Today the Unwrap Chicago campaign was featured on Good Day Chicago.  We got the word out about unique gifts from five great stores in five different neighborhoods. 

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BIG GIRL COSMETICS

In 2005, Founder, Kiley Russell then an Assistant Principal, sat in the audience of the legendary taping in which Oprah gifted the entire audience a Pontiac G6.

Although that was an awesome gift, Russell had a much larger plan.  She decided to sell the car and use the profits to launch the growing beauty brand, Big Girl Cosmetics.

Big Girl Cosmetics, is a cosmetic and skincare company designed for poly-ethnic women.  They provide rich, highly pigmented colors & realistic foundations for most underserved clients.  

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