Elgin Chapter of AmSpirit Business Connections

06/17/2026

Join us on July 16th to meet local business owners and make new connections! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/networking-that-works-meet-local-professionals-grow-your-business-tickets-1992031441666?aff=oddtdtcreator

06/12/2026

Looking for new ways to grow your business and generate more referrals?
Join local business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals for a casual evening of networking, relationship-building, and conversation at Moretti's in Elgin.
Know someone who would benefit from expanding their network? Bring them along!
📅 June 17
⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Moretti's, Elgin
Food and drinks available for purchase.
Registration is appreciated but not required:

Join us to connect with local business owners, expand your network, and create new referral opportunities.

06/11/2026

🏡 Spotlight on Antoinette Baranek – Union Home Mortgage

When it comes to navigating the mortgage process with clarity and confidence, Antoinette is someone who truly stands out.

With over 30 years of financial experience, she brings a big-picture, solution-oriented approach to every client—focusing on what works best for their goals, not just the loan itself.

What makes her different:
- Full-service lending with in-house support
- Access to nationwide programs and a broad portfolio of options
- Creative solutions including:
-HELOCs & 2nd mortgages
-Reverse mortgages
-Hard money loans
-Down payment assistance & grant programs
- New purchases & refinances

Her approach is simple but powerful:
👉 Understand the full financial picture
👉 Communicate clearly (no confusion, no unanswered questions)
👉 Build a strategy that actually fits the client’s future

Union Home Mortgage itself is a fast-growing, privately held company with a strong reputation—including being recognized as a Top Place to Work since 2015 and continuing to expand nationally.

She keeps things straightforward:
Two-way communication, honest guidance, and a focus on solutions—not pressure.

That’s what gives her a real competitive edge.

If you’re buying, refinancing, or just trying to understand your options better, Antoinette is a great resource to have in your corner.

06/11/2026

👉 We’ve also got a Visitor Day coming up in July—keep an eye out for details as we get closer!!!

06/04/2026

🌲 Spotlight on David Banke – DB Property Services

If you’re looking for someone who truly understands how to get outdoor work done the right way, David Banke is a name that stands out.

After years of hands-on experience and running DB Services on his own, David has built something most people don’t realize they need until they find it:

A one-stop partner for just about anything outside your home or property.

What separates him isn’t just what he does—it’s how he operates.

David has a network of trusted subcontractors he can bring in for specialized work like:
- Snow removal
- Blacktop and driveways
- Concrete and patios
- Large equipment and heavy machinery jobs

And he has access to the materials to match:
- Firewood, mulch, salt, and bulk supplies
- Tree removal, logs, and brush clearing
- Everything needed to support projects both big and small

So whether you’re thinking:
👉 “I need to redo my driveway”
👉 “My yard needs a full refresh”
👉 “We need trees cleared or trimmed”
👉 “Our retaining wall or landscaping needs work”

He can coordinate it, source it, and execute it.

05/29/2026

☂️ Real protection isn’t something you set once—it’s something that evolves with your life.

At the table today, that idea came through clearly.

Good coverage isn’t just about having a plan… it’s about having protection that actually keeps up with real life.

That’s where Ruben Mendez with HealthMarkets separates himself.

Ruben takes an independent approach, giving him access to a wide range of carriers, programs, and networks—so he can help match coverage to the person, not the other way around.

And in real life, that matters more than most people realize.

Because whether you’re:
-Starting a career or recently graduated
-Changing jobs or moving to a new area
-Retiring or becoming eligible for Medicare
-Navigating new citizenship or family changes

Your coverage needs to adjust with you.

Ruben helps people work through:

-Critical care, illness, hospitalization, and prescriptions
-Supplemental and gap coverage (where most risks show up)
-Mental health and everyday care needs
-Budget planning—what you pay, what’s covered, and where limits exist

He also takes time to understand the bigger picture:
Your lifestyle, your family, and your long-term goals.

What we appreciate most is his mindset:
Protection isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s personal.

If you’ve gone through a recent change—or just want to better understand how your coverage actually works—he’s a great resource to connect with.

05/21/2026

🐾 Shoutout to Jim Werner - The Canine Coach LLC
If you’re looking for real, practical results with your dog, Jim is someone who truly stands out.

What makes his approach different?
It’s not just about training the dog—it’s about training the owner too.

Jim focuses on:
Clear communication and consistency in the home
Real-life behavior (not just “practice” commands)
Building confidence around everyday distractions

Every program is fully customized based on:
✔️ Your home environment and routines
✔️ Your dog’s breed, temperament, and age
✔️ Your goals (not just obedience—but how you want to live with your dog)

And the biggest difference:
Training happens in your environment—not a facility.
That means results actually carry over into real life.

Jim works with everything from puppies (starting as early as 16 weeks) to dogs dealing with anxiety, reactivity, or behavioral challenges—all while helping owners understand signals, structure, and consistency.

He even offers guidance before you get a dog—helping you choose the right breed and set things up the right way from day one.

This isn’t about commands or punishment—it’s about communication, leadership, and long-term habits.

If you want to create a better relationship with your dog (and a calmer home), Jim is a great resource to connect with.

05/14/2026

💼 Shoutout to Scott Peryer – Edward Jones Financial Advisor

This week at our AmSpirit group, we heard from Scott—and one thing stood out:

He brings structure to something most people avoid thinking about.

Scott walks clients through a clear 5-step process built around:
- Understanding what actually matters to you
- Setting realistic goals
- Adjusting as life changes
- And maintaining a long-term partnership

Because the truth is—estate planning and financial decisions don’t just “work themselves out”… they happen either way.

Scott helps guide conversations around:
- Saving vs. spending vs. legacy
- Asset and portfolio alignment
- Household roles and responsibilities
- Planning for what happens down the road (not just today)

And maybe the biggest question people avoid:
What happens to everything you’ve built?

Whether that’s through a will, trust, gifting, or other strategies—Scott helps you think through it the right way for your situation.

What I appreciate most is his approach:
He doesn’t rush through a checklist—he takes the time to understand your life, your priorities, and where you’re trying to go.

If you’re looking for someone who brings clarity, structure, and a long-term view to your financial picture, Scott is a great person to know.

05/01/2026

Most people think a stud finder is enough. It’s not!

Today, Greg the Handyman walked us through something that completely changed how I look at mounting anything in a home.
Stud finders are a tool—but understanding the wall is the skill.
Here’s what stood out:

Studs are typically spaced around 16” on center… but older homes don’t always follow that pattern
You can’t rely on one scan—you have to confirm the spacing across the entire wall
Outlets, window edges, and corners often help you identify where studs actually run
Walls with bump-outs, fireplaces, or open spaces can throw off expectations
The right approach matters for TVs, curtains, closets, heavy frames—anything with weight behind it

The biggest takeaway:
Good work isn’t just about using the right tool—it’s about knowing when the tool alone isn’t enough.
That level of attention and understanding is what separates quick installs from work that actually lasts.
Appreciate Greg for breaking down the “why” behind it.

04/16/2026

🏡 Thinking About Updating Without Breaking the Bank?

If your home (or business) could use a refresh — or you’re getting a place ready to sell or move into — Jason Ge**er with Big Red Painting is someone you’ll want to know.

Jason’s been growing his business for the last 3 years by doing things the right way: quality work, clean finishes, and paying attention to the little details that actually matter.

He works on everything from interior and exterior painting to cabinets, doors, windows, trim, banisters, handrails, garages, sheds, and more. Great fit for ranch‑style homes, retired communities, and new construction, especially when it comes to bathroom ceilings, water spots from roof leaks, fireplaces, or patching nail holes, knicks, and texture issues.

What people really appreciate? Jason preps properly, protects the space, and cleans up when he’s done — so your home looks better than when he started.

Whether it’s rolling, spraying, staining, refinishing, or helping you decide what finish makes the most sense, he’ll walk you through it without the pressure.

💬 Start with an estimate

Clear pricing, honest timelines, and no guessing.