Welcome to the first annual Faces of Chicago. Below, we introduce you to the people behind the businesses that make our city unique. Every day we cross paths with countless people as we go about our busy lives — some we interact with, while others we merely pass as they peek into a shop window or send a text. Many of them are the ones who make our favorite local businesses grow and thrive, so take a moment to really come face to face with these important Chicago personalities. Because when you think about it, every business is a people business.
Photos by Todd Rosenberg.
The Faces of Architecture, Custom Home Building and Remodeling
Anthony Perry and Tony Perry, A. Perry Homes
A. Perry Homes are the architects, builders, and remodelers of choice for families who believe that making their dream home should be worry free and designed for their needs in mind. Whether your project consists of updating a condo in the city, a new gourmet kitchen, a whole house renovation, or a custom home, our team is ready to design and build something special for you.
With over 30 years of award-winning experience and a reputation that is unmatched in the industry, we are uniquely qualified to serve you best. Allow us to demonstrate the value the design build can offer.
1220 Washington Ave.
Wilmette
847-549-0668
Anthony@APerryHomes.com
The Face of Setting the Standard of Excellence
Clifford Law Offices
Robert A. Clifford founded Clifford Law Offices in 1984, and it has grown to a nationally recognized personal injury/wrongful death firm based in Chicago that consistently receives multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements. U.S. News-Best Lawyers selected Mr. Clifford as one of the top in the area of plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation. He is an Illinois Super Lawyer, Illinois Leading Lawyer, and one of Chicago’s “30 Toughest Lawyers” as named by Chicago Magazine. One of Bob’s most notable cases is the $29.6 million verdict for Rachel Barton, an internationally-acclaimed violinist who was severely injured by a Metra train. In 2014, Bob was the lead negotiator in the $1.2 billion dollar settlement of numerous 9/11 property damage claims following the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York. Robert Clifford is committed to pursuing justice for his clients.
120 N. LaSalle St., 31st Floor
Chicago
312-899-9090
rclifford@cliffordlaw.com
The Face of Design
Mick De Giulio, de Giulio kitchen design
In the hierarchy of the home, the kitchen has reached the top of the list for many homeowners. Mick De Giulio, founder and owner of de Giulio kitchen design, has been at the forefront of the kitchen’s rise to importance over the more than 40 years that he has been creating beautiful kitchens. Widely recognized for his distinctive residential projects, with installations not only throughout the Chicago area, but across the U.S. and abroad, De Giulio has authored two books on kitchens and design, and his work is frequently published internationally by leading design magazines. His portfolio has evolved to include not only kitchens, but all parts of the home, as well as commercial and product design. His award-winning collection of sinks for Kallista and recently completed 11,000 sq. ft. Inspiration Studio at Abt Electronics in Glenview are just two great examples.
1121 Central Ave.
Wilmette
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 121
Chicago
847-256-8833
info@degiuliodesign.com
The Faces of Family-Owned Depot Nuevo on the North Shore
Depot Nuevo
Rob and Ann Garrison opened Depot Nuevo in 2007. Depot Nuevo is a family-owned, award-winning Mexican restaurant, tequila bar, and brew pub located in downtown Wilmette in the Historic Train Depot. The depth of knowledge and long years of experience set this team apart and has resulted in many awards including Depot Nuevo listed as one of the best tequila bars in the country. All of the management team and many of the servers and bartenders have participated in brewing beer in our own brewery and touring tequila farms and distilleries in Mexico — the result is a much more detailed understanding of the process and characteristics of the different tequilas. Come try a flight of beer or tequila!
1139 Wilmette Ave.
Wilmette
847-251-3111
Rob@thenoodlecafe.com
The Faces of Wealth Management and Financial Planning
Eastgate Capital Advisors, LLC
As a lighthouse may help a sailboat navigate by avoiding rocks and finding a safe port, Felicia Davis O’Malley and the team at Eastgate Capital Advisors light a path to a secure future for their clients and families. Every client has unique goals. Eastgate partners with clients to navigate to the future they envision. “It is very rewarding,” says Felicia, “to show clients and their families that they can realistically achieve their life goals. I am honored to help clients plan for retirement, college, house purchases, grandchildren, and everything else on their unique journey.”
Eastgate uses an ensemble approach to deliver financial planning and asset management services. The team is comprised of seasoned professionals with differing competencies and disciplines. Felicia and her husband, John, are both multi-generation North Shore residents and raised their family in Winnetka.
560 Green Bay Road, Suite 101
Winnetka
312-690-4902
fomalley@eastgateca.com
The Face of Aesthetics and Anti-Aging Medicine
Josie Tenore, M.D., MSc, BCIM, FreshSkin Medical Spa & Wellness Center
“Beauty begins with Beautiful Skin, and Beautiful Skin begins with a Healthy Body.” Dr. Josie’s philosophy is rooted in personalized beauty and functional medicine, serving Chicago’s North Shore community since 1998.
A self- proclaimed “restoration artist,” she believes that everyone deserves to look better, as long as they look like themselves and not some Hollywood distortion of who they were. She recognizes, however, that sometimes beauty, for both men and women, cannot be completely achieved without some investigation into one’s genetics, hormone, and other wellness panels. She appreciates that patients no longer want to take drugs, and has created supplements to help patients optimize their health.
FreshSkin Medical Spa & Wellness Center is dedicated to true health and wellness of the skin and body. Their goal is to help both men and women combat the effects of aging in order to look, feel, and function at their personal best.
595 Elm Place, Suite 208
Highland Park
847-681-8821
The Faces of 50 Years of the Best Painting in Chicago
Jeff Hester and Stephen Hester, Hester Painting & Decorating
The owners and designers of the finest homes in the Chicago area turn to Hester Painting & Decorating for an extensive repertoire of high-end finishes as well as the highest quality painting, furniture, and cabinetry refinishing, and paperhanging. Widely regarded by top designers and architects as the experts in painting and decorating, Hester Painting & Decorating creates walls that our customers often refer to as works of art.
We are delighted to be celebrating our 50th Anniversary this year. As a third-generation, family-owned business we remain true to the values on which our business was built. When Tom Hester started this company in 1968 his mission was simply “to be the highest quality painting contractor around.” That mission still remains our top priority 50 years later.
Our service-oriented and award-winning team now spans residential and commercial painting as well as home maintenance. We are honored to win Best of 2018 for both Interior Painting and Exterior Painting categories, and we are proud that we are the only company to win the Painting category every year it has been on the ballot!
7340 N. Monticello Ave.
Skokie
847-677-5130
shester@hesterdecorating.com
The Face of Learning Through Play
Sheridan Turner, Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago
In the time it takes you to read this article, a 1-year-old child’s brain will have formed more than 50 million new synapses.
Sheridan Turner understands the power and importance of giving young children the opportunity to maximize their brains at a very early age. In 2018, she marks her 20th year leading Kohl Children’s Museum, one of the nation’s leading institutions designed to build a foundation for a lifetime of learning through one simple tool: Play.
Now, she is developing a playbook to grow the Museum even more, adding new exhibit and flexible use space. She is also pioneering a pop-up museum concept that can be taken directly to low-income communities, providing children free playful learning opportunities right where they live.
Her vision for the Museum is simple: Be an essential leader to inspire every child. After all, childhood doesn’t get a second chance.
2100 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview
847-832-6600
info@kcmgc.org
The Face of Joan McCarthy Lasonde
Loving One, Fighting for 18,000
Five years ago, Joan and her family made the important decision on behalf of one abandoned little girl, a 4-year-old foster child. What started as an effort to help one child now drive’s Joan to advocate for our most vulnerable. There are over 18,000 children in Illinois’ foster care system and 3,347 are waiting to be adopted.
It’s the best kept secret — or maybe the worst, as only a few talk about how badly these children need a home. Joan hosts educational meetings, including one this upcoming fall, on becoming a foster parent, CASA member, or temporary respite. It is one of the reasons she is running for State Senate in the 9th District. Because someone has to fight for these forgotten children.
912 Sherman Ave.
Evanston
Paid for by Joan for Illinois
The Faces of Main Street, Evanston
Experiential Retail
Remember these words: Experiential retail. Brick-and-mortar shops use this exciting new trend to provide engaging in-store experiences that captivate customers, enticing them to visit and come back for more — and by prioritizing innovation, collaboration, and community, Main Street in Evanston is a thriving example of the trend’s success. The passionate business owners here are storytellers first and foremost, treating their customers to personalized experiences that translate to so much more than just a shopping trip. From wine to wisteria, beer on tap to textiles, and so much more, you can find it all on Main Street in Evanston.
- Photo (counterclockwise from seated): Diana Hammond, Wine Goddess; Cesar Marron, Sketchbook Brewing Company; Amalia Malos, Evanston Stitchworks; Steve Schwartz, Campagnola; Tim Peterson, Squeezebox; Louise Rosenberg, Cultivate Urban Rainforest & Gallery
The Face of Wedding and Event Planning
Megan Estrada, North Shore Weddings & Events
Megan Estrada, of North Shore Weddings & Events, is probably the most notable name in event planning in the Chicago North Shore. Since opening her company in 2011, she has won “Best Event Planner” with Make It Better in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Recently, Partyslate.com named her the “Top 30 Event Planners” in the country. She’s known for her understated elegant design, strong management skills, and fun personality. The most talked about events, in Chicago, are often a result of her planning.
North Shore Weddings & Events provides full and partial event planning for smaller home parties to large glamorous affairs. Estrada believes, “every event is unique, just like the people planning it,” and therefore every event gets personalized design and management, while following a strong process, to make the planning easy, fun, and organized.
990 Green Bay Road, Suite 2
Winnetka
312-546-2360
megan@northshoreevents.com
The Faces of American Red Cross Home Fire Responders and Smoke Alarm Installers
Celena Roldán (CEO), Morris Bowie, Rich Arons, Angie Chiesa, Candance Averyhart
Home fires are the most common disaster the American Red Cross responds to, killing seven people each day across the country. The statistics are staggering. A recent survey by the Red Cross found that many Americans have a false sense of security about their family’s ability to escape a home fire, even though they haven’t taken key steps to keep their loved ones safe. Red Cross home fire responders, most of whom are volunteers, are on-call 24/7 to respond to an average of three to four home fires that take place every single day. And, dedicated volunteers who believe that every smoke alarm is a chance to save a life, install free smoke alarms across the Chicago and northern Illinois region. Join us in our effort to make northern Illinois safer! Volunteer or donate at redcross.org.
2200 W. Harrison St.
Chicago
312-729-6100
The Faces of The North Shore’s Finest Roofer
Cedar Roofing Company, LLC
Cedar Roofing Company, LLC has been proudly serving Chicago’s North Shore since 1982. From humble beginnings installing cedar shakes, CRC has expanded its roofing services to include asphalt, slate, tile, metal, and flat roofing. We’re also very proud to be considered the area’s finest custom metalwork and gutter contractor. Our team of professionals view every job as an opportunity to establish a new relationship, working to help you protect your biggest investment — your home. We bring our expertise and attention to detail to every project, large and small. CRC works to give you the best experience possible by listening to your needs, delivering on promises, and providing exceptional products and craftsmanship. The result is providing you with a roofing system that we can be proud of and that you can rely on for years to come.
27820 N. Irma Lee Circle
Lake Forest
847-247-4400
info@cedarroofingcompany.com
The Faces of Innovation in Real Estate
Compass Real Estate
Compass’ mission to help everyone find their place in the world has expanded to the North Shore where Rachael Mann leads the Winnetka office as Managing Director. Compass takes a high-tech, high-touch approach, combining the best agents, a top-tier creative studio, and unparalleled reach and resources. With Mann at the helm of the Winnetka office, knowledge and care for the community is unparalleled. Mann became a Managing Director in 2015 at CONLON, which was acquired by Compass in May of this year. Her dedication to helping agents provide their clients with the best service possible is unwavering and she believes that with Compass technology at their fingertips, agents will be better advisors to their clients. As the sixth largest brokerage nationally, after being founded five years ago, Compass is positioned to lead the Chicagoland and North Shore real estate industry in innovation.
565 Lincoln Ave.
Winnetka
847-242-7600
rachael.mann@compass.com
The Face of Ilene Chase Design
New Studio Opening
Nestled in the heart of Wilmette, Ilene Chase Design Studio is the dream and vision of Ilene Chase since the onset of establishing her Interior Design business 25 years ago. Ilene and her team bring to the North Shore a unique opportunity for clients to step into this design oasis and create their dream space. The studio is filled with one-of-a-kind pieces and encourages clients to come in and experience this boutique-style collaboration. Ilene Chase continues to travel the world to stay on top of trends and to bring back truly unique designs to the Chicagoland area.
1218 Washington Ave.
Wilmette
847-828-0305
info@ilenechasedesign.com
