We have just witnessed the pinnacle of teamwork - the Cubs winning the World Series proving they are the champions of baseball! Developing a strong team takes work. The time commitment to find the right people. The struggle as members of the team discover their role within the group. Continual training to keep the team fresh and current. It isn't easy. Which is why we should celebrate the Cubs and all thriving teams!
I've had the pleasure of experiencing and being a part of many successful teams in downtown Lombard: local businesses, event committees, organizations and the Village. All have a common bond - as Vince Lombardi once said, "Individual commitment to a group effort: That is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work."
In today's Purple Plans, we meet two businesses with incredible teams - Red Caffeine Marketing + Technology and Drytini Blow Dry and Updo Bar. In the Upcoming Events
and
News from the Village
sections, we see the culmination of some pretty amazing teamwork! And in the
LTC Volunteer Spotlight
, we share available committee and volunteer opportunities in the hopes of building strong future teams.
Go Team!
Live, Work, Play, Purple!
Lynne Magnavite
Interim Executive Director
Lombard Town Centre
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Friday Feature:
RED CAFFEINE A Talented Team
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A Talented Team
Kathy Steele, President and owner of Red Caffeine Marketing + Technology, 106 W. St. Charles, is a part of downtown Lombard's legacy. Born in Pittsburgh and raised in the Greater Chicagoland area, Kathy found her way to Champs in Oak Brook Terrace where she waited tables with another soon-to-be local celebrity, Jennifer Shannon of Shannon's Deli! Can you picture it? Two effervescent young women serving customers and talking about their hopes and dreams. Flash forward to present day - Kathy and Jennifer are both successful business owners in downtown Lombard. #LombardPride!
Red Caffeine Marketing + Technology, aptly named for its energy and "badass" team evolved from a bitter business divorce. In 2013, a marketing firm called Desert Rose moved to 106 W. St. Charles. Owners Kathy Steele and her partner at the time began growing their business but ultimately realized their core values weren't aligned. After an abrupt and painful split, Kathy picked up the pieces, changed the company name and built a sustainable, growing enterprise.
Voted one of the best places to work in 2016 by the Daily Herald Business Ledger, Red Caffeine encourages employee growth and exploration. The team works with visionary organizations who are ready to tackle today's biggest business challenges but lack a strategy to enter a new market, launch a product, manage leadership change, and attract top talent. Red Caffeine provides value by becoming deeply invested in knowing their customers. Some of their customers are based in Lombard and love the fact that Red Caffeine is too. Over 25 staff (and some of their dogs) come to work in downtown Lombard every day and shop, dine and take advantage of all our historic area has to offer.
Winner of the 2016 Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, Kathy Steele strongly believes in community and philanthropy. In fact, the Red Caffeine purpose is, "to entangle ourselves with our team, clients, and community to fuel meaningful impact." In recent years, Red Caffeine has donated nearly $50K annually to local charities in time, services, and monetary funding. In favor of underdog charities, they choose to partner where they can make the most impact, including a couple of their favorite causes - the BTB Foundation and Maddie's Mitten March. This year Red Caffeine is looking to partner full-time with one charity to provide more focused assistance. It's a big goal from a company with a big heart.
We are lucky to have such a thriving business in our downtown. Next time you are walking by 106 W. St. Charles, stop in, pet one of their adorable pups and bring a beer. They would love to meet you and they love beer ...
Red Caffeine
Bring beer ... lots of it. For real.
106 W. St. Charles Rd., Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 785-6903
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Friday Feature:
DRYTINI Team Spirit
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Team Spirit
When Carrie Novakowski was young, she would spend a lot of time in her long-time family friend's salon, My Personal Touch. Carrie thought of Debbie (the owner) as her "Aunt," and they shared a love for beauty and for making people happy. When Carrie learned her "Aunt" was closing her salon, she bought the shop and turned it into Drytini Blow Dry and Updo Bar, 8 S. Park Avenue.
Celebrating their second anniversary on June 14th, Drytini expanded into a full service salon. The secret to their success? Personalizing the experience so the customer looks and feels their best. How do they accomplish this? With a strong team of experts who come together, successfully bringing the latest salon trends to customers at an affordable rate. Carrie emphasizes that this is a team of peers. Each individual has a specific strength they bring to the table. Marina Baasch excels at color and cuts. Breena Bruno is a whiz with updo, makeup and blow dry. Jennifer Bailye's strong-suit is blow dry and cuts. Rene Sansone kills it with blow dry and updo. When Drytini manager, Summer Myatt isn't running the shop, she is highly skilled at cuts and color. The entire team "shares their passion, knowledge and experience with hair and makeup in today's beauty industry, while having a GREAT time!"
The Drytini business philosophy also includes philanthropy and building relationships with other downtown businesses. Upcoming events prove that their sense of charity and community is very strong. Just finishing up a successful October Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, they are encouraging everyone to get out and VOTE on 11/8. Anyone who shows their "I voted" sticker will receive 10% off of all services!
On November 17th Drytini will participate in The Cellar's amazing "Ladies Night Out" event and on December 8th they will host their own "Holiday Bonanza" event featuring Paradiso, Paparazzi and other fabulous vendors.
In addition, they are launching the "Holiday Punch Card". Purchase a punch card for $50 and receive services valued at $125. Services include blow outs, Moroccan oil treatments, a mini facial and more. Call 630-785-3226 for more information or check out their Facebook Page.
DRYtini 8 S. Park Ave.
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 785-3226
From left, Summer Myatt, Marina Baasch, Carrie Novakowski, Jennifer Bailye, Breena Bruno
(Not pictured, Rene Sansone)
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Lombard Christmas Mart returns on November 5th, 2016!
Are you feelin' festive yet? We're getting in the holiday spirit early with the popular Lombard Christmas Mart! Always the first Saturday in November, this year's Christmas Mart will take place on Saturday, November 5
th
between 9am and 2pm.
Sponsored by area churches & organizations, the Lombard Christmas Mart features about 100 crafters along Maple Street including artists, specialty vendors, antiques and other treasures! Sloppy Joes, soups and other treats will also be available. Free Parking and Admission.
The event takes place in an easily walkable three block area, with locations including: First United Methodist Church, First Church of Lombard & Maple Street Chapel, Calvary Episcopal Church, Lombard Community Senior Center, Helen Plum Library, Lombard Historical Society, Sacred Heart Catholic Church and St. John's Lutheran Church.
Visitors who stop at 6 of the 8 locations and get their passport punched will also be entered to win a prize! The drawing will take place at 3pm in Helen Plum Library, but you need not be present to win.
Treats For The Troops at Custom Fit Personal Training
On Sunday, November 6th, from 11 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. bring your leftover wrapped Halloween candy to Custom Fit Personal Training 216 W. St. Charles and they will donate the candy to the Troops! It isn't easy for kids to part with candy, but it's for a GREAT cause! Custom Fit will weigh the candy you donate and provide you with tickets based on the weight. Kids can turn in the tickets for small toys & prizes and adults will receive a coupon for one week of FREE classes!! For more information, call 630-927-9237. #VeteransDay #RememberThem
The Lombard Historical Society will hold its Saucy Tales! Trivia Pub Crawl in downtown Lombard, Friday, November 11. This adults-only event has Historical Society staff and volunteers regaling participants with "saucy tales" of Lombard's history, while testing their knowledge of local and general history as it relates to our scandals, shenanigans, criminals, and basic human stupidity.
From 7-10 PM, three downtown Lombard bars - Punky's Pub, Marquette Kitchen & Tap, and The Cellar (all within 2 minutes' walk of each other) - will host roving groups with trivia, free food, and generous prizes donated by local businesses such as WhirlyBall,
Art Life Gallery and Studio,
Sweet Street Candies,
Famous Liquors,
Sky Center Martial Arts,
Peak Fitness, and more. Trivia lovers and local history buffs alike are encouraged to register for this fun night out of socializing and drink and dirt slinging!
All proceeds from the event benefit the Lombard Historical Society. Tickets are $25 for non-LHS- members, and $20 for members; ticket cost includes tasty specialty food at each bar. For tickets and more information, call 630-629-1885 or visit our website at
www.lombardhistory.org.
Lilac Parade Organization launches search for parade heroes!
The Lombard Lilac Festival Parade has been a Lombard tradition since 1930. One of the longest running and largest parades in the area, organizing, planning and funding an event of this scale is no small task. The Lombard Lilac Festival Parade, Inc., the volunteer not-for-profit organization responsible for running the Parade is seeking community support for the 2017 Lilac Parade, themed "Who is Your Hero?" The group is searching for "parade heroes" willing to join the ranks of their organization or financially support the parade through fundraisers or directly through the parade's gofundme.com campaign.
"What people see on parade day looks so simple, but it's really the culmination of a whole year's worth of work on the part of our organization and volunteers," stated Ellyn Murphy, Chairwoman of the group. "We are always seeking additional help to serve on our committees and to assist on parade day," added Murphy. Persons interested in volunteer opportunities are invited to reach out directly at [email protected] or on the Lilac Hotline at 630-415-2079.
For more information visit the Lombard Lilac Festival on Facebook or
www.lombardlilacparade.com, or donate directly at gofundme.com/lilacparade2017.
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Lombard's Fall Blood Drive honors Veterans and memory of former Village President Bill Mueller
The Village of Lombard is hosting its annual fall blood drive on Wednesday, November 16, 2016, in honor of Veteran's Day. This event also recognizes the former Village President Bill Mueller, who passed away in 2012. Residents are encouraged to donate blood in honor of Mueller's dedication to Lombard's veterans.
The blood drive will take place from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., at Yorktown Shopping Center at mall entrance #2, near Carson Pirie Scott. The blood drive will then move locations to Lombard's Village Hall, located at 255 E. Wilson Ave., from 1:30 - 7:30 p.m. Donors will receive a free long-sleeved t-shirt (while supplies last), a free pint of Culver's Frozen Custard, and automatically be entered in a raffle for a Yorktown Center gift card.
Bill Mueller was a life-long servant to the Village of Lombard, and this blood drive pays tribute to his passion for giving back to the community, including Lombard's veterans. In an effort to remember the outstanding courage and commitment to freedom made by our veterans, residents are encouraged to donate blood to pay tribute to those who have given and continue to give so much for our freedoms.
Appointments are highly recommended and may be made at
www.heartlandbc.org
or
villageoflombard.org/blooddrive
or by contacting Carol Bauer at (630)620-5712.
Also, check out the Village's Facebook page and Twitter for more news about our Village!
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Lombard Town Centre Spotlight
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Lombard Town Centre is dedicated to preserving and promoting our historic downtown as the heart of Lombard and a vibrant commercial destination.
LTC achieves this through our relationships with businesses, residents, and Village officials, by communicating among these various groups, promoting to neighboring communities, and by hosting events that raise revenue and awareness.
As a community based organization, our success is based on strong partnerships and volunteers. You can make a difference in the continued retention and growth in the downtown by joining our team of volunteers. We have projects and committees that fit with your talent and the time you have available.
Check out our
VOLUNTEER webpage for ways you can help!
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"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy local and that's kind of the same."
Lynne Magnavite
Interim Executive Director
Lombard Town Centre
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