Heart of Chicago business owners form new networking organization
By Kathy Hills
Running a small business in the current economic climate can be a challenge. Papi Perez, proprietor of Café Aorta, 2002 W. 21st St., saw the need for networking and went looking for other small business owners and entrepreneurs to join him. Last winter, he chaired the first meeting of Heart of Chicago Networking at his cafe. “There were 15 or 20 people there at the first meeting and, yes, we all are still in business,” he said, laughing.
Roy Lee of Coffee Pot and Mail Drop, 2725 S. Archer Ave., attended the first meeting. “We decided to get together to help each other with our little businesses and to share information about how to do what, how to get answers for insurance questions, and how to find banks that were small business friendly. We expanded immediately to charitable works in our neighborhoods.”
Heart of Chicago Networking has big plans. For chairperson Perez, father of six, improving the community and its business climate is all about improving life for the community’s children. A master of multi-tasking, he works seven days a week at his bustling café and spearheads the networking group’s many activities as well.
Perez recalled that “a week or two after our first meeting, we held our first Winter Wonderland at Café Aorta. Donations of food and clothing were collected and shared with those in need of help.
We had the support of 25th Ward Alderman Danny Solis and local vendors. It was a great party.” The group’s second Winter Wonderland will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 18th St.
Also in the works is The Plan, an employment fair for young people along with an exposition for entrepreneurs and investors to be held Sunday, September 21, at 4 p.m. at the National Museum of Mexican Art. The City of Chicago is involved along with Accion Chicago, the 18th Street Development Corporation, KPMG Accounting, Bank of America, and the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association.
The group’s major fundraiser, the Havana Night of Stars and Elegance, will be held Sunday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m., at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., on the Near North Side.
Nationally known television personality Bill Kurtis and NBC-TV Channel 5 news reporter Alex Perez will co-host, and singer Dionne Hunt will perform. In addition to a silent auction, organizers will collect school supplies for children in need, and 25% of the evening’s proceeds will establish Heart of Chicago Networking’s Back to School Scholarship Fund.
Still in the planning stage is Azucar Angel’s Heart, providing job training in food services in a Pilsen banquet facility along with a parent training program, an entrepreneur/ investors program, and a safe haven program for children. Heart of Chicago Networking counts 20 members, mostly entrepreneurs from the Heart of Chicago and Near South Side communities, although one member comes from Hyde Park and another from Ravenswood. They meet at the café on alternating Wednesdays at 9 p.m., and the public is welcome.
For information on meeting dates, e-mail Papi Perez at papiperez1@yahoo.com, visit online at www.heartofchicagonetworking.com , or stop in at Café Aorta and talk to Perez.
