Posts in FEATURE ARTICLES
Reflections and What's to Come...

Ok real talk…this is a hard blog for me to write. On my content calendar this was listed as “BIDE Recap Post” but, based off recent events, I’ve had to pivot the content quite a bit.

I’ll start by stating the obvious: Things have changed so drastically in the past month that it’s hard to know where to start. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, social distancing ensued, events were cancelled, business temporarily shuttered and we’ve been ordered to “shelter in place” for the foreseeable future. It’s been a lot to process for me personally but also as an entrepreneur and business owner, I’ve been forced to face some pretty harsh realities I never even imagined a few weeks ago.

Read More
Cycle for Survival 2020

For the past four years, I’ve been participating in Cycle for Survival. For those of you who don’t know, it’s an annual fundraiser owned and operated by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the leading a nationwide movement to beat rare cancers. Since its inception in 2007, Cycle for has raised more than $208 million and counting.

Read More
Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Did you know? An Estimated 40 million people around the world are being trafficked, and sex trafficking is one of the world’s fastest growing criminal industries. This criminal industry generates $150 billion in illegal profit every year. Currently, human trafficking cases are being reported in every state in the US.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and, in honor of that, I wanted to take the time to share the behind the scenes story of an amazing brand that’s dedicating their entire business to helping this fight…

Read More
Lessons in Entrepreneurship: One Year In

This year just flew by…Last year at this time I had just started my business, got myself an official LLC, and was deep into branding and website design. I had one client (a HUGE shout out to Matt and Sarah for believing in me before I even had anything to show for myself), was binging every entrepreneur podcast I could find and planning for the whirlwind of a year ahead. Considering this exciting milestone, I thought I’d take the time to reflect and provide some key learnings…

Read More
BIDE Market Returns

For those of you who don’t know, BIDE Market is Chicago’s first luxury sustainable shopping experience. With hand-selected vendors across a variety of sectors, BIDE showcases the best of sustainability from Chicago and beyond. The entire market is vegan, cruelty-free, eco-friendly, and zero waste, while still serving up Chicago's finest sustainability guidance, clothing, accessories, beauty products, children’s items and homewares.

Read More
PR Trends in 2020

As we approach the end of the year, the conversation for us PR people inevitably turns to trends for the year ahead. From a PR perspective, it always presents a great time for thought leadership and content around what the next year will bring and how the conversation will shift. I’ve had these conversations with my clients in their various fields which got me thinking…what will be the trends in PR in 2020?

Read More
Lena Rose Grand Opening

Last week, we celebrated the official grand opening of the Lena Rose Day Spa. Located in Lincoln Square, the new location nearly doubles the size of the first location, including two treatment rooms, a dedicated classroom for workshops and events, a relaxation area complete with a cozy café and an expanded retail experience. The Lena Rose Day Spa offers the current menu of services in addition to new body treatments including energy work, body scrubs, body wraps and much more.

Read More
Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Like any survivor, I have mixed feelings about what the media has turned this month into. Instead of focusing on research and action needed, a lot of brands capitalize on the opportunity to boost sales and leverage a tie with Breast Cancer, launch special “pink” products and turn the meaning of the month into nothing more than a PR tactic. Similar to greenwashing, “pinkwashing” makes it extremely difficult to identify the organizations that are really committed to the cause and helping in the fight against breast cancer.

So, this October, I thought I’d take the time to highlight some of my favorite non-profits, in case anyone is looking for a charitable organization to get behind:

Read More
Breastie Updates!

One of the greatest things that has happened to me in the past few years since my diagnosis has been meeting and becoming a part of the Breastie community. These amazing women continue to amaze me with their strength, passion and positivity despite having been dealt a rough hand. And, after becoming more and more involved with them this past, I’m thrilled to announce some exciting news…I’m officially joining the team as a Breastie Ambassador for Chicago

Read More
The Debut of BIDE Market

But just like that, BIDE Market was born. It took countless hours of planning, brainstorming and research, but slowly but surely, the ideas started coming together. The cool thing is, the more we reached out, the more positive reinforcement we received. Everyone was so encouraging, expressed how needed this was and how excited they were to be a part of it. BIDE was becoming real and we knew we were onto something big.

Read More
Lessons in Entrepreneurship

Last week we secured a really cool opportunity for ESP Presents to speak at Coffee Talk, hosted by Presence Agency. For those of you who don’t know, Coffee Talk is a weekly series hosted by various entrepreneurs in Chicago. Topics vary and are selected by the individual speaking, but always discuss more in depth issues pertaining to the entrepreneurial experience overall in hopes to inspire and help others in their journey.

Read More
Lessons in Entrepreneurship

This was the title of an event I went to a few weeks ago hosted by Ignite. The event was a Q&A with the one, the only Jonny Imerman. While he needs no introduction, I’ll go ahead and provide a little background here for anyone who is unfamiliar (or who didn’t read my earlier PR profile on him 😊)

Read More
MBPR is Growing!

I’m thrilled to announce the newest client in the MBPR growing family: Lena Rose Beauty!

For those who don’t know, Lena Rose is the first green beauty boutique and spa in Chicago, focusing on vegan, non-toxic, “farm-to-facial” services and products that are 100% safe for your body.

Read More