She Means Business!

It’s a Great Time to Be a Woman

We’re continuing our celebration of women business owners and entrepreneurs—and the momentum is real.

We came across this Forbes feature highlighting America’s richest self-made women in 2026, and a few things jumped out right away:

The number of self-made billionaire women is growing—43 this year, up from 38 last year.
They’re not all in AI or tech (though that sector is booming).
And yes, women continue to lead when it comes to philanthropy.
Progress is happening—and it’s worth celebrating. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do better.

A quick aside: we are not anti-men in the slightest. We’ve shared our lives with wonderful husbands, we adore our sons and grandsons, and we’re pretty fond of our teammate John, too. This is simply about shining a light where it’s long overdue.

Building a business takes courage. Rebuilding one takes something even deeper. Like guts!

This month, we’re launching a new feature: She Means Business — Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs, where we highlight gutsy, courageous women.

Real stories, hard-won lessons, and practical takeaways from women building remarkable businesses.

Our first featured entrepreneur is Angela Motola, owner of Angela’s Charter Service.

Her yacht, the Gypsy Spirit, is docked at the Navy Pier Marina and hosts everything from private parties to corporate events. But her story goes far beyond the boat.

Angela built her business as a single mother, determined to create both stability and something meaningful of her own.

Here’s a glimpse into her journey:

Why did you start your business?

“I wanted to create financial stability while building something meaningful—not just for myself, but for my daughter.”

Biggest challenge?

“Entrepreneurship means constant change—economic shifts, evolving technology, changing customer expectations. You have to stay flexible while keeping your long-term vision intact.”

What are you most proud of?

“That my work has always been about more than the service itself. It’s about creating experiences—helping people connect with themselves, each other, and their community.”

Angela’s story is a powerful reminder: success isn’t just about what you build—it’s about the impact you create along the way.

Read the rest of her story here.

Connect with Angela

www.angelascharters.com

877-751-7175

info@angelascharters.com

Protecting Your Privacy

Think your devices are under your control? Your smart TV might have other plans.

PCMag recently shared a must-read article called Your TV IS Spying On You, Change This Setting To Turn Off. It’s a quick fix for protecting your privacy, and definitely worth a few minutes of your time.

Summer On The Water

Shoutout to WBEZ Chicago for this great article on things to do on the water this summer: Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards: 17 great places to explore, see wildlife and find solace on the water in Chicago and the suburbs.

We’re big kayaking fans and have pushed off from all three of the Waterider launch spots along the Chicago River. Our favorite route is the gently drifting North Branch where the banks are lined with trees, birds and the kind of urban wildlife you only notice when you slow down.

If you’re craving a quiet few hours outside, this stretch feels worlds away from Chicago’s noise and traffic, even though the city is just around the bend.

How's Business?

If your website isn’t bringing in business—or isn’t presenting your brand the way you’d like it to, let’s talk. Start here.

And if you missed last month’s newsletter celebrating women entrepreneurs, you can catch up here.

Enjoy all the glorious sunshine! See you next month.

Enjoy summer,

Iris and Rickey

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