Giving Tuesday - November 28, 2017
Help ICNC's small businesses create jobs in local communities on Giving Tuesday! Take a look at the stories below from just a few of our Make City companies and the impact they've had on our local community with the jobs their businesses have created.
Crockett CookiesA former Executive Director and Development Professional, Cheryl Crockett, owner of Crockett Cookies, has found her sweet spot in baking home-style butter cookies. In 2013, Cheryl began baking in her home kitchen. As the sales of her cookies grew, she moved to a shared kitchen, and eventually to Make City (the manufacturing incubator of the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago). Since moving into Make City, Cheryl's bakery has created 6 jobs which include positions in administration, product delivery, baking, and quality control.
While Cheryl is relatively new to the baking industry, her floor manager and lead baker, Rashid hails from a family of professional bakers. Rashid has been employed with Crockett Cookies for nearly three years and aspires to solidify his career in baking by earning a union certification for baking. |
  |
EMT Training Program
  |
Did you know that ICNC hosts an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training program that is designed to provide women with the technical training and skills necessary to obtain a professional career in the healthcare industry? The EMT program is designed for women who are the heads of households, who live or work in the city of Chicago and surrounding suburban areas.
Lateshi, pictured far left said, “This program has had a great impact on my life and has offered me great opportunities to further my education in the medical field. "The months I’ve spent training to become a nationally certified EMT have been the most rewarding of my life," said Lauren H. pictured left. 262 women have successfully graduated from the program since 2008. Your contributions can help ICNC continue to offer the EMT training program tuition free and assist local Chicago women obtain economic self-sufficiency. |
Green Diaper Babies
|
A love for all things family combined with a commitment to sustainable efforts to protect the environment are the reasons why Shannon Griffith, owner of Green Diaper Babies, gave birth to her very own cloth diaper delivery business. Since starting her business in August of 2013 to serve families in the City of Chicago, Shannon has created 5 jobs to cover warehouse operations, direct delivery to families, and inventory.
Ashly is one of the 5 employees of Green Diaper Babies and was unemployed before beginning her warehouse position 12 months ago. In her current role, Ashly oversees quality control and is responsible for inventory, diaper inspection, and when necessary, delivering diapers to families. She shared that during her tenure with Green Diaper Babies she has experienced a heightened sense of humility, the importance of multi-tasking, and an appreciation for the fact that she is making an impact on families in Chicago. Ashly looks forward to expanding her role within Green Diaper Babies and being a member of the company’s team for the long term. |
  |
Your contributions will help ICNC support more small businesses similar to those shared here.
Modern Sprout
  |
A mere bud of an idea has resulted into a blossoming business for Sarah Burrows and Nick Behr, owners of Modern Sprout. Modern Sprout manufactures indoor gardening kits and hydroponic planters. Rooted in family, the branches of the Modern Sprout story are inspiring. When they initially moved into ICNC’s incubator, Make City, Sarah and Nick leased a space of about 2,000 square feet. When their innovative products were noticed and placed on Oprah’s Favorite Things List, Modern Sprout had to quickly uproot and move into its current home of 20,000 square feet.
About three years ago, Corina joined the Modern Sprout team and in time she has been joined by her daughter Rosaura, her namesake and granddaughter, Corina, and her grandson, Mario. Sarah and Nick are honored to have three generations of a family working within Modern Sprout's team. In alignment with their rapid expansion, Modern Sprout has grown its initial team which included Sarah, Nick, and Fern who serves as the Operations Manager to 12 staff members. The staff perform duties such as product assembly, shipping logistics, customer service, and operations. |
Taylor Street Soap Co.
|
Rachel Wiandt, owner of Taylor Street Soap Co., employs creatives who thrive on interacting with the public to share her artisan bath and body care products at trade shows throughout the country, as well as at local artisan shows in Chicago.
Since moving her business from her home to ICNC’s incubator in July of 2017, Rachel’s business has doubled, and she is excited to see how her business growth will affect how her team will grow. |
  |