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Dear Chamber Supporter,
We're sorry to jolt you from your summer reverie, but fall is just around the corner! We have a lot of exciting activities and promotions planned to celebrate the season. Below, you can find information on our Spooky Specials Halloween Map, which will highlight participating businesses with a trick-or-treat map of the neighborhood for children and adults. To participate, just read the details below and send you specials to [email protected]. We hope to see your business represented!
We are also excited to announce our partnership with the Uptown Thriller Parade, which will be taking place in Buttercup Park on Friday, October 31. The Thriller Parade will feature a live reenactment of Michael Jackson's Thriller music video. Interested? You should be - it's going to be tons of fun. Click here to sign up to dance in the parade, or click here to volunteer and help us make the day a huge success. Rehearsal dates will be announced soon. Sincerely, Business Partners The Chamber for Uptown |
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Faces of Uptown: Mark Lestina
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 Mark Lestina founded his company, Wastemaster Corporation, just a year ago. Mark describes his team as "waste brokers," explaining, "we provide waste management services for small to medium sized businesses, condo associations, and property managers." Lestina points out that many companies and residents "overpay for waste disposal service" not because they aren't savvy, but simply because "they don't understand what a good rate should be." He says, "generally speaking, people don't really have a comparison point" to understand what they should be paying. Between different billing cycles, varying fees and permit charges, and the vast disparity of rates offered, Mark notes, "it can be very confusing to the consumer to compare and contrast offers from different companies." Wastemaster provides an easy method for finding the best price available to business owners by presenting one clear, consistent bill. Wastemaster provides these services to clients throughout the Chicago area. Lestina explains, "we aggregate data and make the process more transparent, and we receive preferential pricing from waste companies that we are able to offer to the consumer."
While Mark may be new to entrepreneurship, he is used to managing a team of employees. He says, "I used to work for a waste management company, where I managed a team of sales people and learned a lot about the process. It confirmed for me that there is a huge disparity in waste service pricing across the city." After leaving that company to start his own business, he has learned about both the trials and successes that accompany business ownership. He points out, "the biggest hurdle for us is that that many people do not know that our service exists. We work hard to extend our marketing efforts across the city and get the word out about our services." Mark also explains a challenge that many CEOs struggle with: the balance between controlling costs and bringing in new revenue. For this and other issues, Mark always advises new business owners to "be flexible." He says, "I look back at my original business plan, and it is a little shocking to read now. Many parts of it have completely changed." He notes that it is important to serve your individual market as it ebbs and flows, even if it means altering your original dream.
Mark recalls one of his first moments of success in the business. He says, "it was those first few customers who signed up for my service that felt like a huge achievement. From a financial perspective, it may not be your biggest sale, but it means that people like your idea and are willing to partner with you." Mark describes his business as a successful work in progress. His five-year goal for the business is to serve other major cities in the Midwest, but he will always call the Chicago area his home. Mark points out that Uptown is "a great example of a wildly diverse neighborhood. Anyone who is trying to start a business here, no matter the genre, has endless opportunity available."
Wastemaster Corporation works throughout the city of Chicago. Click here to visit their website, or contact Mark directly at [email protected] or 773-858-5642.
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Tuesday, September 23 from 5:30-7:30pm
Fat Cat Bar, 4840 N Broadway
 Join us for Lawyerpalooza, an event that will include networking, appetizers, drinks, and a discussions on a variety of legal topics from neighborhood legal professionals. At Lawyerpalooza, the Northside Attorneys Group (NAG) will provide you with basic information about a range of legal topics applicable to business owners, employers, and employees. NAG is a group of lawyers with close ties to Chicago's north side.
They practice in many different areas and are proud to share some basic legal information with you. The information provided at this event is not to be regarded as legal advice, but attendees will have the opportunity to ask general questions and learn about employment and business law, immigration, estate planning, liability for personal injury, and other common areas of interest for business owners. Four rounds of legal discussion will end with a half hour of networking with attendees. We intend to begin Lawyerpalooza as soon as attendees arrive at 5:30 and networking and socializing will follow at 7:00. Click here for the flyer, and click here for more information on the topics to be discussed.
Click here to sign up today!
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Spooky Specials & Tricky Treats!
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We are celebrating Halloween this year with a neighborhood-wide map of specials, treats, and general holiday fun. If you would like to have your business featured on the map, please send the information listed below to our office at [email protected] by Friday, October 3. We will be featuring holiday specials for both adults and children. We will also post trick-or-treat hours for businesses who would like to invite families to visit.
- Business name, address, and contact information
- The named, content, and time span of your special discount or promotion
- A graphic or logo to represent your business on the map
- You may also send us trick-or-treat hours for halloween day
We look forward to working with you to have a fun, safe holiday season in the neighborhood. Stay tuned for information in the coming months about our winter holiday events.
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Do you love clean sidewalks, the Argyle Night Market and great new businesses? Then We Need Your Support!
In 2014, Uptown United is embarking on reconstitution -- or renewal -- of Uptown's Special Service Area (SSA) #34. Via Uptown United, SSA#34 has provided services such as sidewalk snow removal, sidewalk litter removal, graffiti removal, sidewalk planter installation, periodic powerwashing of sidewalks, support for community special events and promotional activities, business retention & attraction, fa�ade improvements, and more. A Special Service Area (SSA) is an additional property tax levied on properties within the designated district.
If you own property within the District, please sign here to show your support.
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Events at the Bezazian Library
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Check out some of the great events going on at your local library! The CPL Bezazian Branch is located at 1226 W Ainslie. For more information, click on the links below or contact the branch at 312-744-0019. All events are free and open to the public.
Improving Customer Service with Your Smartphone
Tuesday, September 23 from 12-1:30pm
Registration is required for this event.
Click here for more information.
Click here for the flyer.
City Lit Theatre Banned Books Week Read Out
Saturday, September 27 from 2-3pm
Click here for more information.
Click here for the flyer.
Crowdfunding Workshop
Tuesday, October 7 from 3-5pm
Registration is required for this event.
Click here for more information.
Click here for the flyer.
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Mollydooker Wine Tasting
Friday, September 19 from 4-7pm
The Guesthouse Hotel, 4872 N Clark Street
Join Mollydooker Wines cellar door manager Andrew Brown as he presents five wines from this Australian winery, including a sparkling Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Verdelho. This event is free and open to the public, so stop by and enjoy some great wine! Click here for more information.
Crowdfunding Workshop
Chicago Public Library Bezazian Branch, 1226 W Ainslie
Tuesday, October 7, 3:00-5:00pm
This workshop will be held with Mike Cohen of the Duman Entrepreneurship Center at JVS Chicago. To register for this programs please contact the Bezazian branch at (312) 744-0019.
Free Business SeminarsNext Door Chicago, 659 W Diversey New Chamber member Bright Bright Great is hosting free seminars in partnership with Next Door Chicago. The seminars span various topics from branding to finance. Click here to sign up. Choosing the Right Creative Partner for You | September 23, 6:30-8:30 PM Accounting for the Self-Employed | October 21, 6:30-7:30 PM. Midwest Business, Extreme Weather, and Climate Change: Risks and Opportunities SeminarWednesday, October 8 from 6-8pmPolish Museum of America, 984 N Milwaukee AvenueThis seminar will discuss emergency weather situations, climate change, and how they can impact your business. Click here for more information. ICA Solar LaunchWednesday, September 24 from 10am-3pmICA Greenrise Building, 4750 N Sheridan RdThe Institute of Cultural Affairs has been transforming their building into an eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and people-centered hub now known at ICA Greenrise. At their Solar Launch event, they will introduce their newest project, an addition of 483 solar panels on the roof of the building. There will be a brief ceremony at 10:30am followed by day-long "share fair" highlighting various neighborhood initiatives. Click here to register for the event. Click here for the flyer. Multi-Chamber Networking Event Thursday, October 2 from 5:30-8pm Halsted Flats Amenity Deck, 3740 N Halsted Enjoy food and drinks while networking with local businesses from the Lakeview East Chamber, the Edgewater Chamber, and the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce. To learn more and RSVP for the event, contact Mark Knight at 702-485-8052 or [email protected]. Click here for the flyer. Brix Lobster Boil Saturday, October 11 from 2-7pm Brix Catering, 1463 W Leland Join Brix for a traditional lobster boil. Tie on your bib and dig into fresh Maine lobster, prawns, corn, potatoes & green beans. Click here to make your reservations for our Lobster Boil ($50) OR click here to make reservations with the BYOB Upgrade option ($65.) Reservations are required.
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Our staff is available to address your questions, comments, and concerns. Please contact us at 773-878-1184 or [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you. |
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