Schaumburg Speaks

With the 2026 Presidents Cup just days away, we’re taking you behind the scenes of one of the biggest sporting events ever to come to our area. We sat down with Joie Chitwood, Executive Director of the 2026 Presidents Cup, Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly, and Tony LaFrenere, Executive Director of the Schaumburg Park District and PGA Professional, to talk about what it took to bring this incredible eve...

In this episode of  Schaumburg Speaks , Andrea Biwer, President of the Schaumburg Business Association, sits down with  Theresa Sakas, Founder of Total Wellness , for an inspiring conversation about healthy aging, intentional living, and the power of small daily choices. With more than 30 years of experience helping people create healthier, more fulfilling lives, Theresa shares her  “Do One Great...

What does it really take to grow a business and sustain that growth for the long haul? In this episode of Schaumburg Speaks, host Andrea Biwer, President of the Schaumburg Business Association, sits down with Kathy Steele, CEO of Red Caffeine, to explore why successful growth goes far beyond traditional marketing. Kathy shares how Red Caffeine approaches business as a growth consultancy, helping o...

What makes an event truly stand out? In a world full of invites, the most successful events create energy, connection, and an experience people won’t forget. In this episode, host Andrea Biwer, President of the Schaumburg Business Association, sits down with Girard Hendelman, Co-President of Casino Parties with The GSH Group, to break down what it really takes to create memorable, high-impact even...

Technology is essential to every business—but managing it doesn't have to be overwhelming. In this episode of  Schaumburg Speaks , I sit down with  Jim Burke, COO of Links Technology Solutions , to talk about why more businesses are turning to  Managed IT Services  to stay secure, productive, and ahead of today's ever-changing technology landscape. We discuss: ✔️ What Managed IT really mea...

Health insurance isn’t just a cost, it can be a powerful strategy for growing and strengthening your business. In this episode, host  Andrea Biwer, President of the Schaumburg Business Association , sits down with  Michael Telesky, Vice President of Sales at UnitedHealthcare , to explore how employers can rethink benefits to attract talent, manage costs, and stay competitive. They cover:💡 Why hea...

In this episode, host  Andrea Biwer, President of the Schaumburg Business Association , sits down with two incredible guests to explore Schaumburg’s exciting new lifestyle brand campaign:✨  “Your Village. Your Vibe. Your Schaumburg.” Joining the conversation:🔹  Liz Dechant , Assistant Economic Development Director for the Village of Schaumburg🔹  Christiana Henry , Red Caffeine Together, they di...

Mental health impacts our workplaces, families, and daily lives, and it’s a conversation we can’t ignore. In this episode, host  Andrea Biwer, President of the Schaumburg Business Association , is joined by  Brianna Hewitt and   Lauren Dineen-Griffin  from  Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital  to talk about how to better support those around us—and ourselves.   They share insight...

Great events don’t just happen—they’re created. On this episode of  Schaumburg Speaks , Andrea Biwer, President of the SBA sits down with Jeff Bizar along with Wes Owens, Partners at Bizar Entertainment, to talk about what it really takes to turn an ordinary event into an unforgettable experience. From talent and production to customer service and creativity, we dive into the formula behind their...

SCHAUMBURG SPEAKS!  Join us as we talk with SBA’s Amanda Moreau about  Lemonade Day Schaumburg,  a fun and impactful program that teaches local youth how to start and run their very first business! From budgeting and marketing to customer service, these young entrepreneurs are learning real-world skills with support from mentors and sponsors.   On  July 16 , 2026 lemonade stands will pop up across...

On this episode of  Schaumburg Speaks , we sit down with  Karen Enzenbacher , owner of  Amethyst Skye Salon & Extension Bar , and her talented stylist  Sara Hoefort , fresh off their incredible experience working backstage at  Paris Fashion Week ! From high-energy backstage moments to bringing the latest global trends back to their clients in the Northwest suburbs, Karen and Sara share what it...

In this heartfelt episode, host  Andrea Biwer , President of the Schaumburg Business Association, sits down with  Jim Fabbrini ,  President of Fabbrini Flowers, and his son  Jack Fabbrini, General Manager , who is carrying the family legacy forward.   From decades of dedication to the floral industry to the evolution of a multi-generational business, this conversation highlights the passion, chall...

SCHAUMBURG SPEAKS,   Building a Legacy In this episode of  Schaumburg Speaks , host Andrea Biwer sits down with James Weinold, CEO of BEAR Construction, and Alicia Gabriel, Account Executive at BEAR Construction and SBA Board Member, to talk about what it really means to  build a legacy . From humble beginnings to leading projects across municipalities, education, healthcare, industrial, retail, a...

In this episode of Schaumburg Speaks, host Andrea Biwer, President of the Schaumburg Business Association, sits down with Patrick Panayotov, Partner at Proceed Innovative LLC, former Chairman of the SBA Board, and current board member  . Patrick shares insights on: ✅ Building and leading a successful digital marketing and innovation-driven company ✅ The biggest challenges businesses are facing t...

In this episode of Schaumburg Speaks, host Andrea Biwer, President of the Schaumburg Business Association, talks with Rich Bobby, CEO of Little City, about how supporting local nonprofits creates meaningful impact for businesses, employees, and the community. Rich shares his path to nonprofit leadership, the mission of Little City, and why partnerships between businesses and nonprofits matter now...

We’re kicking off 2026 by plugging into local business & community with a leader you’re going to want to hear from! On the latest episode of Schaumburg Speaks, host Andrea Biwer, President of the Schaumburg Business Association, sits down with Gregg-Brooke Koleno, Partner & Podcaster at IA Business Advisors and the 2026 Chair of the SBA Board. 💡 From Gregg’s personal journey and career pa...

In this inspiring episode, host  Andrea Biwer, President of the Schaumburg Business Association , sits down with  Aneta Takeva , Founder of  Aneta Art Classes – School of Creativity , to explore why creativity is  so much more  than an art project — it’s one of the most essential skills for future leaders. Aneta shares how structured creative education strengthens confidence, problem-solving, inde...

In this episode of  Schaumburg Speaks , host  Andrea Biwer  takes listeners inside one of the most community-driven hotels in our region — the  Holiday Inn Chicago Schaumburg . Guest  Belen Loza , Sales Manager, shares an inside look at how hospitality is evolving, what travelers are looking for in 2025 and 2026, and how Schaumburg’s hotels continue to support local business growth. Together, Andr...

Join  Kayleigh Endicott , Vice President of Events & Communications at the Schaumburg Business Association, as she sits down with  SBA President Andrea Biwer  to give you an inside look at the SBA’s signature event:  “Savour: Experience The Spirit of Culinary”  happening  Thursday, February 19, 2026  at the Schaumburg Corporate Center. Get the full scoop on what makes this one-of-a-kind networ...

In this episode of Schaumburg Speaks, host Andrea Biwer, President of the Schaumburg Business Association, welcomes Denise Hellstrom, Senior Account Executive at Landtrust Title and Chair of the SBA Real Estate Alliance Group. Denise offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Real Estate Alliance Group—its goals, impact, and how local professionals can participate and benefit from getting involved. Tu...

In this delicious episode of  Schaumburg Speaks , host Andrea Biwer, President of the Schaumburg Business Association, sits down with Bill Nevruz, Executive Partner at Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants — the man behind some of Schaumburg’s most beloved dining destinations, including Shaw’s Crab House and Tokio Pub.   For more than 25 years, Bill has been shaping the local dining scene with passion...

Branded merchandise is more than pens and mugs—it’s about making your business  memorable . In this episode, host  Andrea Biwer  sits down with  Fatima Deenaz & Jaffer Hussain , owners of  Fully Promoted Schaumburg , to explore how the right promo products can amplify your brand, boost visibility, and create lasting connections. From trade shows to client gifts, discover the trends, strategies...

Health insurance can be complicated—but it doesn’t have to be. On this week’s  Schaumburg Speaks  podcast, Andrea Biwer sits down with  Tom Conner of US Health Advisors  to talk about  The Health Plan Playbook : breaking down coverage options, clearing up confusion, and giving small businesses the tools they need to make smart decisions for themselves and their teams. From navigating new legislati...

Confidence starts with feeling good in your own skin. In this new episode of the  Schaumburg Speaks Podcast , host  Andrea Biwer  chats with  Dave Wisniewski  and  Giana Hernandez  of  Waxing the City Schaumburg  about how they’ve built more than a waxing studio—they’ve built a community centered on comfort, empowerment, and self-care. From breaking down the stigma around waxing to creating a welc...