This episode features a conversation with Amanda Wurzbach, the founder of Total Dish - a messaging and branding consultancy. Early in her marketing career, Amanda recognized that what she loved to do is brand storytelling. During the 2008 recession, Amanda was laid off, and after already once having to job hunt in a tough market, she took a leap of faith and began Total Dish. Her father always taught her to 'call one person. Tell them exactly what you are looking for and then ask that person who she needs to talk to.' With that "secret formula," Amanda hit the ground running and landed her first client from the second call.

Words are Amanda's superpower. Her other superpower was recognizing that she didn't have to build a successful business doing anything she didn't like to do. Rather, she could build it by focusing only what she loves most - telling a company's story.

Tune in to hear more about Amanda's inspiring entrepreneurial journey!

This episode features a conversation with Megan Lally, a co-founder & the CEO of Highdive - a Chicago based advertising agency. After gaining extensive experience working at large advertising agencies, Megan began her entrepreneurial journey with a mindset to change how advertising agencies do things. She and her co-founders created Highdive with the intent on building the most healthy relationship between their agency and their clients. Through open and honest communication, working as a team, and finding the most important thing that the consumer needs to hear about her clients' brands, Megan and her co-founders have earned a tremendous amount of success in 8 short years.

From launching the agency with just 6 employees to overseeing its growth to over 130, Megan remains committed to prioritizing culture, staying true to the core values that Highdive was built upon. Her honesty, authenticity, and unwavering desire to do the right thing make her a truly incredible leader. This is one podcast not to miss! Tune in to hear more about Megan's highly successful and inspiring entrepreneurial journey!

This episode features a conversation with Amy Falanga and Andrea Newman, Co-Owners and CEOs of The Larko Group, a staffing and recruiting agency. In September 2024, they transitioned from longtime employees to owners when they purchased the company from its retiring founder. Since then, they’ve focused on strengthening the business’s foundation, taking the time to understand every aspect of ownership to set themselves up for long-term growth and success.

Even with a combined 25 years at The Larko Group, Amy and Andrea still experience moments of imposter syndrome. However, their deep respect for one another, their firsthand knowledge of the business, and the warm support of their dedicated team and clients reassure them that they are exactly where they’re meant to be.

Tune in to hear more about their inspiring entrepreneurial journey!

This episode is a conversation with Sean Fahey, the owner of SPF Productions, a company specializing in videography, video editing, and music composition. Having been in business for just over a year, Sean has focused his first year on pursuing projects he's passionate about and building connections with like-minded individuals. Along the way, he’s discovered that staying productive and continuously adapting are essential aspects of running a business.

This episode is a conversation with Frank Kuhlman, President of Maxi-Blast, which specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of non-abrasive plastic blasting media and machines. Frank began his career at Maxi-Blast after graduating from college. Starting in the marketing department and working his way up in the company, he was eventually offered ownership in the company.

Frank sees himself as a lifelong learner and lives by the motto, "you either win or you learn." While he values success, he also recognizes its potential to become a barrier. Without continuously learning and growing from success, it can limit one's ability to think creatively and adapt. His advice to other entrepreneurs is to embrace the scared feeling. His story is inspiring.

This episode is a conversation with Jeff Cismoski, owner of Xartis Wealth - a business owner wealth advisory firm. Jeff started his business 4 years ago after consulting 10 years for another advisory firm.

As a business owner, Jeff is very deliberate about building a community of mentors to seek advice and gain perspective from. He chooses to connect with other business owners who share a similar business mindset as him. Jeff believes all business owners should stay curious because curiosity makes your business timeless. His story is inspiring.

This episode is a conversation with Scout Driscoll, Founder and CEO of DesignScout, a branding and full-service design agency. Scout started her business 21 years ago, when she was fresh out of college. In listening to her story, it's evident she has a true love affair with her business. She never looks at DesignScout as an asset, but rather as a child. Her business, her employees, and her clients - are all deeply personal to her.

One of the biggest (and incredibly successful) lessons Scout was forced to learn in her journey is how to successfully market her business after being referral based. Her "covid pivot" helped her realize that marketing yourself correctly helps her catch her soulmate clients. Her story is inspiring.

This episode is a conversation with Kim Hannay, Founder and Executive Director of Digs With Dignity, a local Chicago nonprofit that collects furniture and home goods from the community and uses them to design and furnish homes for families exiting homelessness.

Digs with Dignity began in 2019 and have currently served 200 families. Prior to outfitting each family's home, Digs meets with the family to learn about their design tastes, as well as their must-haves and would-love-to-haves in their home. With that knowledge in hand, they create a home for the family that is personalized specifically to them. And having that comfortable, beautifully decorated, fully-equipped home makes all the difference in the world. 97% of the families Digs served remained housed! As a matter of fact, many have received promotions and achieved other personal goals that may not have been possible without the stability of their home.

Digs with Dignity is truly an extraordinary organization. Learn more about their mission in this podcast.

Reverie will be doing a Digs Day on Friday, October 18th. OUR GOAL IS TO RAISE $5000 to create a lovely, inviting and beautifully decorated home for a deserving family. Will you join us in our fundraising efforts by making a donation to our fundraising page: https://www.mightycause.com/story/Jduaof?