Impact Investing: Putting Your Money to Work for Good

Can you imagine your investments not only reaping financial returns, but also supporting societal change? Welcome to social impact investing, a trend that’s gaining momentum as investors realize that profit and impact are not mutually exclusive. “Investors now are asking, ‘How can I do well in my investments and do good for others and the […]

Do Traditional Rules of Etiquette Apply in Our Modern World?

A generation ago, the rules of etiquette dictated pretty clearly how we should conduct ourselves in different situations. But, it’s a whole new world (filled with all kinds of new technology), leaving a lot of room for error when it comes to modern manners. “Etiquette is defined as societal norms of politeness, so of course […]

Expert Advice for Starting Your Own Business

Have you always dreamed of owning your own business? Getting a business successfully off the ground isn’t easy, but it is possible—especially if you have a team of experts to show you the ropes. We’ve gathered the advice of a seasoned startup advisor, a marketing and PR professional, a franchise consultant, entrepreneurship educators and local […]

Investor Tips from Susan B. Noyes on CNBC's "Closing Bell"

Susan B. Noyes, Founder of Make It Better Media and the Tech Mamma Lounge, was a guest on CNBC’s “Closing Bell” on Friday, Feb. 27 and explained that she remains bullish on and strongly invested in tech stocks. Computers, mobile devices and the leading companies that interface with them have simply become too ingrained in […]

Avoiding the Winter Blues

As Midwesterners we’re no strangers to layering up on clothes and trekking in knee-deep snow. It’s made us tougher in the winter and more appreciative in the summer. But we’ll admit, those frigid months from November to (let’s be honest) April, can wear us down. So what should you do to avoid those dreary winter […]

‘Sweets’ For Your Sweetheart

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching… don’t forget to stop by Nothing Bundt Cakes in Skokie for your sweetheart! Nothing says “I love you” like the handcrafted goodness of a Nothing Bundt Cake. This Valentine’s Day, share the love and if you’re lucky, they’ll share a piece. This cute boutique not only has delectable cakes, but […]

How Do You Get the Cool House on the Block?

As a parent, I always wanted the home where the neighborhood kids wanted to hang out in. I thought it would keep my own children close, where I felt they were safest. I also love to entertain, and not just during the holidays. A week doesn’t go by without some friends or family stopping by […]

Learn to Invest Like Warren Buffett

Would you like to make more money in the stock market? (We think we know your answer.) If you think that means you have to have an MBA or step way outside of your comfort zone, think again. Author LouAnn Lofton says that qualities like patience, prudence and a realistic outlook—traits women tend to exhibit […]

7 Ways to Keep Your Competitive Side in Check

People can get quite competitive when it comes to New Year’s resolutions—but making an effort to minimize your own competitiveness may be the best resolution of them all. If you’ve noticed that competitiveness has negative effects on your interpersonal relationships, then it’s worth noting that competition between adults is only the tip of the iceberg. […]