In the heart of Chicago, Brad Tietz has dedicated his career to understanding the intricate workings of government, policy, and business relations. As the Vice President of Government Relations and Strategy at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Brad’s insight into the city’s business ecosystem is both wide-ranging and deeply impactful. For over 15 years, he’s helped shape policies that aim to enhance Chicago’s economy while balancing the practical realities of politics.

Brad’s story begins with a foundation rooted in community values. He studied political science at Illinois Wesleyan University, an experience that sparked his interest in local governance. Brad credits these early years with helping him hone a simple but powerful principle in his career: “Work hard, know your stuff, and be good to people.” This advice, passed down by a seasoned lobbyist, has been Brad’s guiding mantra. In a field often marked by high stakes and complex dynamics, Brad emphasizes the importance of respect and transparency, even when advocating for difficult policies.

Early in his career, Brad served as a legislative analyst, a position that introduced him to high-profile issues within Illinois’s House of Representatives. This role required him to dissect legislation, evaluate stakeholders, and understand both the promises and potential pitfalls of each bill. Brad describes these years as challenging yet foundational, as they offered a front-row seat to the legislative processes that would later shape his approach to advocacy.

Today, Brad’s work at the Chicagoland Chamber spans initiatives in economic development, workforce growth, and strategic policy advocacy. His influence is evident in initiatives such as the Illinois Data Center Tax Incentive. Originally a niche sector, data centers have since seen exponential growth, catapulting Illinois to second in the nation for data center development. This progress was no accident; it was a result of years of collaboration between Brad, industry leaders, and legislators who recognized the sector’s potential. “Data centers started with just a 1% growth rate before the incentive,” Brad says. “Now, we’re seeing over 20% growth.”

Economic growth, however, is not Brad’s sole focus. Workforce development, especially in underserved communities, is central to his mission. Recently, he worked to secure funding for community college programs tailored to the data center industry, creating pathways to high-paying jobs without a traditional four-year degree. These roles often pay well over $100,000, a major economic boost for residents who previously had limited access to such opportunities. This approach embodies Brad’s belief that economic policies should benefit every part of the community, fostering a sustainable model for local growth.

Brad also recognizes the importance of diversifying Chicago’s industry base. He’s championed initiatives in clean energy, life sciences, and film, all of which offer substantial job creation potential. One standout achievement has been the expansion of the film tax credit, which has reinvigorated Chicago as a sought-after production hub. As he explains, “Partnering with industry and labor organizations, we developed a fund that helps train residents from the South and West Sides in film production.” This program provides participants with skills for an industry where starting salaries often exceed $80,000.

Looking forward, Brad sees housing and childcare as two critical areas that Chicago must address to support economic resilience. Both issues directly impact workforce availability, and in Brad’s view, they are integral to attracting major investments, like the proposed $20 billion quantum computing campus. With an eye on the future, Brad is working to ensure that Chicago’s infrastructure can accommodate these next-generation industries.

When asked how he has sustained his drive over the years, Brad credits his early morning...

Kendra Cowart’s story is one of those rare, layered tales that invites you to question what you think you know about the so-called “right path” in life. Kendra’s journey began in the western suburbs of Chicago, where, despite an upbringing she describes as privileged, she never quite felt like she fit in. Struggling to connect with the people around her, she constantly felt a need to explore life beyond the surface-level ambitions that others seemed content with. For Kendra, life’s rejections and obstacles weren’t just hurdles to overcome—they were turning points that ultimately led her to a more fulfilling life.

At 21, Kendra met a mentor who changed her perspective on what life could be. This mentor didn’t just provide career advice or life tips; she asked Kendra a fundamental question, one that would shape her entire approach to life: “How are people experiencing you?” This question opened up an avenue of self-reflection that many of us don’t explore until much later in life, if at all. Kendra realized she was seeking validation in the wrong places and needed to understand herself first to make meaningful connections with others. This wasn’t about changing her personality but about recognizing her strengths and focusing on where she could grow.

Despite her eventual focus on coaching, Kendra’s path was anything but linear. She enrolled at the University of Missouri (Mizzou), hoping to find her “tribe,” but her expectations were met with more isolation. Mizzou, she found, wasn’t the dream college experience she’d hoped for. But this setback only fueled her to look inward. Watching others seemingly glide through life while she struggled, Kendra yearned for a community that shared her drive and curiosity. Her search would eventually lead her to the world of network marketing, a turning point that shifted her focus to personal development.

Network marketing introduced Kendra to a world of personal growth seminars and self-help books, a journey that would expose her to people living the life she envisioned. She credits this period as a “blessing in disguise”—one that equipped her with tools to face life’s challenges head-on. Through workshops, seminars, and a budding interest in personal development, Kendra began to see the true value of self-improvement. For her, these experiences highlighted the importance of mindset, a perspective she now brings into her own coaching.

Today, Kendra is a full-time coach, working with the Life Score Foundation on the South Side of Chicago, a wellness resource center focused on social and emotional learning, workforce development, and financial literacy. She describes her role not just as a job but as a calling. Working with Life Score allows her to bring the same transformative tools that shaped her life to others in her community. In Kendra’s words, she’s there to be “the spark plug,” igniting potential in people who may not yet see it in themselves.

Kendra’s story is also one of resilience in the face of societal expectations. As a Black woman, she’s seen how people often view her through a specific lens, one that doesn’t always align with her experiences or ambitions. She’s driven by a desire to dismantle stereotypes and build bridges between communities, bringing a holistic wellness approach to spaces that might otherwise focus only on the bottom line.

Through her coaching, Kendra helps clients recognize that setbacks and rejections aren’t just unfortunate events to get over. “It’s all protection,” she says, emphasizing that everything that happens—whether it’s people walking away or situations not working out—is ultimately for your highest good. She believes this mindset has allowed her to navigate life’s challenges with a sense of peace, knowing that every rejection has, in fact, redirected her toward something better.

For those struggling to find their footing, Kendra’s approach is refreshing. She encourages you to embrace the unknown and to

In the heart of Chicago, Julio Bañales took a leap of faith that not many would. Opening his dog grooming business, Mouse House, in the South Loop wasn’t just a professional move; it was a deeply personal decision born out of love, loss, and a desire to make a difference. After years of working for big companies like PetSmart and local family-run businesses, Julio realized that his passion went beyond the grooming table. It was about creating a space where animals could feel loved, and owners could trust that their pets were getting the best care possible.

When COVID hit, the world shifted for Julio, like it did for so many. He had been working steadily, but the pandemic made him rethink his priorities. The loss of his beloved dog, Maui, served as a wake-up call. "It made me realize, life is short," Julio says, reflecting on that time. It wasn’t that he disliked his job at Chrysler’s; it just wasn’t fulfilling him in the way he needed. The loss of Maui inspired Julio to open Mouse House in honor of his dog. "If we hadn’t found the location that we did, I don’t know if Mouse House would even be here," he admits. But once the doors opened, there was no turning back.

Julio’s approach to dog grooming goes far beyond the basics. For him, it’s not just about cutting fur or cleaning paws; it’s about love. "We promise to love your animal the way you do," he shares. Julio’s philosophy is centered on comfort over vanity. If a dog’s coat is matted, it’s not about maintaining a specific look; it’s about ensuring the pet’s well-being. This functional approach is what sets Mouse House apart from other groomers in the city. Julio wants each dog to feel like they're in a safe, loving space, and that’s why he’s built an environment where animals can be animals.

Decorating the space has been another labor of love for Julio. Every season, Mouse House is transformed with new themes, bringing warmth and personality into the shop. From festive blankets to seasonal decor, Julio creates an atmosphere that clients—both pets and humans—appreciate. “People love to see the decorations,” he says, and it’s clear that this attention to detail extends to every aspect of his business.

One of the hardest parts of Julio’s work is dealing with senior dogs or pets who are a little more skittish. "I like to do meet and greets," he explains, noting that some dogs come in with nervous energy, especially if they’ve had bad experiences at other groomers. "We try to eliminate every stress factor," he says, describing how he adjusts the environment to make each pet as comfortable as possible. The open, kennel-free setup at Mouse House helps dogs feel less confined and more at ease.

Over the years, Julio has built a team that shares his passion. Working alongside his wife, Lisa, and his growing team of groomers, Mouse House has become more than just a business—it’s a family. "It’s a growing family," Julio says, adding that their camaraderie extends to the dogs they care for. "The dogs feed off the environment," he shares, emphasizing how much the energy in the room affects the animals' experience.

When it comes to running his business, Julio admits he didn’t have all the answers at first. But that didn’t stop him. "There’s no better time than now," he advises anyone considering starting their own venture. Julio dove into entrepreneurship with heart, learning as he went. He didn’t wait for the perfect business plan or website. Instead, he trusted his instincts, leaned into his passion, and let social media do the talking. "Instagram has been a big help," he says, noting that his humorous posts and behind-the-scenes videos have helped build a loyal following.

For anyone thinking about jumping into their passion, Julio offers this advice: "Don’t go into it with a money mindset. Go into it with love, and everything will fall into place." It’s that love that has...