Chicago Community Ventures Blog

CCV Client Happenings: Shy to Social Butterfly

If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, let Shy to Social Butterfly™ give you the encouragement and tools you need to overcome shyness!

 

Everyone (even the confident-looking social butterfly) experiences shyness from time to time.  The key to keeping it from negatively affecting your life is getting the encouragement and tools you need to overcome it.  How different would your life be if you learned how to overcome your shyness?  Learn to go from Shy to Social Butterfly while enjoying an amazing 3-course meal, at the Michelin Bib Gourmand Award winning restaurant Nana Organic, during this fun and casual class in a supportive environment.

 

You’ll walk away with confidence and charisma, thanks to your newfound ability to

• calm the shy nerves
• effortlessly make small talk
• find that special person
• get promoted or land a new job
• easily meet new people
• comfortably navigate any business or social situation
• and so much more.

Limited to 30 people to keep it cozy and comfortable so register today!  Register 2 friends and receive an autographed copy of "171 Tips to Get You Noticed For All the RIGHT Reasons ($15.00 value)."

 

Market Mondays: Saki

Chicago's newest record store, Saki, opened Memorial Day weekend, in Logan Square. In this day and age where most music distribution has gone digital, its refreshing to see that some people are still willing to sell music the old-fashioned way.

Musicians and music lovers can unite in this 3,400-square-foot space to purchase records, hear performances and get some culture in the art gallery. Saki is a spot where those interested in Chicago's independent music scene can gather, listen and discuss.

Owner Patrick Monaghan sought counseling from Chicago Community Ventures about three years ago for his other company, Carrot Top Distribution. Last year, Monaghan successfully graduated from CCV's Market & Customer Development Training program, which showed him how to cut costs and better serve his customers.

Saki's already been covered by Crain's Chicagobusiness.com, Chicago Reader and Examiner.com.

Want to go to a performance at Saki? The band Califone will be playing at 2pm on Saturday, June 19, 2010.

If you go: 3716 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago
Hours: Sunday-Monday, 12-7pm and Tuesday-Saturday, 12-8pm
For more information, call 773.486.3997.

Market Mondays: Mullen Foods

Apple pie in a jar? Yes, that's what Mullen's applesauce really tastes like! Made with the freshest ingredients available, the Mullen family recipe has been dazzling Chicagoans for many years now.

Mullen's applesauce is a great comfort food without the fat and calories. Indeed, the delicious applesauce has only 80 calories per serving - quite the healthy snack.

Owner and founder Jim Mullen is a disabled police officer, injured in the line of duty back in 1996. After retiring, Jim decided to start bottling his mother's recipe for applesauce. He is currently enrolled in CCV's Market and Customer Development Training program.

Now sold in Jewel and Whole Foods grocery stores throughout the city and Chicago suburbs, Mullen's applesauce is working on becoming a local legend.

Watch this video to learn more about Jim and his applesauce.

Market Mondays: Granola for Good

Granola for Good may have figured out the perfect recipe for success.  Owner Mary Stonor Saunders had always loved making granola at home, but never dreamed of having her own business.  Without a commercial kitchen it just didn't seem possible.

While volunteering at a local restaurant serving the homeless in Chicago, Mary's granola idea began to come to life.  The Living Room Cafe, a part of the Inspiration Corporation, on Chicago's South Side agreed to let Mary use their kitchen in exchange for ten pounds of her granola every month.

And not only does Mary's granola make you feel good about helping the Woodlawn community, it also tastes great!  She blends oats with almonds, pecans, a taste of coconut and a hint of honey.  Then Mary tosses in cranberries and golden raisins.  It's delicious with yogurt or milk or even all by itself.

Visit her Web site for more information and to order some of your own Granola for Good!

Market Mondays: Cafe Too

Cafe Too is a food service training program providing skills-building and employment opportunities in an atmosphere of dignity and respect to people facing barriers to self sufficiency.

The 13-week training program focuses on a variety of subjects, including: basic culinary skills and concepts, reading and converting recipes, following and taking direction, teamwork, sanitation and safety, restaurant service, and job-readiness soft skills.

Students get hands-on experience by working for nine weeks at the Cafe Too restaurant at 4715 N. Sheridan Rd. There, they work on lunch, brunch and dinner shifts and learn a broad range of skills. Once placed into employment, graduates are eligible for indefinite supportive services to ensure job retention and promote career advancement.

In mid 2009, the program added a front-of-house restaurant service training curriculum for trainees seeking to work directly with customers. Inspiration Corporation is also developing a new social enterprise restaurant and food service training center in East Garfield Park, set to open in late 2010.

The Cafe Too program received the the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago's Highly Innovative Program Award in 2005 and the Harry Chapin Foundation's Self-Reliance Award in 2007.