Mind Ya Business

El Teatro del Pueblo: How Karla Galvan Built a Cultural Institution and a Business A theater 22 years in the making, Karla Galvan runs Teatro Tariakuri out of the heart of Marquette Park on Chicago's southwest side, a bilingual theatrical and cultural center she built after hitting real walls in the arts world as a Mexican and Peruvian immigrant. Instead of walking away from the arts entirely,...

This week on Mind Ya Business, we sat down with Angie Maciel-Wright , first-generation Mexican-American, mother of two, and co-founder of La Casa Playroom , a bilingual, multicultural play space at 4371 S. Archer Avenue in Brighton Park on Chicago's southwest side. Angie's story starts where so many entrepreneurial journeys do, with a problem nobody else was solving. When she became a mom, she loo...

From birthday cakes to brick-and-mortar: Rachel Díaz of Borinken Cakes on pivots, pan sobao, and building a business that represents. This week, Rachel sits down with us to talk about the full arc; From family kitchen to pop-ups to a mall kiosk to multiple storefronts, and what it actually took to know this was more than a hobby. And if you've been sleeping on TikTok for your business? Rachel...

Jesse Iñiguez grew up in a neighborhood with no coffee shops, so he built one. But Back of the Yards Coffee was never just about the coffee. It was about proving that communities like his deserve quality, investment, and a place to gather. In this episode, Jesse breaks down the business model behind the mission, the growing pains of scaling a vertically integrated operation, and why he believes co...

We're back ... & better than ever. 2025 laid the foundation. Now, Mind Ya Business is stepping into a bigger role. In this reintroduction episode, our full Southwest Collective small business team — Jamie (Business Operations & Marketing), Marlin (Human Resources), and Hugo (Design & Strategy) — sits down to tell you exactly who we are, what we're continuing to do, and what we&...

In part 2 of our Chambers of Commerce conversation, Jaime walks us through what it actually took to launch a chamber on Chicago’s southwest side — the grind, the organization, the community work, and the lessons learned in the trenches. We break down the blueprint for starting a sustainable Chamber, the patterns that usually signal one won’t survive long-term, and the behind-the-scenes issues most...

Tapping into your local Chamber of Commerce can be a major glow-up for your business… if you pick the right one. In this episode, we break down what a Chamber actually does , the different forms it can take, and how to spot whether it’s truly serving its members or just running on vibes. We’re talking pitfalls to avoid, the red flags that scream “don’t waste your membership fee,” and the green fla...

In uncertain times, even the strongest businesses feel the pressure. Episode 6 of Mind Ya Business explores how to adapt when foot traffic slows, revenue dips, and every dollar counts. Learn how to assess your costs, restructure your operations, and prepare your business to weather financial setbacks without losing momentum. Whether you’re a storefront owner, service provider, or solo entrepreneur...

Ever wonder who handles what when it comes to running a business in Chicago? In this episode of Mind Ya Business , we break down the roles and responsibilities across the City of Chicago, Cook County, and the State of Illinois. From licensing and permits to taxes and regulations, we help business owners navigate the maze of government departments—so you know exactly who to call when “that’s not my...

Every entrepreneur has those little habits, mindsets, or “business icks” that creep in and hold them back from real growth. In this episode of Mind Ya Business , we unpack the most common red flags—like overcomplicating your processes, avoiding tough conversations, or getting stuck in social media delusion—that can stall your momentum. Tune in for practical advice and honest reflections on how to...

Too many entrepreneurs treat their ventures like side projects—and it shows. In this episode, we unpack the mindset shift every business owner needs to make: taking your business seriously from day one. From setting up proper systems and pricing strategies to respecting your own time and value, we’ll cover the practical steps that separate a hustle from a business. Whether you’re just starting out...

In this episode, we discuss what business owners and entrepreneurs should do once they're ready for that next step in their journey. From who should work in their business in the first few stages, to the development of a full fleshed brand identity, no new business formula is built the same. We're not scared ... and neither should you. Take that leap of faith with us!

Welcome to Mind Ya Business — the podcast where smart moves fuel sustainable growth. Each week we break down the real stuff small business owners need to know — from business planning and branding to operations, and compliance — without the fluff or the fine print. In this episode, our team will introduce themselves, their backgrounds, and respective fields of expertise. We will also talk about th...