Busby Group Gives Back 2023
At Busby Group, helping to create a better community for all Chicagoans is a foundational piece of our business, and our partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) is just one way we contribute.
Since November 2020, a portion of the proceeds from every Busby Group deal goes directly to GCFD via our year-long food drive (you can donate anytime!). To date we have raised funds for nearly 90,000 meals, making Busby Group the #12 overall fundraising team for GCFD. We also expanded our partnership this year with our first annual Busby Group Pantry Pickup, during which we collected nearly 1,000 food items! And the team has also been busy with their own charitable efforts too!
Julie
Julie has been on the board of Neighborhood Parents Network for several years. Julie is also actively involved with smaller local food pantries, sorting food and picking up donations on a regular basis. Both of Julie’s daughters are also running their own food drive right now, taking after their mom!
Barb
Served as the Chairman of the Veteran’s Committee for the Rush Women’s Board on this Road Home Project, which addresses the invisible wounds of war. One interesting event they hosted was mask making for vets. Each vet makes one and they are all very telling and therapeutic as it relates to their experiences.
Susan
Put together a Polar Plunge team that raised $10,405 to benefit Special Olympics. Also asked for donations to Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary in lieu of birthday gifts.
Jane
Makes donations and write in requests for NARAL and Planned Parenthood. Also a volunteer work for Vote Forward, writing letters to registered voters to encourage them to go and vote.
Pamela
Supports the Anti-Cruelty Society in the name of dog, Rubie, who was rescued from them.
Mara
Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center Board Member, working on the Luminary Award Dinner planning committee and the Night of Heroes planning committee. Also supported the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Walk and the World’s Most Beautiful Ride in Tahoe for blood cancers.
Maggie
Continues to volunteer with Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children’s Charities.
Amanda
Volunteers with Wicker Park Bucktown Mutual Aid.
Liza
Volunteers at Chicago Canine Rescue walking dogs with her daughter, and donates and fundraises for Balance, Inc., an organization that supports people with disabilities.
Michaela
Participated in Busby Group Pantry Pickup! Volunteered with a group of neighborhood women to revive our Edgebrook farmers market – and hosting a winter holiday market.
Celeste
Participated in Busby Group Pantry Pickup!
First annual Busby Group Pantry Pickup!
Did you know one in five Chicago households are experiencing food insecurity (a set of circumstances that prevent access to food) in 2023? At Busby Group we find that number not only devastating, but also inspiring to take action.
In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic when everything felt uncertain, Busby Group partnered with the Greater Chicago Food Depository. It felt like a tangible step toward helping in some way, and it was one of the best decisions we have made to date.
Since then, with a portion of every sale donated to the Food Depository, we have raised nearly $30,000 and over 88,000 meals – in fact, Busby Group is the #12 overall virtual food drive!
Those funds helped support the nearly 1.5M households served by the Food Depository network of more than 800 community partners in 2021 alone. And since the pandemic, those numbers have only continued to grow: last year the Food Depository provided 77.3M meals, which is a 25% increase compared to pre-pandemic times.
All of this to say, supporting our local community has always been a foundational aspect of Busby Group, and that commitment continues to grow. Our latest expression of that commitment is a new tradition Busby Group Pantry Pickup!
What is Busby Group Pantry Pickup?
The idea is simple: let us make it as easy as possible to support the Food Depository, plus say hello! The week October 23, the Busby Group team will caravan throughout the city picking up donations. We would love you to participate! Click below to schedule your preferred pickup date and time, and we will see you then!
Most needed food drive items
Peanut butter
Canned or dried beans
Canned soup/chili/stew
Canned fruit
Canned vegetables
Canned fish
Please avoid items in glass containers.
Donate directly to our virtual food drive
$1 helps provide 3 meals!
Click here>>
313 S Racine Penthouse B: An Unbeatable Location!
In my line of work, I see just about every nook and cranny of Chicago, and just like with my kids, I could never pick a favorite! Each location has something different to offer. For our incredible penthouse listing at 313 S Racine, location is at the forefront of what I love most about this home (don’t get me wrong, the home is spectacular inside too!).
In the heart of the city’s best dining
Always first on my mind is food and restaurants, so the first location highlight is its close proximity (walking distance!) to some of Chicago’s best restaurants. Everyone knows and loves Restaurant Row, but there are also many other must-visits close to this home. If you haven’t been to any of the following, I highly recommend making a reservation!
Monteverde (for pasta!)
El Che Steakhouse (a go-to favorite)
Cone Gourmet Ice Cream (the best!)
Greektown! Many of Chicago’s favorite restaurants are just down the street in Greektown. Athena’s patio in the summer is our favorite.
Museums and theaters
Yes we have museums and theaters throughout the city, but three of my favorites happen to be in this neighborhood including Chicago Children’s Theater (which offers shows and classes throughout the year), the Instagram haven also known as WNDR Museum and the National Hellenic Museum too!
Life between two parks
I love Chicago’s parks so much, and this home happens to be right between two great ones: Skinner Park to the west and Bartleme Park to the east. Skinner Park is seven acres, and features a field house, basketball court, baseball fields and a playgroup. Bartleme Park is much smaller, but just as great with a play area, sunken dog park and a beautiful viewing hill with city views! It also hosts the West Loop farmers market on Saturdays.
Convenience
This home is literally close to everything! Target is around the corner. Ogivlie Transportation Center and Union Station are down the street. You can easily walk to the Loop. And as far as highways, this home is also perfectly positioned between 290 for those heading west, and 90/94 for those heading north or south.
Easy access to education and institutions
Living near a school someone in your family attends is a game changer! This home is luckily close to four top institutions including Skinner West Elementary, Whitney Young Magnet High School, Saint Ignatius College Prep, Montessori Academy of Chicago and Rush and University of Illinois Chicago just on the other side of the highway.
Interior highlights
The interior of this home is as perfect as the location. Highlights include:
New construction 4-bed, 3.5-bath duplex penthouse with 2 living areas, 3 outdoor spaces, 10-foot ceilings and high-end finishes just finished by one of the city’s top builders in the perfect West Loop location
One of the building's largest roof decks featuring a built-in grill, east-facing city views and privacy fence
Sleek designer eat-in kitchen boasts all luxe appliances, huge 12-foot island with seating for 6, Quartz countertops and pantry
Private main level primary suite with 2 very generous walk-in closets and access to the second balcony and ensuite primary bath boasts floating double-bowl vanity, free-standing soaker tub, glass-enclosed walk-in rain shower and separate water closet
1 tandem parking space (fits 2 cars) with electric vehicle charging station (upgrade) in heated garage available for an additional $70K
Please contact me directly for a private showing of this amazing opportunity!
Three real estate considerations for growing families
As a real estate broker and mother of two, I know one thing for sure: the nesting aspect of pregnancy is very real – and no one escapes it! It makes sense since it forces parents to really prepare the physical spaces they live in day-to-day for a new baby.
I’ve seen some clients early in their pregnancy firmly believe they will stay put and make do in their current home once baby arrives. Then, all of the sudden the third trimester begins and BAM! Nesting in full force, and it becomes extremely urgent that they move to a bigger home. I have seen this happen countless times, and I am always happy to fly in with my cape and save the day!
Extra space is your friend
But truthfully, it never hurts to talk with a real estate broker early on in pregnancy because those of us who have been around the block will ask good questions like: where will visiting family/friends and/or additional support people sleep? Where will the stroller go? Will you have both a crib and bassinet and do they both fit where you want them to go?
As baby grows and continues to amass toys, a larger bedroom with space to play or a separate playroom/area becomes more and more necessary. And remember, storage baskets and/or an armoire are your friends! You can start to see how real estate does come into play with all of the scenarios.
Childcare/work from home setup
Then there are all the questions around childcare and careers. If you’re working from home, it is important to consider your work area and whether or not crying/playing sounds will carry. The first few months baby will be quiet, but trust me when I say they get very loud! If baby is headed to daycare, consider the daily commute time.
Floor plan considerations
Structural implications are important to consider too. Some new parents think a duplex up is a great solution, but then realize that means carrying diapers and strollers upstairs. I always call families that live on the top floor of a walkup “Super City Parents” because you have to really be up for that type of cardio everyday!
With many duplex floor plans, kid bedrooms and the primary suite are often separated, so that is something else to think about – sick days, baby feedings – these things matter. Also stairs! Think about whether or not you want interior stairs in your life.
Did you just turn your brain to mush? Hopefully at least some of this was helpful in kick starting your thought process. You can find many more helpful resources here – a destination we created specifically for growing families.
Please contact me anytime to discuss further. I have been through all of this firsthand, so I know how it goes!
Chicago is for everyone suburb highlight: Skokie
Welcome to Skokie – home of diversity, highly-rated schools, Pita Inn and Old Orchard Shopping Center. Although Skokie is well known for all of these, there is so much more Skokie has to offer. I was born and raised here, and it was an easy decision for my family to recently move back. Skokie is a suburb just north of the city, about 30 minutes (or more with Chicago traffic) outside of downtown. We have our very own CTA train – the beloved Yellow Line. It has two stops – one at Oakton and one at Dempster. If you need to go to Chicago, , you can hop on at either stop and ride to Howard to catch the Red Line into the city.
With a population of 66,000+, Skokie is one of the most diverse suburbs around. This is obvious just from looking at the food and grocery stores. Oakton Market is our go-to, with a massive selection of any and all ethnic foods you could dream of. Once I went for sesame seeds and there were 10+ options. I didn’t even know that there were that many types! If you want Greek quick service, there are three options within a mile of each other (Hubs, Dengeos, Grecian Kitchen). My tip? The lunch special at Hubs is cheap, huge and delicious. We even have a fully Kosher Dunkin Donuts plus many other Kosher restaurants nearby. Looking for Latin American small plates? Go to Libertad! Feels more like Thai? Get delivery from Tum Tim Thai on Oakton. The choices are endless and more importantly, tasty.
Having two small children, we were anxious about our neighborhood having enough for us to share with our kids. We were so pleasantly surprised to find the abundant options. We are doing something new every few weeks! The Skokie Public Library is so amazing that it borders on hard to describe. It’s great place for adults who want to work remotely, or for those who want to curl up in a big comfortable chair and read a book. The children’s section is brightly colored and full of classic and new books and educational toys. They even have some water play in the outside area in the warmer months. My girls are obsessed with the Skokie Bookmobile. It’s a mobile library that makes stops throughout the town. It’s so much fun to track it down and pick out books with the kids. A good tip – you can even return your library books OR pick up a book on hold from there and save yourself a trip!
My newest discovery? The Skokie Valley Trail. We hopped on our bikes and rode this beautiful trail last weekend, and it really transported us to feeling like we were in another place. You can ride through Skokie and into Sauganash through the woods. We have seen strollers, rollerbladers and people walking – it’s the perfect getaway for some peace and exercise. On the other side of the city is the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park. This trail is almost two miles of beautifully landscaped walkways with 60+ pieces of art to view. It has parking lots at multiple stops making it an easy place to get to if you don’t live nearby.
Below are some other places and things to do in Skokie that are some of our favorites. If you are looking for a tip or more information, feel free to contact me, I have all the inside information!
Sketchbook Brewing Company
Skokie Festival of Cultures
Illinois Holocaust Museum
Emily Oaks Nature Center
Kneads & Wants Bakery
North Shore Center For The Performing Arts
Skokie Sports Park
A round up of the best mom advice
I think we all know by now that if you ever need some real deal, nitty gritty, truthful advice – you have to consult a mom. Whether it’s your mom, a friend’s grandma or a fur baby mom, moms ALWAYS have the best advice. Even though I am a mom myself to two crazy daughters, I still find myself calling, texting and emailing my mom for advice. Whether I have questions on my career, my marriage or health insurance, she continue to amaze me with her wealth of solid advice.
So, I tapped into my community to ask them, “What is the best advice you have ever received from a mom?” And today, I wanted to share their answers with you in the hopes that you could read them and incorporate them into your life. Plus, if you have some advice to share, please send it to me so I can share with everyone. Good advice is golden and should be shared!
And, as my mom always taught me to be thankful, I need to say - THANK YOU to all moms. We wouldn’t be here without you.
“Never drink cheap alcohol! Always spend money on a good pair of shoes and an even better bra. Trust me, it’s worth it!” – My amazing mom
“Never date a man who has dirt under his nails. If he can’t clean his nails, he’s not worth it.” – Amy’s mom
“Never walk into a store without a coupon. Always ask for a markdown.” – Georgi’s mom
“If you get the opportunity to go out for some “you” time, take it! But more importantly, when you get home, don’t ridicule how your spouse did everything while you were away. They won’t load the dishwasher how you do; the kids may not have the right pajamas on (or even skipped bath) but it really does not matter in the grand scheme of things. What matters is that your kids are safe, and you had some time off!” – Brittany’s mom
“All of your plates can’t be spinning at once perfectly and that’s okay. Sometimes one area needs more focus and there will always be dishes. Just enjoy what you can while it’s there. And – make time for you and your spouse. Life gets busy and hard but it’s important to connect and remember why you wanted to start a life together in the first place!” – Caitlin’s mom
“Keep calm and drink wine on stroller walks!” – Ali’s mom
“Being a mom is all about keeping a million balls in the air but it’s important to know which are plastic and which are glass when inevitably you have to drop some.” – Kaitlin’s mom
“You have 18 summers with your kids so truly savor every one of them. And, everything is a season, so the hard days will eventually pass but so do the good ones. Just live in every moment.” – Stephanie’s mom
“Keep calm and drink wine on stroller walks!” – Ali’s mom
“Surround yourself with good people.” – Kierstyn’s mom
Eight tips to help survive mom guilt
By: Jane Lintelmann
“Who run the world? Girls.” – Beyonce
Beyonce may have said it best but it’s the working moms across the world that are proving her point day after day. Growing up, my mom had a (more than) full-time job and I always admired how easy she made it look. She was the first to get up and the last to go to sleep in our house. She never missed a soccer game, we took family vacations, and she was always around. When I talk to her now about those years, she laughs it off and talks about how much I didn’t know was happening behind the scenes. She mastered the balancing act of life as a working mom, and to me, she was amazing.
When I became pregnant with my first daughter, Harper, I immediately knew my life would change. My real estate career was taking off and I knew that I wanted to continue hitting the ground running despite a new baby. Once I overcame the shock of pregnancy, I started thinking about how I would really “do it all.” I, of course, went crying to my mom for advice. She told me the raw truth of what it would be like, not the fairy dust and glitter of how wonderful and amazing it will be. The main thing I recall her saying is, “You are not superwoman; you cannot do it all. Embrace the imperfections, just survive.”
Five years and two amazing daughters later, I am here and surviving! I helped co-found Busby Group as director of operations while also working as a full-time broker. My career has blossomed into something I could only dream of, and I push every day to set a positive example for my girls. It has not been all flowers and roses though, really far from it to be honest. But over the years, I have taken to heart all of the advice the working moms in my life have shared. Now I want to share some of those tips with you in the hopes that it helps you survive this crazy and wild time.
Create a rotating village
The first thing I’ve learned is the importance of creating your own village. Over the years, my husband and I have built a roster of help and support we can lean on. Our biggest plus was asking the kid’s daycare if they have any teachers who babysit outside of school. We were surprised to hear that about half of them do and at a normal hourly rate! We now use about three on a rotating basis along with select family, friends and neighbors. Another tip: rotating is important so that your kids get comfortable with all sorts of people!
Eliminate comparison
A cringe phrase for me, you ask? Mom guilt. But it’s almost impossible to avoid it when we are all surrounded by social media with influencers sharing their (supposedly) perfect kids and families on the daily. My advice? Unfriend. Stop following. Keep swiping. I always feel the mom guilt around the holidays when these people share hundreds of perfectly wrapped gifts, coordinating outfits and amazing decorated homes. Let’s be real, nobody’s home or kid is that perfect!
Flexibility is a life source
Covid changed our entire daily routine, and with that it helped me realize the importance of working as part of a flexible and understanding team. Do I want to keep my kid home again from school because they have a cough? No. But do I have a choice? Not really. Busby Group is 100% woman owned and operated, and many of us are also moms. There have been many times that I took my kids to an inspection or showing or had to nurse in the car before a walkthrough. I won’t even tell you how many times my kids have colored next to me at the table while I was on a Zoom. But this is life, and it’s comforting to know that my team is supportive, not just for me, but also because this support bleeds into how we treat our clients. Children are unpredictable, so we always welcome them for home tours, Zoom appointments and whatever else makes life easier.
Outsourcing saves time and sanity
Outsource, outsource, outsource. Instacart, cleaning person, laundry pickup, snow removal, public library, Target pickup. The list goes on and on. Places like the library, fast food play places and Target pickup are free game changers. Not having to get out of the car means you can continue to talk on that work call. And yes, a cleaning person and snow removal can be costly, but remember to weigh out the cost in terms of your time…and sanity! Bonus: Busby Group has ALL the contacts. Just let us know what you need, and we can send you a vendor to get the job done.
REST
And finally, if not most important, the power of rest. When the baby sleeps, we sleep? Hilarious. We all know that is far from the truth, but we also know how poorly we function on team no sleep. I know moms who get up and drink coffee hours before their kids wake because that is their alone and rest time. I couldn’t get up early if you paid me, which is why I am more of an 8PM in bed watching Housewives kind of mom. Find what works for you! A few of my mom friends also highly recommend taking a weekday off once a quarter to do something for yourself while your kids are at school/daycare.
You’re amazing
What I am trying to say with all this is that you are doing great, momma! At the end of the day, our kids are our biggest fans no matter what. They don’t care if you didn’t finish the laundry, dust the blinds or assemble homemade goody bags for their school’s Valentine’s Day. They just want you to be the best mom you can be, and I can assure you – you are!
One last tip
PS: If you’re reading this as a mom, please share a “mom hack” that has helped you over time. You can text, email or tag me on social media. I will share them as I get them so we can all put them in our repertoire. I will go first – after a long day I love putting my feet into the bathtub while the kids are in there for a massage. It’s not exactly The Peninsula but the warm bubble bath while the kids scrub them with their toys is fun for them and me.
Advice to our 23-year-old selves
Today we are doing something fun. At least once a week I find myself wishing I could go back and sit down with younger Julie, giving her some words of wisdom and maybe even a little tough love. If I knew then what I know now!
In honor of 2023, I asked the team what they would tell their 23-year-old self. Not shockingly a lot of them wish their younger selves would take more risks, and invest in the future! To all you young 20-somethings out there, take note! There is some great advice below!
Adriana: Continue learning and feeding your brain all kinds of information – from business to art and everything in between.
Ali: I wish I would have started saving 20% with every paycheck, and bought my own home in the city that would someday become an investment! I spent WAY too much money on rent.
Barb: Stop renting. Buy even a little apartment or home and take in a paying roommate if you have to!
Celeste: Invest in myself and to buy an investment property as soon as possible – ideally, a 3-flat that I could live in while renting out the other units.
Jane: Take more trips. Use more sunscreen.
Julie: Buy a property. If I have learned anything, it’s that real estate investing can start with baby steps. I bought my first condo at age 23. Then I sold it for a big profit and bought my first single-family home at 27. If I hadn’t made the original investment, I never would have been able to make the next step up.
In addition, keep in mind that location is key. And, I’m a big advocate of buying properties that need updating as that’s where you can usually get a “deal” and have opportunity for sweat equity, even if the market is slowing.
Liza: Seek out positive connections and mentors everywhere you can – learn from those you respect in all aspects of life: business, leadership, wellness, family life, etc. Good examples are out there and you should surround yourself with people that help you grow!
Maggie: Be more confident and stop caring what other people think!
Mara:
Love yourself and your body
Follow your instincts/gut
Don’t lose yourself – have your own identity
Don’t waste time on things that do make you happy…
Do things for others without expecting anything in return
Pamela: Don’t wait for tomorrow, next week, next month or next year. In other words don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Whether or not it feels this way to you now – realize life is short, so live it!
The BG team expands: Welcome Celeste Chicas!
Welcome to the team, Celeste! I am so excited to have Celeste join the team because she brings not only a great “can do attitude,” but years and years of real estate law experience. She knows contracts inside and out, and is able to translate complex legal jargon. I have already seen her knowledge as a great asset to her clients!
To help everyone get to know Celeste better, she answered some fun questions about her background and the year ahead.
What did you do before starting in real estate?
Before starting my career in real estate I worked in real estate law and intellectual property law for more than a decade.
What is your favorite part of working in real estate?
My favorite part of real estate is being of service to people transitioning to the next chapter of their life and meeting new people.
What does your typical day entail?
My typical day starts with a cup of coffee, a walk with my dog and some exercise. I have a nice breakfast before I check my email then prepare for a day of showings, inspections or meetings with clients.
What drew you to Busby Group?
What first drew me to the Busby Group was that it is a top 1% team of all women team, as well as their team structure and diversity. I initially found Busby Group on Instagram, and quickly found myself falling in love with the team! I am so proud to be a part of it.
What was your big ah-ha moment in your real estate career thus far?
A huge realization for me was understanding the importance of trust throughout the process, and the amount of responsibility that that entails.
What are you most excited about in the coming year?
I look forward to continuing to help many Chicagoans find their new home and make an impact in their lives by providing the best service possible.
Where do you live in Chicago, and what is your favorite neighborhood?
I live in Ukrainian Village and have to say that this is my favorite neighborhood and I also really enjoy the West Loop! I also love the easy access to some of Chicago’s best restaurants. One of my goals with my husband is to try to new restaurant at least every month.
Lightning round:
You are a huge foodie! What is your favorite:
Restaurant: Giant
Coffee shop: Dark Matter
Take out: J Thai Street Food
The BG team expands: Welcome Michaela Cavanagh!
Michaela comes to us from a top luxury real estate team, and I am SO glad she chose us! I believe that some people are born with a client service gene, and Michaela is one of those people. She naturally and easily intuits what people need, and then makes sure the get whatever it may be.
I asked Michaela a few fun interview questions so we can all get to know her better, and trust me, there is a lot to say!
What did you do before starting in real estate?
Before starting in real estate, I worked in marketing operations for a tech agency. Prior to that I focused my career in the fashion industry supporting brands such as Jimmy Choo, Talbots, and Nordstrom in their styling services and public relations departments.
What is your favorite part of working in real estate?
My favorite part of working in real estate is helping people achieve their life goals! Whether it is first time home-buying, moving to their dream town/city, finding a new home for their growing family, investing, building intergenerational wealth through real estate or connections with the best contractors and designers to improve their current home.
What does your typical day entail?
6am workout class/triathlon training
Meditate and gratitude journal
Catch up on emails/news and execute any business plans
Lunch or coffee with someone I’m excited to connect with
Showings/listing appointments/inspections etc.
Work on social media
Work on a new recipe or whip of a classic favorite in our house/attend an event
Watch TV (guilty pleasures lately: Yellowstone, White Lotus, Friends)
Read
Lights out!
What drew you to Busby Group?
I had the pleasure of working on a transaction with a team member from Busby Group prior to joining the team. That experience was beyond any experience I have had in my career. Busby Group is a team of outstanding professionals that come together to provide clients with not only concierge-level experiences, but produce outstanding results.
In addition, I love to cook and am so grateful that I have the privilege to enjoy a hot meal every night. Sadly, one in seven Cook County residents will experience food insecurity this year. As part of Busby Group’s partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, a portion of every Busby Group transaction is donated Since 2020, the Busby Group has provided over 80K meals to Chicagoans in need! This partnership was a huge draw for me.
What was your big ah-ha moment in your real estate career thus far?
After experiencing the home buying process for the first time in 2021, I realized I am the perfect person to help first-time home buyers with their transition from renting to completely understanding the home buying process.
What are you most excited about in the coming year?
Education! The market has been so turbulent since 2020 and click-bait news about the real estate market has become out of control. In the coming year, I am most excited to provide accurate information and education to help my clients feel empowered to make the best decisions for their situation.
Gone are the days of panic buying, 3% interest rates and $100K over asking. Instead, I want my clients to make a real estate investment for the purpose of improving one or all of their 3 F’s : family, finances or future – because in the end, that is the most important.
Where do you live in Chicago, and what is your favorite neighborhood?
I live in the Edgebrook neighborhood of Chicago. I love how Edgebrook feels like a small town community within the city. Of course I am biased to Edgebrook, but my other favorite neighborhood in Chicago is Gold Coast. The historic charming homes, outstanding restaurants and shopping all nestled in the heart of the city is so special.
Lightning round:
You are a huge cook! What is your favorite:
Recipe: Whole Roast Chicken
Cookbook: My own!
I also have a handful of Ina Garten cookbooks that I love
Chicago restaurant: Le Colonial – order the Crispy Shrimp and Pork Rolls, Beef Pho (split for two people) and Crispy Red Snapper
You also just renovated your home. What is your best tip for renovation success?
Have a team of contractors, designers and specialists who you trust and have the same values! You are about to embark on a big journey so having a team you can collaborate with and trust with your renovation is key.
You have competed in numerous triathlons! Where do you love to run/swim/bike in Chicago?
Swim: Ohio Street Beach at sunrise. The water is smooth like glass and as you swim along the lakefront you get to look up at the beautiful Chicago skyline.
Bike: Forest Preserve North Branch Trail. Starting at the Edgebrook Woods entrance you can ride all the way up to the Botanic Gardens. (Fun fact: if you bike into the gardens, entry is free!)
Run: Along the lakefront!