Neha Prabhu: Financial Feminism
Apr
8
1:00 PM13:00

Neha Prabhu: Financial Feminism

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our installment on March 25th features Neha Prabhu, creator of Feminism and partner at STUDIO Investment Management. Financial Feminism was started to provide insight and education into the various gender gaps that affect women’s careers and their wealth.

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Vicki Kim: Mott Street, We the Weekend
Mar
25
1:00 PM13:00

Vicki Kim: Mott Street, We the Weekend

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our installment on March 25th features Vicki Kim, co-founder of We the Weekend and Partner at Mott Street & Mini Mott

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Kellie Fitzgerald: How Incremental Discovery Can Lead to Magical Experiences
Mar
11
1:00 PM13:00

Kellie Fitzgerald: How Incremental Discovery Can Lead to Magical Experiences

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our installment on March 11th features Kellie Fitzgerald, Director of Sales at Google focusing on advertising on the YouTube Platform.

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Priya Shah: Changing the Chicago Narrative through collaboration and goodness
Feb
26
1:00 PM13:00

Priya Shah: Changing the Chicago Narrative through collaboration and goodness

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our installment on February 12th features Priya Shah, Founder and Executive Director of the Simple Good

Priya Shah is triggering social consciousness to challenge barriers and empower communities from the inside out. As a Chicago creative and entrepreneur, she has built a network of artists and collaborators dedicated to igniting social awareness and change through art and imagination. Shah began volunteering in developing countries at a young age, which inspired her to fill the gap between business and the social sector. She went on to earn degrees in both Accounting & Finance from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, using her studies as an opportunity to deepen her understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives through international travel. After graduating she went on to work at Big Four Accounting firm, Ernst & Young, and finally Groupon, leading strategic planning in Operations. Shah's passion for art and travel has fueled her purpose to help better communities in Chicago and around the world.

Through her experience, Shah has developed a unique perspective on humanity and believes it is her responsibility to engage communities in need. Her purpose took shape when she founded The Simple Good, a non-profit with the mission to connect the meaning of good from around the world, empowering youth to become positive activists through art and discussion. By uniting communities under a universal truth, Shah hopes to bridge understanding across all walks of life in order to bring down obstacles separating us in working towards improving the lives of our children and in turn, our future.

Outside of her work with The Simple Good, she aims to build the next generation of positive leaders as a Strategist for Obama Foundation Scholars in Chicago and continues to lead necessary global dialogue as a Legacy Fellow at the Ariane de Rothschild Foundation. Shah is also a speaker with the Peace is Loud Bureau who promotes female changemakers promoting peace around the world. You may spot her in a print ad or two as she spends her free time as a model, promoting inclusive and diverse representation, empowering others with each new opportunity.

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Mary Doyle: Finding balance through travel
Feb
12
1:00 PM13:00

Mary Doyle: Finding balance through travel

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our installment on February 12th features Mary Doyle, Chicago Community Manager for Away

Chicago Community Manager for Away, the lifestyle travel brand that inspires people to explore new roads and meet new people. I'm passionate about creating opportunities for people to connect, share, learn, and adventure with one another.

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Claire Henry: Working with Partners
Jan
29
1:00 PM13:00

Claire Henry: Working with Partners

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our installment on January 29th features Claire Henry, cultural engineer of Ace Hotel Chicago

Claire came to Ace Hotel after a long line of creative endeavors. She received a BFA in fashion design in 2012. Afterward, she co-founded co.lab, an experimental art and design collective with her best friend. They designed costumes for dancers, staged disruptive, time-based installations, produced a guerilla fashion line and temporarily moved to Nashville to create a NYE set for a band. She later attended SAIC where I received an MA in Visual & Critical Studies. After which, she worked for Volume Gallery while also working as a commercial wardrobe and prop stylist. As the cultural engineer for Ace Hotel Chicago, Claire manages programming, partnerships and events.

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Coffee Talk Origin with General Assembly, featuring Sonali Lamba
Jan
15
6:30 PM18:30

Coffee Talk Origin with General Assembly, featuring Sonali Lamba

Join us for Coffee Talk Origins, a special evening event series featuring in-depth conversations with exceptional founders and creatives on the beginnings of their businesses and the journeys that they took to get to where they are today. Origins is an evolution of Coffee Talk, a weekly meetup and speaker series hosted by Presence Agency at the Ace Hotel Chicago since 2017.

This quarter, we’re chatting with Sonali Lamba, one of the co-founders of Brideside - a direct to consumer apparel and fashion company that offers bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, gifts and accessories. Brideside offers dedicated styling services that bridal parties can access online, at home or in a Brideside showroom. Brideside currently offers showroom experiences in Chicago, Boston, New York and Charlotte.

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Christine Cikowski: Assuming Positive Intent - why thinking positive is better for business and people
Oct
30
1:00 PM13:00

Christine Cikowski: Assuming Positive Intent - why thinking positive is better for business and people

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our installment on October 16th features Christine Cikowski, co-creator of Honey Butter Fried Chicken + Sunday Dinner Club. Triple bottom line food businesses with exceptional food, service, and finance. Creating thriving, inclusive, supportive workplace culture in the restaurant industry. Also we put honey butter on fried chicken, so we must be doing something right.

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Adrienne Lo:  Creating Sustainable Kitchen Culture
Oct
23
1:00 PM13:00

Adrienne Lo: Creating Sustainable Kitchen Culture

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our installment on October 23rd features Adrienne Lo, co-founder of Fat Rice + Fat Rice Bakery.

ABOUT ADRIENNE LO: Growing up in a Chinese-American household in Chicago, Adrienne Lo learned at an early age that food and hospitality were central to the family unit. Adrienne attended Trinity College in Connecticut where she first began her global travels studying abroad in India during her junior year. After graduation, she journeyed to Italy to work on a farm and continued to travel extensively, furthering her respect for heritage as expressed through cuisine. Upon her return to Chicago, she met Abe Conlon and the duo co-founded X-marx, a traveling supper club. As co-founder and general manager of the club, Adrienne displayed her worldly expertise through her creation of comfort and conviviality among strangers in diverse locations. Currently she is co-owner and director of operations at Fat Rice, alongside chef and co-owner Conlon, where the menu focuses on cuisines of the Portuguese speaking world with an emphasis on Macau presenting unique takes on heritage recipes that combine techniques and ingredients from Portugal, Brazil, Africa, Malaysia, India and China. At the restaurant, she employs her knowledge to lead the front of house servers and create a space known for its unique and inviting atmosphere and incredible service.

In 2016, Adrienne and Abe also opened The Bakery at Fat Rice, a Chinese Bakery and evening petisco bar, as well as The Ladies’ Room, a 250-square-foot craft cocktail lounge inspired by the fan tan (Chinese gambling halls) and red light districts that proliferated around Macau in the mid 19th and 20th centuries. The duo most recently released their first cookbook, The Adventures of Fat Rice, a compilation of recipes that explores the vibrant food culture of Macau. In addition to Adrienne receiving the Zagat’s 30 Under 30 Trailblazer Award for young professionals who have helped define Chicago’s next wave of culinary greatness, Fat Rice as a whole has been recognized as the 2018 James Beard award winner for Best Chef: Great Lakes, “Rising Star” by StarChefs in 2015, Bon Appetit (Top 10 Best Restaurants in America, 2013), Jean Banchet (2013 Best New Restaurant winner/2015 Restaurant of the Year), as well as a recipient of The Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand (2014 – 2019).

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Genevieve Weeks: Why You Should Always Build Your Business to Scale
Oct
16
1:00 PM13:00

Genevieve Weeks: Why You Should Always Build Your Business to Scale

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our installment on October 16th features Genevieve Weeks, Founder and CEO of Tutu School Franchises, a national collection of 34 boutique ballet schools for children. Genevieve will be with us talking about why you should always build your business to scale!

Genevieve Custer Weeks was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. She received her early ballet training there, and took part in her first dance productions in the middle of her parents' living room.

At the age of fifteen, Genevieve moved to Chicago to study at the School of Ballet Chicago, and that same year became a founding member of the Ballet Chicago Studio Company. In addition, Genevieve supplemented her training with study at the San Francisco Ballet School, American Ballet Theatre, and with Suzanne Farrell at The Kennedy Center.

A contract with the Oakland Ballet brought Genevieve to the San Francisco Bay Area. Beginning in 2006, Genevieve began performing as a freelance artist, dancing principal and soloist roles throughout North America, and started dreaming of her opening own boutique school that would celebrate the things she loved most about ballet. During a break in her performance schedule, Genevieve's husband, Andrew, finally asked, "Why wait?" and Tutu School was born.

Since the founding of that first initial studio, Tutu School has grown into a collection of boutique ballet schools all over the country, and Genevieve – who retired from performing in 2012 – now divides her time between Tutu School and her life with Andrew, a photographer, and their three adorable sons.

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Valerie Friedlander: Lead your life in an aligned way so you maximize your energy, impact, and enjoyment.
Oct
9
1:00 PM13:00

Valerie Friedlander: Lead your life in an aligned way so you maximize your energy, impact, and enjoyment.

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our installment on October 2nd features Valerie Friedlander, Founder of Valerie Friedlander Coaching.

Valerie Friedlander is a certified life leadership coach, founder of The Unlimited Mom Movement, and creator of the Full Life Ownership Model. She has a background in sociology and corporate management with a healthy dose of creative arts thrown in. She is also a trained mediator, a brain science enthusiast, and knowledgeable in a variety of spiritual practices. She loves supporting compassionate, badass boss women to joyfully and sustainably pursue their purpose in the world. She has a soft spot for lattes, unicorns, and a good analogy.

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Allie LeFevere & Lyndsay Rush: How to use fun to get your business in the spotlight
Oct
2
1:00 PM13:00

Allie LeFevere & Lyndsay Rush: How to use fun to get your business in the spotlight

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our installment on October 2nd features Allie LeFevere and Lyndsay Rush, Founders of Obedient Agency.

We're the co-founders of Obedient, a humor branding agency—the first of its kind—that turns businesses into unstoppable, unorthodox, unforgettable brands. Rooted in the power of fun and the potency of humor, we launch brands and campaigns that hook consumers in...and keep them coming back for more. And yeah, friends, we do it all: strategy, messaging, and design—online, offline, crossing the line, you name it. At the end of the day, every evil genius on our team lives to prove that you don’t need to prey on the fears of your consumers to make the kill. Instead? Excite them to death. RIP, your sad sales and long live fun. ;)

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Fiona McEntee: Immigration In Today's Changing Landscape
Sep
25
1:00 PM13:00

Fiona McEntee: Immigration In Today's Changing Landscape

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our installment on September 25th, 2019 features Fiona McEntee, Managing Attorney of the McEntee Law Group. Fiona is an immigrant, immigration attorney, advocate, activist & author, and will be with us to chat about immigration in today’s changing landscape.

Fiona McEntee is the Founding and Managing Partner of McEntee Law Group. Fiona is a proud Irish immigrant and U.S. citizen with over 11 years of experience practicing immigration law. You may recognize her from MSNBC, BBC, and RTE, where she provides her expertise on immigration law. McEntee Law Group is an established law firm that exclusively handles U.S. immigration, including employment, investor, entertainment, family, citizenship, and deportation defense.

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Anna Maria Viti-Welch: What Every Business Owner Should Know About Insurance
Sep
18
1:00 PM13:00

Anna Maria Viti-Welch: What Every Business Owner Should Know About Insurance

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in Eaves at the Ace Hotel Chicago while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our next installment features Anna Maria Viti-Welch with The Viti Companies. Anna Maria will be with us talking about what every business owner should know about insurance, and offering helpful hints of entrepreneurs and business owners.

Anna Maria-Viti-Welch, President of Guy Viti Insurance Agency, Inc. in Highwood, IL has never taken a back seat when it comes to insurance. Since joining the agency in 1985, which was started by her grandfather and father, she has successfully grown and paved the way for the company to offer unparalleled customer service and insurance to their clients.

She graduated from Highland Park High School and received her Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University. She is actively involved in various networking groups and is known for her commitment and networking ability to connect and refer people, for which she credits her many successes. She holds memberships in the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), the Food Specialist Professional Network (FSPN), the Women’s Presidents Organization (WPO), the Rotary Club of Highland Park, Illinois Independent Agents organization and the local Chambers of Commerce for Highland Park, Lake Forest/Lake Bluff and Deerfield. She was also appointed to the Board of Directors for the First Bank of Highland Park and has recently chaired the Cystic Fibrosis Uncork the Cure- Lake Forest Charity Event.

Over the years, Anna Maria has proven to contribute to Guy Viti Insurance’s many successes. In 2010, she was named a BizOver Honoree as well as a Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Team Leader. Guy Viti Insurance was recognized with the NAWBO Corporate Partner of the Year award in 2007, 2008, and 2010 and was also one of the four finalists for the 2009 Illinois Family Business of the Year award. In 2009, Guy Viti Insurance was also named the number one agency for Society Insurance Company, after being ranked in the top ten the previous year. Among these prestigious awards, Guy Viti Insurance is certified by the Green Business League and has recently been certified as Workers’ Compensation Specialists.

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Erin Rachel Doppelt: Starting Your Day with Meditation
Sep
4
1:00 PM13:00

Erin Rachel Doppelt: Starting Your Day with Meditation

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our installment on September 4th, 2019 features Erin Rachel Doppelt, an international wellness consultant, spiritual teacher, host of Wise Woman Podcast and retreat leader. Erin will be with us talking about starting your day with meditation. Perhaps we will put to practice what she has taught us during Coffee Talk!

Erin Rachel Doppelt is an international wellness consultant, spiritual teacher, host of Wise Woman Podcast and retreat leader. She facilitates innovative mindfulness workshops and trainings in the areas of meditation, emotional intelligence, positive psychology, conflict competency, nutrition, yoga, and spiritual, personal and professional development. She is the creator behind the "Certificate in Mindfulness and Wellbeing Strategy" and "Soul Immersion" coaching and training programs. Erin developed her programming based on her experience living and learning in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Erin earned an MA in Clinical Psychology and Education from Columbia University, and is a Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach. Check out her Instagram @ErinRDoppelt and her website.

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Kay Whitchurch: Creating a Business that Matches Your Life
Aug
21
1:00 PM13:00

Kay Whitchurch: Creating a Business that Matches Your Life

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our installment on August 21st features Kay Whitchurch, Co-founder and CEO of Otros Ojos. Kay will be with us chatting about how she crafted a business in line with her lifestyle and passions.

Kay Whitchurch is a painter, traveler and entrepreneur. She lives between Chicago and Havana, Cuba. She and her husband, the musician Norberto Gurerra, are the co-founders of Otros Ojos, a cultural travel group dedicated to community, culture and creative practice in Cuba. Otros Ojos runs small group trips and retreats that bring travelers into the cultural folds of creative Cuba. Kay and Norberto also run a Cuban Supper Club in their house in Wicker Park.

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Matt Woodburn + Sarah Neukom: The Power of Buzz Marketing
Aug
14
1:00 PM13:00

Matt Woodburn + Sarah Neukom: The Power of Buzz Marketing

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our next installment features Matt Woodburn and Sarah Neukom, Founders of ESP Presents. Matt and Sarah will be with us chatting about The power of Buzz Marketing, and how to build a business on word of mouth. Using ESP Presents as a case study, Matt and Sarah can share about their best practices in business and provide tangible advice for other creatives.

ESP Presents, a boutique event company based out of Chicago, was founded in 2014 as the passion project of Matt Woodburn and Sarah Neukom. As a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in fields such as film, music, video and life-style marketing, Matt’s diverse range of experiences gave him unparalleled experience and insight into the world of event production. When Matt and Sarah met in 2012, her background in nonprofits and fundraising made her an invaluable asset with professional skills and business acumen that uniquely complimented Matt’s creative nature. Understanding what was lacking in the market and the power of combining their passions together, they founded ESP Presents in 2014 as an attempt to bring greater purpose to their work and to better serve the community they live in.

Today, they've built a business around that mission, and work alongside purpose-driven brands (Lululemon, Airbnb) and major nonprofits to make that dream a reality. Now, nearing its 5-year anniversary, ESP has plans to expand the capabilities to serve clients in new ways and in fact, just opened up their own venue space, Exchange312, an intimate and customizable event space in the heart of Wicker Park. Sharing a love of hosting, creating and relationship building, Exchange is just the latest endeavor for these passionate entrepreneurs who have long dreamed of having a space they could call their own.

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Spifster: Expanding Creative Boundaries
Aug
7
1:00 PM13:00

Spifster: Expanding Creative Boundaries

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our next installment features Tacarra "Spifster" Sutton, Founder of DecoSpiff, Visual Designer and Nail Artist. Spifster will be with us talking about expanding creative boundaries, we sure hope you’ll join!

As the go-to Chicago manicurist that "spiffs up" manicures to the nth degree at Salon Lōkei, Tacarra "Spifster" Sutton is known for her innovative and edgy nail designs. The witty- and undeniably zany - self taught graphic designer-cum-mani-maven got her nickname Spifster for her ability to make anything "spiffy", and credits trying to kick a bad nail-biting habit as a reason why she started putting polish to talon. Entering 10 years of nail artistry, Spifster is returning to her graphic design beginnings and channeling those special chops through “decospiff” a interior design/wear brand made for decor lovers looking for something unlike the normal department stores selection.

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Ross Floyd: Managing Your Inner-Dialogue as an Entrepreneur/Freelancer
Jul
31
1:00 PM13:00

Ross Floyd: Managing Your Inner-Dialogue as an Entrepreneur/Freelancer

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in Eaves at the Ace Hotel Chicago while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our next installment features Ross Floyd, Photographer and Director at Ross Floyd Photography. Ross will be with us talking about managing your inner-dialogue as an entrepreneur and freelancer.

Ross Floyd Is a commercial photographer and director that specializes in working with design-centric clients. He loves the process of collaboration and working with talented creative people every day.

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Abra Berens: What is plant-based?
Jul
24
1:00 PM13:00

Abra Berens: What is plant-based?

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our next installment features Abra Berens, chef, former farmer, and writer. Abra will be with us discussing “What is plant-based”. We've all heard that we should be getting 8 servings of fruits and vegetables each day, but why and more importantly how? Join us for a conversation about vegetables, where to source them, and how to make them the star of your plate, and a joy to eat!

Abra Berens believes that the meals we eat should change with the seasons and that their ingredients should come from nearby. She strives to make simple, delicious meals that champions the region.

She started cooking at the storied Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor, MI. She then went on to train in the garden-focused kitchen at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork, Ireland. In 2009 she co-founded Bare Knuckle Farm in Northport, MI, where she farmed and cooked for 8 years. After years of farming, she returned to the kitchen full time, opening and helming the café at Local Foods in Chicago, IL. In 2017, she left her Executive Chef position to return to the mitten state to join the team at Granor Farm in Three Oaks, MI, where she combines her love of farms and restaurants to create one-of-a-kind dinners on the farm celebrating the best of South West Michigan’s diverse agriculture.

Ruffage: A Practical Guide to Vegetables is her first cookbook and is rooted in her experiences as a chef, former farmer, and everyday eater. It is a teaching cookbook that aims to help build reader’s confidence in preparing vegetables by providing easy-to-follow recipes, detailed explanation of cooking techniques, and a myriad of variations for each recipe to inspire future dishes.

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Viviana Langhoff of Adornment + Theory: How to Grow a Business as a Creative
Jul
17
1:00 PM13:00

Viviana Langhoff of Adornment + Theory: How to Grow a Business as a Creative

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our next installment features Viviana Langhoff, Founder and Head Designer of Adornment + Theory. Viviana will be with us to lead in a discussion of how to grow your business as a creative.

Adornment + Theory (A+T) is a curated, art jewelry and design studio located in the heart of Chicago's Logan Square.

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Anjali Pinto: Shapeshifting - Moving from One Career to Another
Jul
10
1:00 PM13:00

Anjali Pinto: Shapeshifting - Moving from One Career to Another

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our next installment features Anjali Pinto, Photographer and Writer. Anjali is currently finding herself in the midst of a career change, and will be with us discussing shapeshifting, and moving from one career to another.

Anjali Pinto is a photographer and writer based in Chicago. She received a BA in photojournalism from the University of Missouri, with special training at the Danish School of Media and Journalism. She is available for documentary, editorial and commercial assignments. For more details on rates or availability, email hello@anjalipinto.com.

Her work focuses on the following topics: women, body image, feminism, lgbtq+ , poc, education, youth, non-profits, community development, immigration, civil rights, human rights, government, death, grief, mourning, memory, sexuality, love, partnership, food, drink and travel.

Clients include: New York Times, BITCH Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Washington Post, Refinery 29, Food & Wine, Food Network, Rolling Stone, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Reader, Chicago Community Trust.

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Erin Casey Wolf: Franchising as an Entrepreneur
Jun
19
1:00 PM13:00

Erin Casey Wolf: Franchising as an Entrepreneur

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our next installment features Erin Casey Wolf, Co-Franchiser of Bella Bridesmaids. Erin is going to be leading our roundtable discussion to chat more about franchising as an entrepreneur.

Bella Bridesmaids has at the largest collection of bridesmaids dresses from the world’s leading designers in our Bella Showrooms. At Bella Bridesmaids, we recognize that every bride has her own vision and each bridesmaid is unique. We’ll give you personal attention to help you find the right dress for your girls and your day-and ship your dresses anywhere in the Continental United States. So come on in, have some fun, and visit a Bella Bridesmaids showroom near you. We’d love to play a part in helping to create your wedding and make it everything you have dreamed.

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Breaking the Mold: Innovation in Marketing
Jun
12
6:00 PM18:00

Breaking the Mold: Innovation in Marketing

This very special edition of Coffee Talk is brought to you by Presence Agency, General Assembly, and Ace Hotel Chicago.

It's easier than ever to launch a traditional marketing effort for your business - it's more complicated to find unique ways to make your mark in the world of social media and digital marketing. Presence Agency, General Assembly and Ace Hotel present a special edition of Coffee Talk, featuring some of Chicago's most creative brand builders. From creative to strategy, we've gathered a group of experts who have driven noteworthy moments for brands in Chicago and worldwide. 

  • Check-In Begins 5:45pm

  • Networking 5:45pm - 6:15pm

  • Panel Discussion 6:15pm - 7:00pm

  • Q&A 7:00pm - 7:20pm

  • Networking 7:20pm - 8:00pm

Please RSVP here - See you then!

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Erin Carlman Weber + Derek Herbster of All Together Now: Turning Lemons into Lemonade
Jun
5
1:00 PM13:00

Erin Carlman Weber + Derek Herbster of All Together Now: Turning Lemons into Lemonade

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our next installment features Erin Carlman Weber and Derek Herbster, Co-Owners of All Together Now. Erin and Derek will be with us chatting about turning lemons into lemonade. After receiving a cease and desist from the owners of Brothers and Sisters in Washington DC, which is owned by Sydell Group, the Chicago bottle shop and eatery was forced to change their name. Despite doing their due diligence from the outset, sometimes shit happens. Erin and Herbster would love to discuss how they've turned lemons into lemonade, renaming the property 'All Together Now' and throwing their take on New Orleans-style funeral to put the old name to rest on April 5th.

All Together Now, formerly "Brothers and Sisters," is a funky bottle shop, all day eatery and market in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village. The brainchild of Erin Carlman Weber and Derek Herbster in partnership with chef Jonny Hunter of Madison’s Underground Food Collective, Brothers and Sisters is about good people sharing good food. The bright herbaceous menu spotlights produce from Upper Midwest farms and Underground Meats' smoked and cured meats, alongside a thoughtful selection of provisions: natural wine, tasty easy beer, small producer cheese, artisan charcuterie and multi-roaster coffee.

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Alex Kumin of Alex Kumin Comedy: Raise Your Voice - Uncovering Your Truth with Comedy
May
29
1:00 PM13:00

Alex Kumin of Alex Kumin Comedy: Raise Your Voice - Uncovering Your Truth with Comedy

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our next installment features Alex Kumin of Feminine Comique (Chicago's only all-female standup class) & Diamond Comedy Hour (a monthly all-female standup showcase at the Laugh Factory). Alex will be with us to talk about raising your voice, and uncovering your truth with comedy.

Alex Kumin is a Chicago based standup comedian with a strong passion for increasing access to comedy and the arts for women and girls!

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Blair Brettschneider of GirlForward: Ethical Storytelling
May
22
1:00 PM13:00

Blair Brettschneider of GirlForward: Ethical Storytelling

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our next installment features Blair Brettschneider, Founder and Executive Director of GirlForward. Blair will be with us chatting about storytelling in an ethical way through her experience with GirlForward.

GirlForward is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and enhancing opportunities for girls who have been displaced globally by conflict and persecution.

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Donna Speigel: Finding Your Voice
May
15
1:00 PM13:00

Donna Speigel: Finding Your Voice

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our next installment features Donna Speigel, a brand visionary, creative strategist, content creator, and mentor.

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Sarah Barnhardt: Just Give Us a Chance!
May
8
1:00 PM13:00

Sarah Barnhardt: Just Give Us a Chance!

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our next installment features Sarah Barnhardt of Comedy Dance Chicago. Sarah will be with us discussing how to handle clients that are having a hard time giving your business a chance.

Comedy Dance Chicago is a group of current, former, and almost dancers. They combine sketch comedy, physical comedy, and dance to tell stories in feel-good and visually-hilarious ways.

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Jenny LeFlore: Finding Your Village
May
1
1:00 PM13:00

Jenny LeFlore: Finding Your Village

Presenting Coffee Talk: a weekly roundtable led by the city's best doers curated by Presence Agency.

Every Wednesday at 1pm we'll be sipping Stumptown Coffee in the lobby while we chat with some of our favorite people in town about what they're doing.

Our next installment features Jenny LeFlore, Founder of Mama Fresh Chicago. Jenny will be with us discussing the importance of finding your village.

My Brand is: Mama Fresh Chicago. I am a community builder, advocate, influencer and Mama. My passion is to bring inclusion into family programming all over Chicago. What drives me to work hard everyday is the woman who is entering Motherhood for the 1st or 5th time, who is in need of a village, community and friend for support. I give families advice on how to explore the city with their little one. Mama Fresh is about a Fresh approach towards Motherhood where diversity is celebrated.

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