Fun Facts for International Women’s Day!

Laura McMahon & Emily Janson, The Guild | Angela Gianfrancesco, Stella Blue Design | Riti Sobilo / Jennifer Austin, Green Paws Chicago | Adrienne Fasano, Scorpeta | Kristen Flather, Makoshey | Donna Lee, Brown Bag Seafood | Alicia Obando, Pitter Patter Parenting | Denise Foy, de la foye design studio | Annie Frances, Annie Frances Style Consulting | Ria Tjiong, Truly Chiropractic | Jennifer Weiss, Cubbington’s Cabinet

In honor of International Women’s Day, we collected fun facts from a few of our women-owned businesses in Lakeview and Roscoe Village so you can get to know some of the wonderful women leaders in our community. Read on and give these businesses a visit, or follow them on social media to stay connected.

Erika VanDam, RoscoeBooks

If you've been inside our store, then you already know this...but we have an "author pole," on which visiting authors have signed their names!

Donna Lee, Brown Bag Seafood

The first ever brown bag seafood menu was written on a an airline vomit bag while in flight, we’ve come a long way from barf bag to brown bag!

Ellie Thompson, Ellie Thomspon + Co

I am an avid mountain biker! Many of my best design ideas come during the hours spent riding in the woods and testing my bike skills on rocky terrain.

Ria Tjiong, Truly Chiropractic

I have 3 cats (all boys and they get chiropractic care too), I make a really good lip balm (all about natural diy), and I hail from the sunny island of Singapore!

Amy Novotny, Arthur Murray Lakeview

I decided when I was in 5th grade, that I wanted to be a music teacher. I very intently followed that dream through high school, attended the music school at Indiana University and then became a music teacher in Oak Park & River Forest! Dream, realized! In my third teaching year, I was told by my ENT doctor "you need to get a new career" because she found polyps on my vocal chords (nice bedside manner, right?!). And wouldn't you know it, only two weeks before, I had started taking ballroom dance lessons at Arthur Murray in Chicago. I knew it was fate and on my next dance lesson, I told them they should hire me (bold move, I know!) and here I am 17 years later, now an owner of my own Arthur Murray in Lakeview! Proud to say that what could have only been devastating life altering news, created a twist in my professional dreams and led me right here. Where I was meant to be.

Jennifer Weiss, Cubbinton’s Cabinet

I conducted my Masters and Ph.D. research on gender and ethnicity bias and discrimination in employment selection. I also served as an expert advisor for a USAID program coaching leaders at utility and energy companies in developing countries how to empower women in their business, industry, and local communities.

Angela Gianfrancesco, Stella Blue Design

My business name, Stella Blue (Design), is named after my favorite Grateful Dead Song. Yes, I am a longtime deadhead. I always said, if I had a baby girl - her name would be "Stella Blue." Well, I guess you could say my jewelry business is my 'baby girl.' Like the opening lyrics to the song, Jerry wrote about his guitar and his passion for playing music..."All the years combine, they melt into a dream." Making jewelry and dreams come true is my passion. Stella Blue Design is inspired by gemstones/nature, vintage finds, those who came before us and those who seek one of a kind jewelry designs.

Emily Janson & Laura McMahon, Owners of The Guild

We have our own sustainable/fair trade brands (SUSU Accessories and rue de emily bijoux) which is how we meet and decided to create The Guild.

Annie Frances, Annie Frances Style Consultant

I’m a personal stylist, but actually still hold my licensure as a mental health therapist in counseling and art therapy!

Denise Foy, de la foye design studio

I started my business based off an experience I had during my travels in Bali. I helped a small business owner increase his traffic and become reservation only in the span of 3 months.

Stephanie Suvarna, Owner of Suvarna Chiropracitc

Ever wonder the meaning of Suvarna? Suvarna is Hindu in origin and means golden.

Adrienne Fasano, Scoperta Wines

I climbed Grand Tetons in my early 30's to cure my acrophobia.

Kellie O’Connell, CEO at Lakeview Pantry

At Lakeview Pantry, more than half of the clients we serve are women. Research shows women are disproportionately affected by hunger, with women being 35% more likely to experience poverty than men. This International Women's Day, we acknowledge the impact of food insecurity on women and reaffirm our commitment to meeting the basic needs of all those who come through our doors—especially women.

Kristen Flather, Makoshey

Makoshey was my grandmother’s maiden name. She is the inspiration behind the brand to make clothes that empower girls to be strong, thoughtful, and independent.

Amber Sipich, And Studio

We make all our prints, leather goods and jewelry in house!

Laura B Folkes, Certified Holistic Health Coach

I started ice skating when I was 19 and in my prime as a young adult I had 3 coaches, skated four days a week and would be on the ice at 6:00 AM before heading into work.

Erin Anderson, Erin Anderson & Associates

In my past I have helped to develop and assist a baseball team for elementary age children called "The Slammers". They were a unique team that paired typically developing players each with a peer who had a disability. Together they would run each base and hit each ball. It was a great opportunity and featured on the WGN news.

Vanessa Rodriguez, BabyDolls Boutique

I worked for a Congressman all through college and was going to be an attorney.

Jennifer Litner, Embrace Sexual Wellness

Last year, we launched a digital program and online community to help parents and caregivers be sex-positive role models for their children.

Alicia Obando, Pitter Patter Parenting

I not only help care for pets, but I also work with kids to educate them on pet care and safety. I have a BA degree in Early Childhood Education and a MA degree in Counseling Children and Adolescents and have been working with kids and families for decades. Five years ago, I started Pitter Patter Parenting as a way to bring together my passion of working with pets and kids. I love working with families to help keep everyone healthy, happy and safe.

Lindsey Marcus, Leigh Marcus

Most people know Leigh, my husband's name, or face, from seeing our signs all around town, but fun fact about me is that I was actually in Real Estate first, and I convinced Leigh to join me to start our business! I love Real Estate and running our company, but I like running the Marketing, Hiring, and Behind-the-Scenes type stuff. So, Leigh joined me and volunteered to be the face so I could run the rest of the business, just the way I like it!

Julianne Neely, Individual and Family Connection

IFC is a business owned, managed, and run by women! As a result we are a family focused place in everything we do. In building IFC our directors have had 4 babies that get to grow up along side the work we are doing.

Riti Sobilo & Jennifer Austin, Green Paws Chicago

Throughout the pandemic, the Green Paws Pet Care Specialist team has serviced birds, plants, snails, bunnies, cats, dogs, and more!

Alison Buckley, Coldwell Banker Realty

I was overseas with my husband on International Women's Day in 2014, watching a Ukrainian school dance performance that included our son-to-be (at the time), and now we are the proud parents of a Lake View High School "Wildcat".

Barbara Boiko, Co-Owner of Boiko & Osimani P.C.

I started my law firm in 2000 and have served many Lakeview and Roscoe village residents for the past 17 years at 3447 N. Lincoln. I am the managing partner of the firm and have been featured in "Wonder Women of Housing" and selected to the "Women in Housing Leadership." My daughter, Madeline Remish, is a second generation female attorney and plans to follow in my footsteps.

Cindi Sodolski, Cindi Sodolski Group

I had triplets and they were in Newsweek Magazine when they were babies featuring triplets in Chicago.