Leah says she feels "conflicted" about doing business in the city of Chicago. What started as a vision for one retail shop has grown into a go-to hub for Chicago pet supplies, grooming services and dog daycare. With three locations, and a move and expansion on the horizon, Leah certainly has her hands full. And she loves it!  But sometimes the red tape, regulations, and seemingly exorbitant cost of doing business makes it difficult to spend the money where it matters most -- her staff.  Despite the growing pains, what's next for the Aeslin pet family? Learn more at aeslin.com Follow @AeslinPupHub on Facebook and Instagram.   *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at http://www.howsbusinesschi.com!

How's Business?

Aeslin Pup Hub, Brick and Mortar for All Your Pet Needs

Previously, Alex described doing business in Chicago as "frustrating". Running the sign company his father started has been a challenge, to say the least, especially with all of the layers of approval and red tape it takes for clients to get their signs and awnings approved. The permit process is currently slow and complicated, but it might be getting a little easier. As we release this episode, a new ordinance has been introduced in City Council to change the process for signs that hang over the public way, like awnings and thick lettering.  To learn how to help advocate for this change and others like it in support of Chicago small business, email us: clinic@ijclinic.org or call 773-834-3129.  You can learn more about Right Way Signs at www.rightwaysigns.com or on Facebook @RightWaySigns. *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at http://www.howsbusinesschi.com!

UPDATE: Sign Legislation Changes for Chicago Businesses featuring Right Way Signs

Sylvia and Augie's business grew out of a personal need for an effective laundry detergent that wouldn't irritate their family's sensitive skin. From diaper rash to eczema to sweaty workout clothes, Sylvia couldn't find an "all in one" product that worked for everyone, so she engaged an organic chemist to create one. Dinobi Detergent is designed to be an affordable, plant-based laundry detergent that is powerful in the wash, yet gentle on skin and the environment. From changing consumers' buying habits, to navigating the city's contract and procurement process, to keeping their product in stock for wholesalers, doing business isn't always easy. What is the vision for Dinobi over the next five years?   Learn more at https://www.dinobidetergent.com Follow @Dinobi_Detergent on Instagram and @DinobiDetergent on Facebook. Fun fact: "dinobi" means "precious." *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at http://www.howsbusinesschi.com!

Dinobi Detergent, a family owned manufacturer in Chicago

Liz says doing business in Chicago is "uncertain" because she's trying something outside of the box in the grocery market. Forty Acres Fresh Market is a pop-up grocer specializing in selling high quality fresh produce at an everyday low price. Founded in response to the dearth of fresh food options on Chicago's West Side, Liz is doubling down on community partnerships, grants, and building credibility in her neighborhood. Can this business model thrive in the long term? Learn more at https://www.fortyacresfreshmarket.com/ Follow @FortyAcresFreshMarket on Facebook and Instagram and @40acresfresh on Twitter. *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at http://www.howsbusinesschi.com!

Forty Acres Fresh Market, a Pop-Up Grocer on Chicago's West Side

Shelby describes doing business in Chicago as a "microcosm." Learn more about his journey through Chicago's food world on this week's episode! *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at howsbusinesschi.com!

Autolyze Consulting, a Remote Food Industry Consultant in Chicago

Robbie says doing business in Chicago is "full circle" because of how far she's come, from college professor to learning how to grow and manage her Chatham based pest control company to bidding on accounts with universities and other large companies and organizations. And it hasn't been easy. From licensing to human resources to managing your online reputation, running a business can sometimes feel like you're working twice as hard as having a job. So how exactly does she do it? Learn more at http://rbpestsolutions.com Follow @rbpestsolution on Facebook and @r.b.pestsolutions on Instagram.  *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at http://www.howsbusinesschi.com!

R.B. Pest Solutions, Pest Control in Chatham

Eva says doing business in Chicago is "challenging." That's putting it lightly! This founder of Catalyst Ranch, a creative meeting and event space in historic downtown Chicago, has run around in circles and jumped through hoops many times for everything from expanding their physical location, to getting the proper licensing to offer catering at their events, to getting a sign that people can actually see from the street. Find out why, despite these obstacles, Eva has no plans to leave Chicago and how she made the leap from corporate employee to thriving entrepreneur. Learn more at https://www.catalystranch.com Follow @catalyst.ranch on Instagram, @catalystranch on Facebook, @catalystranch on Pinterest and @CatalystWedding on Twitter. *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at http://www.howsbusinesschi.com!

Catalyst Ranch, Creative Meeting and Event Space in Chicago Loop

Eric describes doing business in Chicago as "exhilarating." Despite being a natural entrepreneur who loves his city and his community, it isn't always easy to navigate the city's codes and licenses. How exactly did Eric go from peddling Bart Simpson t-shirts on the street, to a lifestyle retail space in Wicker Park and a move to Hyde Park, to starting a block party in Hyde Park that attracts thousands of people, to pop-up shops around Chicago? Learn more at http://www.thesilverroom.com Follow @thesilverroom... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesilverroom/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesilverroom Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesilverroom *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at howsbusinesschi.com!

The Silver Room, Eclectic Retail and Sound System Block Party in Hyde Park

Juana describes doing business in Chicago as "frustrating." She spent much of her life savings outfitting a truck for mobile retail, but how's it going? Learn more at StellaLily.com. *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at howsbusinesschi.com!

StellaLily, a Mobile Art Business based in Ravenswood

Maria describes doing business in Chicago as "amazing." Her business was recently formalized with the passing a street vending ordinance. Learn more about what street food legalization means for her. *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at howsbusinesschi.com!

Yolis Tamales in Gage Park, a Tamale Vendor

Jake describes doing business in Chicago as full of "opportunity". He decided to open a coffee shop when the markets crashed and he needed to find a new source of income. Ten years later, what does it mean to Jake to own his own business? You can learn more about Robust Coffee Lounge at robustcoffeelounge.com or on Facebook @RobustCoffeeLounge. *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at howsbusinesschi.com!

Robust Coffee Lounge in Woodlawn, a Coffee Shop

Rezna describes doing business in Chicago as "determination." She's determined to help Chicagoans understand their power to heal themselves. But how does she do it?    Connect with Revolutionary Care on Instagram @_revolutionarycare *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at howsbusinesschi.com!

Revolutionary Care, a traveling Massage Therapist

Dan describes doing business in Chicago as "entrepreneurial". He built a market for shipping seafood from the trunk of his car. How has he handled the challenges of maintaining a potentially hazardous food business? You can learn more about Lobster Gram at lobstergram.com or on Facebook @lobstergram. *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at howsbusinesschi.com!

Lobster Gram of Mayfair Park, a Food Distributor

Kamilah describes doing business in Chicago as a "learning experience". She began by experimenting with boozy cupcakes in her kitchen. What inspired her to transition into a full-fledged business? You can learn more about Intoxicakes at intoxicakeschicago.com or on Facebook @IntoxiCakesChicago. *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at howsbusinesschi.com!

Intoxicakes in Bronzeville, a Cupcake Maker

LaForce describes doing business in Chicago as "interesting." LaForce says you have to be patient when you're getting all the correct licenses and permits. How much time does he suggest you allot? You can learn more about Moon Meals at www.moonmeals.com or on Facebook @moonmeals. *** How’s Business? is created by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School (IJ Clinic) and is hosted by Stacy Massey. Podcast editing services by Andrea Klunder and Edwin Ruiz at The Creative Impostor Studios. Follow us on Instagram @howsbusiness_chi Chicago-based business owners who are interested in being featured on How’s Business? are especially invited to connect with us at howsbusinesschi.com!

Moon Meals of Hyde Park, a Food Producer

How’s Business? is the product of our listening tour with small businesses throughout the City of Chicago. Through interviews with company founders, How’s Business? documents what’s going well – and what could be going better – for small businesses in Chicago. From licensing to maintaining work/life balance, we get candid with entrepreneurs and capture what it’s really like to do business in The Windy City.

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How's Business?

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