BUSINESS FORWARD on 630 Naperville.

Join our President & CEO Kaylin Risvold as she interviews local thought leaders on a host of topics – some business and others fun – that speak to exactly what the community wants to know inside the BUSINESS FORWARD segment of NCTV17’s 630 Naperville.

This monthly magazine-style show features engaging people, local places, and advice from experts – all in one show to keep you connected in the 630.

Watch Our Latest BUSINESS FORWARD Episodes.

Tips for Mastering the College Search and Selection Process

Guest: Aggie Hanni, Vice President for Enrollment Management & Marketing at North Central College

On this 630 Naperville Business Forward segment, Kaylin Risvold, President and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, is joined by Aggie Hanni, Vice President for Enrollment Management & Marketing at North Central College to get some insider tips to help students better navigate their post-high school choice and help answer the question “What college should I go to?”

About North Central College

Since 1861, North Central has been a place where new ideas lead to unlimited possibilities. We’re an independent college dedicated to the power of the liberal arts and sciences to transform students into leaders both in their careers and communities. Our nearly 3,000 students study across more than 65 undergraduate and graduate programs, with their education made richer by supportive faculty and staff, world-class facilities and countless opportunities to learn beyond the classroom.

Keeping your HVAC System Running Like a Hero All Year

Guest: Mike Baaker of Dutchman Heating & Cooling

On this Business Forward, Kaylin Risvold, President and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, is joined by Mike Baaker of Dutchman Heating & Cooling, on location to learn tips and tricks to keep your HVAC system running like a hero all year long.

About Dutchman Heating & Cooling

Providing exceptional technical service goes hand in hand with exceptional customer service here at Dutchman Heating and Cooling. Through proven high standards, Dutchman is proud to be selected as an American Standard Customer Care Dealer. This program gives you the comfort in knowing you are dealing with a company which is committed to providing excellent customer service, better educated employees, and the capability to handle each customer’s specific needs and provide the best possible solution. We have not only committed to these standards but have been recognized as the leader. In 2010, we were selected as the Dealer of the Year. We obtained this recognition in the greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana area. A survey taken by our customers resulted in 100% referral ratings and 99% customer satisfaction scores. We obviously stand behind our work.

Naperville Volunteerism Creates Impact

Each year in April, many individuals and businesses celebrate National Volunteer Month, which recognizes the huge impact volunteers make and encourages active volunteerism in generations to come. Naperville is a community rich in the spirit of volunteerism and boasts a huge number of residents and businesses who put their compassion into action every day.

Engaging employees through volunteerism

Risvold spoke with Tom Miers, President of Naperville Bank & Trust about how they champion volunteerism at the bank and make it a part of their corporate culture.

Miers said, “Part of our culture is giving back to the community. You know, the community is good for the business. We need to give back to the community. And that can be in the form of sponsorship opportunities, board leadership or just volunteering. We have many, many people involved in organizations. We believe strongly that they need to be passionate about the organizations that they volunteer in because that makes a big difference.”

The pair went on to talk about the importance of providing employees an opportunity to explore lots of different areas of service at various nonprofits so they can find one that really speaks to them.

Miers said he has found many volunteer opportunities that have been a good match for him personally,  “I’ve been involved in the YMCA my whole life as a kid and I’m still involved in the Y because I’m passionate about it. And there’s other things, Rotary, and other things I’m part of that I’m passionate about. So that’s what makes it fun. And I love working for a bank that encourages that.”

Building a stronger family through volunteerism

Finally, Risvold chatted with Barbara Piesz, Vice President of Small Business Banking at Naperville Bank & Trust downtown about her family’s commitment to giving back together and the reasons why they do what they do.

“I think when people get married and when they have kids, they have ideas of what they want their life to be. And I think having those conversations with my spouse and saying this is how I want to raise my family, and I think that dynamic has now passed on to my kids as far as this is, what is an expectation of you, is part of being in a community and being part of a family community, remarked Piesz.

Piesz spoke about the struggle of finding the capacity to volunteer when you have young kids at home. She suggested finding opportunities to give back that include your children and that you could do as a family to make it easier. She said to start small, possibly just take on a project at a time, and as your family dynamic changes over time, your capacity to give may increase. 

Piesz said, “So we have quarterly my home has quarterly goals for volunteering, and the as of now that my kids are, I’m almost an empty nester. I’ve been able to widen what I do in the community by taking leadership roles. And that is, I think for anybody out there, you ask, Do I really want to do this? How much time is it going to take?

On this Business Forward, Kaylin Risvold, President and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, joins three guests from Naperville Bank & Trust, on location at their Downtown Naperville branch to learn more about how vital and valuable volunteerism is to their employees and their overall workplace culture.

Serving the community through volunteerism 

Kaylin Risvold, went on to speak with Adam Fuchs, Senior Vice President of Wintrust Commercial Banking about his volunteer experiences and the many ways volunteerism serves the community.

Fuchs said, “Volunteerism is very important to our bank for purposes of personal and professional growth.  We highly encourage our employees to use work time to be involved in organizations that they feel passionate about.  This creates a culture in our office, unlike others.  From a business standpoint, Wintrust is an Illinois-based bank and the majority of our customers and employees work and live locally.  We are active in the local communities because the stronger our communities are, the better quality of life of our employees.  In addition, if we have strong communities, our customers are stronger and that is good for the bank.

Fuchs serves on the Board of Directors of Loaves & Fishes Community Services and knew after meeting Mike and his team that he had to get involved.  Fuchs said, “Wintrust has been a strong supporter of the organization for a long time and I wanted to volunteer my time and have been on the board of directors since 2022.  The importance of organizations like Loaves and Fishes are more important now than ever.  We are seeing the impacts of inflation on our local community. The organization is serving double the amount of people that they were at the beginning of 2022 and now serving between 6 – 7k clients a week.  Those are people in our communities and customers and friends and families of our employees.”

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (NACC) is committed to promoting and expanding volunteer opportunities in Naperville.  Every year the Chamber hosts a NACC Volunteer Week coinciding with the National Volunteer Week initiated by Presidential Proclamation in 1974, and as an organization, they ask their members – and the community – to find the time inside this week to serve their deep network of not-for-profits where they need volunteer support. Visit the NACC website to learn more about the NACC Volunteer Week and all the Chamber initiatives and programming supporting area not-for-profits.

Burglary Prevention Advice from a Naperville Expert

Guest: Jim Pacetti a Crime Prevention Specialist with the City of Naperville – Naperville Police Department(NPD)

Burglary can and does happen everywhere. Even a safe city such as Naperville experiences its fair share of theft at homes and businesses. The good news is that burglary is a crime that is highly preventable as long as you are willing to take a few simple steps to protect your property and valuables.

This 630 Naperville Business Forward segment features practical burglary prevention advice from Jim Pacetti a Crime Prevention Specialist with the City of Naperville – Naperville Police Department(NPD). He chats with Kaylin Risvold, President and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, about simple preventive measures every Naperville resident should take to keep their home and businesses safe.

2023’s Hottest Catering & Event Trends

Guest: David Miller, Managing Owner at Elements at Water Street

What are 2023’s hottest catering & event trends? On this Business Forward, Kaylin Risvold, President and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, joins David Miller, Managing Owner at Elements at Water Street on location at his event space in Downtown Naperville to learn more about some of the industry trends that are sure to be sizzling hot in 2023. They discuss how popular experiential dining is and what foods people are eating now. The segment concludes with a lively discussion on champagne toasts and David teaching Kaylin how to open a bottle of bubbly with a sword!

About Elements at Water Street

Located in the heart of downtown Naperville, occupying the 2nd floor of riverfront Hotel Indigo, Elements boasts a 4,200 sq. ft. ballroom with 250 seating availability, plus a large pre-reception lounge and open-air views of the beautiful Riverwalk. Adjacent to the lounge is an elegant meeting space accommodating 100 guests for a multitude of corporate meetings and private dining needs. Enjoy the 158 guest room accommodations of Hotel Indigo and the convenient on-site parking garage with valet service.

Locally sourced and chef-inspired rustic urban cuisine with complete menu planning, private tastings, full-service bar needs, wait staff, and day-of-event coordination.

Elements organic, contemporary design of flowing water, ribboned hardwood ceilings, and a stunning pedestrian skywalk leading your guests from the hotel into your event space will have you and your guests talking about your memorable event for years to come.

To book:

Wedding Receptions: www.elementsnaperville.com/weddings

Corporate functions: www.elementsnaperville.com/corporate-events

Social Gatherings: www.elementsnaperville.com/social-events

Healthy Employees = Healthy Businesses

Guest: Steve Hlavac, Owner & Director of Training at Beyond Measure Fitness Training

Do healthy employees equate to healthier businesses? On this Business Forward, Kaylin Risvold, President and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, joins Steve Hlavac, Owner & Director of Training at Beyond Measure Fitness Training at the gym to learn more about the many benefits of fitness for both employees and employers. They discuss how overall health impacts job performance, talk about common fitness myths and provide 3 things people can do at home or the office to build fitness/physical health into their workday. The segment concludes with Steve walking Kaylin through some simple exercises that can be done anywhere to improve both physical and mental health.

About Beyond Measure Fitness Training

Beyond Measure Fitness Training is an adult personal training facility designed for adults 40 and older. We specialize in strength training, nutritional support, and improving daily habits in an effort to help every person become the happiest, healthiest and strongest person they can be.

Whether your goal is to lose weight, tone up, improve your golf game, or just make the demands of daily life easier, we have a program for you- regardless of your experience level.

Never feel lost in the gym again with the help of Beyond Measure Fitness Training in Naperville!

Marry the House, Date the Interest Rate

Guest: “Mortgage Matt” Doyle, Branch Manager –Team Doyle Hulsey CrossCountry Mortgage

On this Business Forward, sponsored by Naperville Bank & Trust, Kaylin Risvold, President and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, sits down with Matt Doyle of Team Doyle Hulsey CrossCountry Mortgage to discuss the current housing market in Naperville, interest rates, strategies for buying and selling your home.

About CrossCountry Mortgage

Navigating the mortgage process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When you work with CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM), you’ll collaborate closely with a licensed professional who will make sure you get the mortgage you deserve.

The entire team is available to assist you from application to closing and beyond. They work tirelessly to remove the frustration from the mortgage process and provide you a personalized experience.

At CrossCountry Mortgage, they separate themselves from other mortgage lenders by offering exceptional customer service and a broad selection of home financing products. Their portfolio has an extensive range of products — from conventional and jumbo mortgages to government-insured programs for veterans and rural home buyers, to programs that enable you to make full-cash offers — each homebuyer is different, so they make sure there is a solution for every lifestyle and personal situation.

 

New Developments to Watch in Naperville

Guest: Christine D. Jeffries, President of the Naperville Development Partnership

On this Business Forward, sponsored by Naperville Bank & Trust, Kaylin Risvold, President and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, sits down with Christine D. Jeffries, President of the Naperville Development Partnership at Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar to discuss some exciting new developments to watch in Naperville. Watch to hear more about what’s currently happening with the East Ogden Corridor and learn about some exciting new happenings along Route 59 in Naperville.

About the Naperville Development Partnership

Incorporated in 1995, the Naperville Development Partnership is a public/private economic development organization that promotes business interests in the City of Naperville. The Partnership’s mission is to enhance the economic vitality of Naperville and maintain its outstanding quality of life. This is achieved through the retention and expansion of existing businesses, as well as attracting new businesses to the community. The Partnership’s board of directors includes representation from leaders in the business community as well as the City of Naperville, School Districts 203 and 204, Naperville Park District, and the Naperville Public Library. 

What to Eat and Drink this Spring & Summer

Guest: Chef Jonathan Beatty, Director of Culinary Innovation with Scott Harris Hospitality

On this Business Forward, sponsored by Naperville Bank & Trust, Kaylin Risvold, President and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, sits down with Chef Jonathan Beatty, Director of Culinary Innovation with Scott Harris Hospitality at Zade’s Lounge in downtown Naperville. The pair talk about how to best help the hospitality industry and discuss some of the hottest food and drink trends of 2022. Chef Beatty shares some insight into the state of the industry now, and where he sees it heading in the future.  He also talks about what is fashionable in the foodie scene, including new enthusiasm for experiential dining, elevated comfort food, and a blended/frozen drink revival.

About Scott Harris Hospitality

Scott has helped found numerous successful restaurants throughout the prestigious Chicago culinary scene which have won him such awards as Chicago Restauranteur of the Year, Top 25 Restaurants in Chicago, and even a James Beard nomination. His establishments have found the hitherto mythical crossroads where classy meets classic, expertly tight roping the paper-thin line between quality and affordability. Scott snowballed a single experiment in casual, authentic Italian fare into a wildly successful operation that now boasts locations across the country.

Building and Managing Wealth

Guest: Kam Kniss, CEO of Naperville Bank & Trust’s

On this Business Forward, sponsored by Naperville Bank & Trust, Kaylin Risvold, President and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, sits down with Chef Jonathan Beatty, Director of Culinary Innovation with Scott Harris Hospitality at Zade’s Lounge in downtown Naperville. The pair talk about how to best help the hospitality industry and discuss some of the hottest food and drink trends of 2022. Chef Beatty shares some insight into the state of the industry now, and where he sees it heading in the future.  He also talks about what is fashionable in the foodie scene, including new enthusiasm for experiential dining, elevated comfort food, and a blended/frozen drink revival.

​​About Naperville Bank & Trust

We’re your friends. We’re your neighbors. Naperville Bank & Trust is your local Wintrust Community Bank. As part of the larger Wintrust Community Bank family, we were built in this area, for this area. We work hard to be an asset to the people and communities we serve: to get to know you and your needs in order to offer the best banking products and even better service. As a Wintrust Community Bank, we’re proud to invest in and give back to our local area.

“Naperville’s only magazine style format broadcast that brings NACC Member business thought leaders to the community’s doorstep with practical advice and valuable consumer driven information.”