Startup investing and venture capital are sexy. Who wouldn’t want to say that they were smart enough (furious air quotes implied) to find the next Google, Uber, or OpenAI?

However, small businesses remain the backbone of the US economy, accounting for nearly half of all private sector jobs in the US. Additionally, 2021 saw record growth in small business creation despite the uncertainty of COVID, climate change, and myriad other macro factors.

As someone who is as committed to the success of my local community as much if not more than my own personal success, I am exploring opportunities to add value to Chicago and Northern Indiana small businesses:

• Mentoring & networking
• Business financing options
• Commercial real estate financing options
• Equity investments

Currently, I am focused on providing advisory support through friends and family, local organizations, and entrepreneurship labs in the Chicagoland area.