Elgin Chapter of AmSpirit Business Connections, 2300 Bushwood Drive Elgin, Sleepy Hollow, IL (2026)

09/04/2026

🛡️ Spotlight on Ruben Mendez – HealthMarkets

Real protection isn’t something you set once—it’s something that evolves as your life does. That message came through clearly at the table today. Health coverage isn’t just about having a plan. It’s about having protection that keeps up with real life, real changes, and real needs. And that’s exactly where Ruben Mendez stands out.

With 35 years of experience, Ruben brings clarity to a space most people find overwhelming. As an independent broker, he compares and contrasts current health plans, provides free quotes, and never charges a service fee. His approach is information‑based, helping people understand the best timing for making changes—because plans shift at key ages like 30, 45, and 65, and life events can open or close important windows.

Ruben supports clients across the country, with a strong focus on Illinois, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Florida, and Michigan, while still helping people get connected in all 50 states.

Life changes constantly, and your coverage needs to adjust with it.

Ruben works with people who are:
- Starting a career or recently graduating
- Changing jobs or moving to a new area
- Retiring or becoming eligible for Medicare
- Turning 26 or 65
- Losing insurance or needing temporary coverage
- Navigating new citizenship or family changes
- Managing existing conditions or new diagnoses

He also helps with real‑world challenges: onboarding new talent or a new business, missed enrollment periods, families with young children, medical bill debt, and situations where someone needs a specific doctor for a specific medication or exam.

Ruben makes sure clients understand ACA protections, pre‑existing condition rules, essential benefits, and income‑based tax credits—so people know exactly what’s covered and where gaps may exist.

What stands out most is his mindset: protection isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all—it’s personal.

If you or someone you know needs trusted guidance with health insurance—especially in IL, WI, SC, FL, or MI—now’s the perfect time to reach out.

08/27/2026

🏡 Spotlight on David Banke – DB Property Services

If you need outdoor work done—and done right—David Banke is the guy everyone keeps coming back to. With 30+ years of hands‑on experience, he’s built DB Services into a reliable, no‑pressure, one‑stop solution for homes, churches, associations, and commercial properties.

David doesn’t just offer services. He offers structure, consistency, and capability.

And when the job requires machinery, he’s ready:
Boom lifts, cranes, snow pushers, plows—whatever it takes to get the work done safely and efficiently.

Outdoor Services & Materials:
- Natural, brown, red & black mulch
- Yard cleanups, fertilizers, w**d killer & dead‑spot repair
- Flower beds, tree beds, stone or mulch beds
- Tree trimming, removal & storm cleanup
- New plants, dead tree removal & full yard refreshes
- Rocks, salt, firewood & bulk materials
- Drive‑thru prep for new franchises or businesses
- Heavy equipment access for large or hard‑to‑reach jobs

Winter Focus:
- Snow & Ice
- Plowing & salting
- Commercial lots & church properties
- Reliable cadence for storms
- Average snow job: 8 hours
- Tons of salt ready for the season

Whether you’re thinking:
👉 “We need our parking lot handled this winter”
👉 “Our yard needs a full cleanup”
👉 “We need mulch, new plants, or tree work”
👉 “Our association needs consistent maintenance”

David can coordinate it, source it, and execute it—without pressure or inflated pricing.

If it’s outdoors, DB Property Services is your solution.

08/20/2026

🏡 Spotlight on Antoinette Baranek

If you’ve ever sat in on one of Antoinette’s presentations, you know she doesn’t just explain loan programs—she explains purpose. Today’s session drove home one of her core beliefs:

The product’s purpose matters more than the product itself.
Choosing the right loan starts with understanding why you need it, what you’re trying to accomplish, and which program structure actually serves your goals.

What stood out today:
- If you’re planning for taxes or investment positioning, she can walk you through loan structures that support long‑term financial strategy.
- If you’re self‑employed, newly opened, a contractor, or operating off 1099s, legal statements, or bank‑statement‑only revenue, she knows exactly which programs fit your documentation reality.
- If you’re trying to make cash‑style offers, need no‑contingency options, or want a true loan commitment, she has access to programs built for speed and certainty.
- If you have personal debt—like a car loan—and you’re curious how it may be misrepresented or misunderstood in underwriting, she’ll show you how to avoid being misled.
- If you’re a veteran, she’ll help you understand every benefit available to you.
- If you’ve heard of bridge loans but don’t know how they work, she’ll break down how they help sellers move smoothly into their next home while locking in rates.

All of this is possible because of her in‑house buying power—the ability to structure deals that give clients leverage, give sellers confidence, and give buyers options they didn’t know existed.

Her approach remains the same:
👉 Understand the full financial picture
👉 Communicate clearly
👉 Build a strategy that fits the client—not the other way around

If you’re buying, refinancing, planning for taxes, navigating self‑employment, or simply trying to understand what’s actually possible… reach out. Antoinette is the person you want in your corner.

08/14/2026

Shoutout to Jim Werner – The Canine Coach LLC

Jim continues to stand out because his training isn't just about teaching dogs, it's about helping families create better communication, structure, and long-term habits.

This week, Jim shared insights on something many dog owners overlook: using the right training tools for the right purpose.

One of the biggest takeaways was the difference between obedience and tricks. Tricks focus on action items and fun behaviors, while obedience focuses on getting your dog's attention, building reliability, and creating better responses in real-world situations.

Jim works with a variety of training tools depending on the dog, including treat bags, clickers, martingale collars, e-collars, no-slip collars, StarMark collars, and Herm Sprenger collars. The key isn't buying the cheapest tool, it's finding the right tool for your dog's personality, temperament, and training goals.

Another unique part of Jim's approach is his use of 360-degree cameras during training sessions and walks, allowing clients to see real-time interactions, receive feedback, and better understand how their dog responds in everyday environments.

He also emphasizes the importance of using high-value rewards. Sometimes that means investing in higher-quality, smellier treats or even freeze-dried options that truly motivate the dog to learn.

Whether you're dealing with a new puppy, preparing for back-to-school routines, hosting holiday gatherings, expecting a new baby, or simply looking for better behavior at home, Jim helps create training plans that fit your family's lifestyle.

If you're looking for practical, customized dog training that focuses on real-life results, Jim Werner is a great resource to know.

08/07/2026

Shoutout to Scott Peryer, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones

Scott is one of those professionals who brings structure and clarity to some of the most important financial decisions people face.

Through a thoughtful 5-step process, he helps clients identify what matters most, establish meaningful goals, adapt as life changes, and maintain a long-term strategy built around their unique needs.

Scott works with clients on everything from savings and legacy planning to portfolio construction and asset allocation. Whether it's a traditional brokerage account, advisory relationship, fee-based program, or professionally managed portfolio, he helps match the right approach based on each client's goals, involvement preferences, and investment level.

With access to a wide range of solutions, including ETFs, stocks, guided portfolios, delegated management, and model-driven strategies, Scott takes a comprehensive approach to helping clients stay on track and work toward better long-term outcomes.

One of the questions he often helps people address is: What happens to everything you've worked so hard to build?

From wills and trusts to charitable giving and legacy planning, Scott helps clients think through the right strategy for their situation.

If you're looking for a financial professional who provides knowledge, structure, and a long-term partnership focused on helping you build, manage, and evolve your financial future, Scott is a great person to know.

07/23/2026

Business Spotlight: Greg Gatto | Helping Hands

Today's presentation from Greg the Handyman was a great reminder that many of the most common home repair issues start with something simple: hanging something on drywall.

Whether it's curtains, family photos, clocks, towel racks, shelving, or a TV mount, most homeowners have faced the question:
"Can my wall actually hold this?"

Greg walked us through the realities of working with drywall, including how damaged drywall, rough patches, and poorly chosen anchors can lead to loose fixtures, wall damage, or costly repairs down the road.

A few takeaways that stood out:
🔨 Understanding the difference between fasteners and anchor types matters.

🔨 Not all anchors are designed to hold the same amount of weight. Selecting the right option can make the difference between something staying securely mounted or ending up on the floor.

🔨 Finding a stud is often the best solution when supporting heavier items because it provides a stronger attachment point than drywall alone.

🔨 When a stud isn't available, it's important to understand whether the anchor is dealing with shear force (weight pulling down) or tension force (weight pulling outward from the wall), as different anchors perform better under different conditions.

🔨 In some situations, creating additional support behind the wall or reinforcing the mounting location may be the safest long-term solution.

What we appreciate about Greg is that he doesn't just fix problems—he helps people understand why they happen and how to avoid them in the future. That's the kind of expertise that saves homeowners time, money, and frustration.

If you've ever struggled with damaged drywall, anchors pulling out of the wall, or figuring out how to safely mount something heavy, Greg is a great local resource to have in your network.

07/16/2026

This week, we hosted a fun Guest Day with complimentary coffee and donuts, giving visitors the opportunity to experience what our group is all about. Each guest had a chance to introduce their business, share who they help, and explain the best way to refer them.

What makes a group like this valuable isn't just the referrals—it's the relationships. When you meet with the same professionals every week, you learn how they operate, how they serve their clients, and what sets them apart. Over time, that familiarity turns into trust.

For our clients, it means having access to a network of reliable resources across a variety of industries. Whether someone needs an attorney, contractor, financial professional, realtor, dog trainer, or insurance advisor, there's a good chance we know someone we can confidently recommend.

And for business owners, consistently showing up week after week helps strengthen your reputation. People get to see your professionalism, expertise, and commitment firsthand.

A great morning of coffee, donuts, networking, and building stronger relationships. Thanks to everyone who joined us and shared their business with the group!

07/15/2026

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

07/10/2026

Had a great conversation today with Allen M. Katz @ First Search, who has spent more than 40 years helping companies find talent for key positions. That experience led to a bigger discussion about what hiring looks like today.

The reality is that hiring isn't getting easier.

AI has made it easier for candidates to apply to more jobs than ever before. Companies may receive hundreds of applications, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're receiving hundreds of qualified candidates.

At the same time, hiring managers and business owners are already overloaded. They're running the business, leading teams, serving customers, and trying to grow. Sorting through resumes and finding the right person often falls to the bottom of a very long to-do list.

Meanwhile, great candidates can become discouraged by a lack of communication, lengthy processes, and uncertainty about what's really happening behind the scenes.

The result is a tougher market for everyone:
More applicants
More noise
Less time
Harder searches
Greater importance on finding the right fit

The conversations that stood out most weren't about AI or technology. They were about people.

Employers looking to develop future talent instead of simply filling openings.

Professionals seeking coaching, industry insights, career guidance, or a path into a new role.

Real conversations. Growth mindsets. Long-term thinking.

Technology can help us process information faster, but finding the right opportunity—or the right person—still comes down to understanding people.

That's where the best relationships and opportunities are built.

07/02/2026

🔦 Referral Partner Spotlight: Jason Ge**er - Big Red Painting

One of the benefits of being part of a strong networking community is meeting business owners who genuinely care about the experience they provide their customers. That's exactly what we found with Jason Ge**er, owner of Big Red Painting. Jason built his business around quality craftsmanship, communication, and attention to detail.

During a recent presentation, Jason walked us through his process, and it was clear that a successful paint job starts long before the first coat goes on. He makes it easy for homeowners to connect through multiple communication channels, works with them to find a schedule that fits their needs, and often uses photos to better understand the project before getting started.

What stood out to us was how much emphasis he puts on preparation. From cleaning, sanding, and patching nail holes and minor cracks to carefully protecting the home and planning the flow of the project, Jason believes the details make the difference. He also provides detailed, itemized estimates so homeowners know exactly what work is being completed and how pricing is broken down by room or project area.

Throughout the project, Jason stays in communication with his clients through end-of-day updates to keep everything on schedule and ensure expectations are being met. After the work is complete, any leftover paint stays with the homeowner, and touch-up paint work is always available at no charge.

In an industry where trust matters, Jason has built a reputation around delivering a great customer experience from the initial conversation through the final walkthrough. If you're looking for a painting professional who values communication, preparation, and quality results, Jason is someone to recommend.

Elgin Chapter of AmSpirit Business Connections

09/04/2026

08/27/2026

08/20/2026

08/14/2026

08/07/2026

07/23/2026

07/16/2026

07/15/2026

07/10/2026

07/02/2026

Address

Opening Hours

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request