Making Work Better: Employment Law & Workplace Challenges artwork

Making Work Better: Employment Law & Workplace Challenges

75 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratings

Making Work Better explores employment law, business issues, and workplace challenges through personal narratives and legal commentary. Our employment attorney experts and their guests discuss everything from new laws and human resources challenges to launching a small business or forging a unique career path. As the flagship program of The Prinz Law Firm in Chicago, this podcast will not feature legal advice—just conversations that help us all to make work better, regardless of our role.

You might remember Making Work Better as "Tales from Around the Watercooler." We rebranded to better reflect the employment focus of our content.

Learn about the firm and its work at https://www.prinz-lawfirm.com.

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Episodes

Ep. 18 – An Introduction to Culture Audits (Investigations III)

February 19, 2024 20:05 - 38 minutes - 53.4 MB

Seasoned workplace investigators Kristen Prinz and Christina Hynes Mesco discuss one of their favorite topics: culture audits! They discuss how audits can help prevent workplace problems before they arise, enabling organizations to avoid the costs of poor company culture: legal liability, legal fees, and lost productivity. More than that, culture audits signal to employees that the organization cares about them and their input, and takes workplace culture seriously. This episode is for anyon...

Ep. 17 – Disrupting Workplace Discrimination

February 07, 2024 17:27 - 35 minutes - 48.9 MB

Kristen Prinz welcomes to the mic Chiquita Hall-Jackson, a lawyer, DEI consultant, and community advocate known as the “Discrimination Disrupter.” Chiquita strives to dismantle systems of bias, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace, and is recently the author of We Gon’ Be Alright: A Black Executive's Guide to Navigating Workplace Dynamics.   In their wide-ranging conversation, Kristen and Chiquita address the difficulties that minority employees often face in the workplace, es...

Ep. 16 – Non-Compete Bans (Non-Competes III)

January 08, 2024 20:49 - 17 minutes - 24.3 MB

Employment attorney Amit Bindra unpacks two recent attempts to ban non-competes. Starting with the successful legal ban in Minnesota, Amit explains why the prohibition is novel and addresses certain exemptions under the new law. He then turns to the state legislature’s attempt at banning non-competes in New York, highlighting the proposed law’s exemptions and penalties. While ultimately unsuccessful, the move to ban non-competes in New York will likely see an Act 2 in the next legislative se...

Ep. 15 – New Illinois Employment Laws of 2024

December 28, 2023 21:07 - 17 minutes - 23.9 MB

Employment attorney and business counselor Poonam Lakhani joins marketing manager and paralegal Matt Tedeschi to address the most significant new employment laws taking effect in Illinois in 2024. From minimum wage increases and new paid leave requirements to increased employer liability for workplace sexual assault, the new year will see the evolution of work across the state. Whether you are an employee, in management, or a business owner, tune in to learn about what these changes might m...

Ep. 14 – Workplace Leave Policies

December 14, 2023 15:38 - 35 minutes - 49.1 MB

Employment attorney and business counselor Poonam Lakhani discusses various types of workplace leave with marketing manager and paralegal Matt Tedeschi. They address recent trends in leave requirements as well as compliance challenges for businesses across jurisdictions. Poonam and Matt particularly focus on new paid time off laws in Illinois and Chicago, exploring their main components and what they might mean for you, whether you are a business owner or an employee.    Stay Connected ...

Ep. 13 – How Can You Throw a Safe and Appropriate Holiday Party?

November 27, 2023 16:44 - 35 minutes - 48.7 MB

Does your business want to throw a holiday party but you’re afraid of potential shenanigans…and the liability that might result from them? In this episode geared toward employers, Marketing Manager and paralegal Matt Tedeschi welcomes Laura Feldman, plaintiff’s employment attorney and specialist on workplace sexual assault, to discuss what every employer should do before, during, and after a party to minimize the likelihood of harassment, assault, and other legal claims. Perfect for HR repr...

Ep. 12 – The Corporate Transparency Act and Your Business

November 08, 2023 17:32 - 20 minutes - 28.3 MB

Managing Partner Kristen Prinz and transactional attorney Katie Rinkus discuss the Corporate Transparency Act, a new federal law requiring all companies to report information related to company ownership. Although the law’s intent was to combat the creation of shell companies, Kristen and Katie discuss what this means for your business: who can see your information, when and how to file, and whether there are exemptions under the law. Tune in today to ensure your business is compliant with t...

Ep. 11 – Mental Health Benefits in the Workplace

October 25, 2023 17:11 - 36 minutes - 50.2 MB

This episode focuses on the mental health benefits that workplaces can provide to workers. Kristen Prinz welcomes to the mic Sarah Malavenda, a trained psychotherapist and the Co-Founder & COO of Samata Health, and Angelia Salgado, the firm’s Operations Manager who recently earned an M.A. in mental health counseling.   Kristen, Sarah, and Angelia discuss the prevalence of burn-out, the fact that it’s become more acceptable to discuss mental health in the workplace, and whether there is a...

Ep. 10 – The Delaware Trilogy of Non-Compete Cases (Non-Competes II)

October 09, 2023 15:39 - 31 minutes - 44 MB

Prinz Partner Amit Bindra elucidates three recent rulings of the Delaware Chancery Court, one of the nation’s foremost non-compete courts. Two of the decisions involved business acquisitions, while a third addressed forfeiture clauses. Notably, the Court refused to enforce non-compete agreements in all three of these cases. Find out why in this episode, as Amit walks us through the Court’s reasoning, the potential impact these decisions could have on businesses, and how these holdings are pa...

Ep. 9 – The Basics of a Workplace Investigation (Investigations II)

September 15, 2023 15:19 - 35 minutes - 49 MB

What would you do if an employee reported that a colleague kissed her without her permission at the company holiday party? Our attorneys say: investigate! From their experience as employment attorneys and workplace investigators, Kristen Prinz and Christina Hynes Mesco outline the nuts and bolts of conducting a workplace investigation in this episode.   Using the true-life example of the involuntary kiss, they address what to do if your employee reports harassment, including the importan...

Ep. 8 – The Lizzo Lawsuit and Employment Law

September 06, 2023 19:50 - 49 minutes - 67.7 MB

Allegations from former dancers that Lizzo created a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment and even false imprisonment have rocked the singer and body positivity icon’s image, leaving many of her fans stunned. Employment attorney Christina Hynes Mesco and paralegal Allison Wolcott clarify the situation and explain what it can reveal to us about our own workplaces. Allison provides insight into the allegations by drawing on her years as a professionally trained dancer, rev...

Ep. 7 – Should Your Business Have an Unlimited PTO Policy?

August 22, 2023 14:41 - 33 minutes - 46.7 MB

Prinz attorney Poonam Lakhani and Laura Lefkow-Hynes discuss all things unlimited PTO in this episode! Reflecting on the trend in corporate America to increasingly offer unlimited PTO, Poonam and Laura address both the benefits and pitfalls of an unlimited PTO policy. Businesses must think through and balance various considerations before drafting a policy to ensure its clarity and applicability. But once a policy exists, it may lead to unintended consequences, such as claims of discriminati...

Ep. 6 - Health Insurance and Employment

August 09, 2023 15:23 - 38 minutes - 52.6 MB

Kristen Prinz welcomes Alexandra Eidenberg, president and founder of The Insurance People, an award-winning insurance agency specializing in employee benefits, individual health insurance, and Medicare. Kristen and Alexandra discuss the variety of ways that health insurance can be related to one’s employment, touching upon employer plans, individual plans, Illinois coverage continuation, and COBRA. They also address what to keep in mind when your employment is coming to an end and what to lo...

Ep. 5 – What Are Non-Competes and Why Do They Matter? (Non-Competes I)

July 26, 2023 19:43 - 39 minutes - 54.3 MB

Prinz Partner Amit Bindra unpacks everything you’ve ever wanted to know about non-competes: what a non-competition agreement is, where employees are likely to see them, and how long they typically last. Amit also addresses how non-competes are related to other restrictive provisions, such as non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements, and the typical timeline of a non-compete lawsuit. He highlights what employers and employees should be aware of--both when employment begins and ends--to...

Ep. 4 - What Are Workplace Investigations and Why Do They Matter? (Investigations I)

July 19, 2023 14:27 - 29 minutes - 41.1 MB

You might have heard in the news of workplace investigations underway at any number of companies that have been struck with controversy. Kristen Prinz and Christina Hynes Mesco are both employment attorneys and experienced workplace investigators. In this episode, they delve into what exactly a workplace investigation is, what sort of matters might be investigated in the workplace, and how you should determine whether to bring in an external investigator or keep an inquiry in house. Finally,...

Ep. 3 - Hair Discrimination

June 20, 2023 14:45 - 26 minutes - 35.9 MB

In this episode, Paralegal Supervisor Christina Martinez tackles the topic of hair discrimination with Matt Tedeschi, Marketing Manager and an employment paralegal at the firm. Basing their discussion on a blog post Christina wrote and her subsequent interview with WGN Radio 720, they address a new law that bans hair discrimination in Illinois, including in employment.   Christina shares her own experience of fearing she would not be taken seriously during job interviews or even in the w...

Ep. 2 - Why Should You Care about Employment Law?

May 17, 2023 20:24 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MB

Prinz attorneys and business counselors Kristen Prinz, Amit Bindra, and Christina Hynes Mesco hold an animated conversation on why you should care about employment law. They point out that employees themselves are concerned with what the law says, knowing and implementing the law can protect employers against liability, and compliance helps to improve overall workplace culture. In the course of their discussion, Kristen, Amit, and Christina touch upon popular hysteria about the law and med...

Ep. 1 - Podcast Re-Launch

May 16, 2023 22:11 - 12 minutes - 20.6 MB

The signature podcast of The Prinz Law Firm has been rebranded and rebooted! Now known as “Making Work Better: Employment Law & Workplace Challenges,” this podcast will continue to discuss leading issues in employment law, human resources, business planning, and career growth. In this first episode, partners Kristen Prinz and Amit Bindra discuss the unique nature of this podcast and how each episode will empower you to make work better. Tune into this brief introduction and discover what f...

Episode 7: How to Get an Attorney to Take Your Case (from the People Who Screen Their Calls)

October 27, 2021 16:58 - 51 minutes - 93.6 MB

In this episode of Tales from Around the Watercooler, Prinz staff describe how callers can best ensure their legal matters gets to an attorney. Paralegal (and former Intake Specialist) Marcet Crockett and current Intake Specialist Grace Moore discuss the process of handling communications with potential new clients at the firm. They provide listeners with first-hand insight into the information that intake staff like to have, the sort of questions they are likely to ask, and the best ways fo...

Episode 6: Political and Social Discussions in the Workplace

August 31, 2021 17:37 - 27 minutes - 37.2 MB

In this episode, Kristen chats with two of The Prinz Law Firm’s Associate Attorneys, Poonam Lakhani and Elizabeth Hanford. They discuss a recent policy implemented by the tech company Basecamp that banned employees from discussing political and social issues in the workplace. Our attorneys explore the legality of regulating conversations at work and the slippery slope that can occur when employers decide to do so. They also touch on the unique backlash such policies can incite, as well as th...

Episode 5: COVID-19 & Employee Privacy

July 27, 2021 21:29 - 28 minutes - 39.4 MB

In this episode, Kristen chats with Poonam Lakhani, one of The Prinz Law Firm’s associate attorneys, about how COVID-19 intersects with workplace privacy. Kristen & Poonam discuss whether businesses can require employees to get vaccinated, if an employer can ask about vaccine status, and workplace safety measures during the vaccine rollout. Kristen and Poonam also dive into the privacy concerns surrounding coronavirus outbreaks in the workplace and supply helpful procedures for handling such...

Episode 4: What is VESSA and Why Is It Important?

June 29, 2021 21:43 - 20 minutes - 27.6 MB

In this episode, Kristen sits down with one of the firm’s associate attorneys, Laura Lefkow-Hynes, to discuss a little-known but crucial law in Illinois named the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA). VESSA allows workers facing domestic violence to take time off of work, among other provisions. Kristen & Laura take a deep-dive into the origins of VESSA, whom it protects, and how to address VESSA rights for you or a loved one in your workplace. They also underline the importance...

Episode 4: What is VESSA and Why Is It Important?

June 29, 2021 21:43 - 20 minutes - 27.6 MB

In this episode, Kristen sits down with one of the firm’s associate attorneys, Laura Lefkow-Hynes, to discuss a little-known but crucial law in Illinois named the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA). VESSA allows workers facing domestic violence to take time off of work, among other provisions. Kristen & Laura take a deep-dive into the origins of VESSA, whom it protects, and how to address VESSA rights for you or a loved one in your workplace. They also underline the importance...

Episode 3: “Profit First,” with Mike Michalowicz

May 25, 2021 16:00 - 28 minutes - 39.7 MB

In this episode, Mike Michalowicz, innovative entrepreneur and author of seven books, sits down with Kristen to discuss what is perhaps his most impactful work, Profit First. Mike shares the heartbreaking story that eventually led him to write this book as well as how the principle of “profit first” can facilitate positive change in a business. Kristen and Mike also discuss the effect that “profit first” can have on company culture and how to shape that effect. Tune in to hear a fascinating ...

Episode 2: Non-Competes, with Amit Bindra

April 22, 2021 03:01 - 19 minutes - 26.2 MB

In this episode, Kristen and fellow Prinz Law Firm Partner Amit Bindra do a deep dive into non-compete agreements. Amit has significant experience litigating these matters and is also the author of a bill currently pending in the Illinois legislature: H.B. 789 and its counterpart, S.B. 3430. In this episode, Amit educates us on what non-competes really are, when they apply, and the advantages and disadvantages they hold for both employers and employees. Stay Connected: Amit Bindra on Link...

Episode 1 – Wrongful Termination

March 29, 2021 13:22 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MB

In this episode, Kristen announces the re-launch of Tales From Around The Water Cooler as it centers even more on workplace stories and employment law. Kristen and fellow Prinz Law Firm attorney Christina Hynes Mesco dive into a dynamic discussion of the meaning of the well-known phrase “wrongful termination.” They provide specific anecdotes from their legal experience, including the many grounds employees have been given for their terminations. By the end of this episode, you will have shar...

Episode 49: The Nuanced Issues of Women in the Workplace, with Alison Gaddis

February 25, 2021 16:23 - 45 minutes - 61.9 MB

On this week’s episode of Tales Around the Water Cooler, Kristen sits down with Senior User Experience Designer and longtime friend Alison Gaddis. They run the gamut of topics regarding their careers, beginning with their very first job together at Coconut’s Music and Movies. Kristen and Alison share their experiences as two women in leadership roles. The two chat about how to handle uncomfortable workplace dynamics, the unique value of a creative mind, and the trials and triumphs of being a...

Ep 48 - Navigating A Job and Everyday Life in These Uncertain Times with Amy M. Gardner

February 14, 2021 00:56 - 31 minutes - 43.5 MB

In this episode of “Tales from Around the Water Cooler,” Amy M. Gardner, certified Career and Career Transitions Coach, shares her advice for navigating work in the midst of everyday life during these uncertain times. She shares personal testimony of switching careers after a life-changing German Marshall Fellowship and offers guidance on how to transform one’s passion into a business. Amy and Kristen also discuss smart goal-setting, making each day enjoyable, and the importance of trust and...

EP 47 - Starting A New Business in A Pandemic

February 14, 2021 00:51 - 39 minutes - 53.6 MB

Kristen sits down with Derek Drake, CEO and co-founder of Ditto Foods LLC., to talk food, farming, and entrepreneurship. Ditto Foods, which provides high-quality produce grown in a controlled environment to communities and customers, is a new startup. They discuss the difficulties of starting a new business in a pandemic, and the factors in Derek’s life that gave him his interest in compassionate entrepreneurship, natural foods, and community access to healthy eating. Stay Connected with D...

ATWC EP46 - Networking and Entrepreneurship During a Pandemic with Megan Burke

October 19, 2020 09:00 - 38 minutes - 52.2 MB

Founder of networking advisory company keepwith® Megan Burke recently joined Kristen to discuss networking and entrepreneurship during a pandemic. As a networking consultant, Megan’s start-up has been heavily impacted by COVID-19, but the launch of a new digital service and other leaps forward have paradoxically led to unprecedented growth for keepwith. Megan and Kristen discuss these challenges and successes, as well as the importance of building a networking strategy and how networking is ...

ATWC EP45 - Harassment Training with Kristen Prinz & Christina Hynes Mesco

October 16, 2020 19:06 - 42 minutes - 57.9 MB

The past several years have revealed just how widespread the problem of harassment in the workplace is. In this episode of Tales From Around The Water Cooler, Kristen Prinz and Christina Hynes Mesco of The Prinz Law Firm have a frank discussion about anti-harassment trainings in the workplace. The duo breaks down what constitutes harassment and how companies can address the issue, from mandatory sexual harassment trainings to cultural audits and listening sessions. Kristen and Christina expa...

ATWC EP. 44 Business Consulting in Different Cultures with Carter Crockett, Ph.D.

September 24, 2020 12:00 - 37 minutes - 51 MB

Show Notes: Carter Crockett calls in from Kigali, Rwanda, where he owns and manages a Karisimbi Business Partners, the first consulting firm in the country paid by business leaders to help with strategic decisions, often by providing business plans, market research, feasibility studies and more. He and Kristen discuss how one ends up doing social entrepreneurship in a small African country, and how business consulting works differently in different cultures. They also explore the business en...

Ep 43 - Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability with Marcy Twete

August 27, 2020 14:04 - 42 minutes - 58 MB

Kristen talks work and life with Marcy Twete, founder of her own consulting business and expert in corporate responsibility and sustainability. From the failure of her first venture into entrepreneurship to the success she found through networking in a new city, fearlessness and ambition have played important roles in Marcy’s journey to where she is now. They also discuss the responsibility of corporations to benefit society and the environment, especially now when those in the public eye ar...

ATWC EP 42 - Emerging Market Entrepreneurship with Brad Spirrison

August 12, 2020 19:32 - 41 minutes - 56.8 MB

Kristen welcomes Brad Spirrison, an entrepreneur many times over who has made a mark in various sectors, from sports journalism to educational technology to the burgeoning cannabis marketplace. In this one-on-one conversation, Brad discusses his professional path, characterized by risk-taking and creating companies from the ground up. He also explains his interest in emerging markets and highlights some of his ongoing projects. He currently plays a key role in WorkFlowEdu, an educational tec...

ATWC EP39 - Back to the Dentist after Lockdown

July 02, 2020 05:51 - 23 minutes - 32.7 MB

Kristen welcomes dentist Dr. Anushka Gaglani, co-owner of TruBlue Dentistry, to the show to discuss returning to work post-quarantine. They explore the anxiety felt by employees, employers, and the general public about returning to business as “usual” as well as the measures businesses are taking to ensure safety. Some dentists’ offices and other clinics are implementing staggered appointments, temperature checks at the door, and requirements that patients fill out wellness forms before thei...

ATWC EP38 -Business Owners' Roundtable: Plans for Returning to Work

May 29, 2020 04:59 - 50 minutes - 69.5 MB

Kristen Prinz sits down (remotely) with President and CEO of KODO Care Chad Kodiak, Founder and CEO of Aqueity Dan Dunn, and Co-Founder and CMO of mSEED Group Anthony Standifer to talk about bringing employees back to work after weeks or months of quarantine. Representing a variety of business sectors, these leaders have employed unique strategies for returning to work, tailored to their respective industries. Since each company faces its own set of challenges while dealing with this pandemi...

ATWC EP37 - HR consultant Christy Lyons - Returning to work - COVID 19

May 14, 2020 04:05 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MB

Kristen Prinz welcomes Christy Lyons to this episode “Tales from Around the Water Cooler” to talk about returning to work during and after the COVID-19 pandemic from a Human Resources perspective. Christy Lyons is a sought-after HR consultant and founder of 4 Point Consulting, which works with companies of all sizes to create customized plans for HR and talent acquisition. They discuss the challenges that employers face when bringing furloughed employees back to work, and strategies for maki...

ATWC EP35 – Kristen and Amit discuss hopes, fears, and uncertainties that currently define our work life

May 03, 2020 20:34 - 21 minutes - 15 MB

Times are strange. Kristen and Amit share the mic for a discussion about the myriad effects of COVID-19 on businesses. From the difficulties of working from home to the anxieties with which many business-owners struggle on a daily basis, work has changed in almost every way. They discuss the importance of regular communication between leaders and their employees, noting that this is a time in which everyone is seeking guidance from authority. Tune in for a candid look at the hopes, fears, an...

ATWC EP36 – Kristen and Amit discuss hopes, fears, and uncertainties that currently define our work life

May 03, 2020 20:34 - 21 minutes - 15 MB

Times are strange. Kristen and Amit share the mic for a discussion about the myriad effects of COVID-19 on businesses. From the difficulties of working from home to the anxieties with which many business-owners struggle on a daily basis, work has changed in almost every way. They discuss the importance of regular communication between leaders and their employees, noting that this is a time in which everyone is seeking guidance from authority. Tune in for a candid look at the hopes, fears, an...

ATWC EP35 – Carol Semrad discusses networking and relationships in the workplace

March 08, 2020 18:35 - 47 minutes - 32.3 MB

In this episode of “Tales from Around the Water Cooler”, Kristen sits down with Carol Semrad, principal of C. Semrad & Associates, where she does human resources consulting for small- to medium-sized companies. Carol and Kristen discuss the important of networking and relationships in the workplace environment of today, which can be unpredictable and quick to change. They talk about the challenges of being either an employer and an employee at a rapidly growing business, and the responsibili...

ATWC EP34 – Shadin Maali predicts the future of executive search

November 27, 2019 10:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MB

Tune in to hear Kristen share the mic with Shadin Maali, Principal in Allen Austin/Gaines International’s executive search practice, where she focuses on the architecture, engineering and construction sectors. Shadin shares her views on how women bring particular strengths to the relationship-building facet of search and how search is navigating the market’s current talent squeeze. One of her favorite concepts encountered on the job is “empathetic design” and how it is informing the construc...

ATWC EP32 – Nicole Martin shares why HR is everything

October 03, 2019 03:08 - 56 minutes - 39 MB

“HR has changed. HR is no longer the compliance department, it shouldn’t be the police department, and it better not be the therapist’s office.”   That’s just a taste of what you’ll get in this podcast. Tune in as Kristen shares the mic with Nicole Martin, founder and CEO of human resource management consultancy HR Boost, to discuss what got her started in HR consulting, living each day with presence and purpose, and projecting positive energy. Kristen and Nicole also examine the challen...

ATWC EP33 – Nicole Martin shares why HR is everything

October 03, 2019 03:08 - 56 minutes - 39 MB

“HR has changed. HR is no longer the compliance department, it shouldn’t be the police department, and it better not be the therapist’s office.”   That’s just a taste of what you’ll get in this podcast. Tune in as Kristen shares the mic with Nicole Martin, founder and CEO of human resource management consultancy HR Boost, to discuss what got her started in HR consulting, living each day with presence and purpose, and projecting positive energy. Kristen and Nicole also examine the challen...

ATWC EP32 – Financial advisor Anjali Jariwala shares advice for business owners

July 22, 2019 07:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MB

In this episode of “Tales from Around the Water Cooler,” Anjali Jariwala, CPA and CFP®, founder of FIT Advisors—a financial planning firm serving physicians and business owners virtually across the U.S.—takes us through the factors that influenced her decision to launch her own business. Anjali explores the challenges she experiences as a business owner and provides us with tips on how she maintains a high level of service while creating the work culture that best fits her firm. If you are a...

ATWC EP31 – Gary Kaplan and Leading with Project Centric Style

March 26, 2019 05:00 - 51 minutes - 35.1 MB

In this episode of “Tales from Around the Water Cooler,” Gary Kaplan, Leader for XL Catlin’s North America Construction unit, returns to the show and offers greater insight behind his Project Centric Leadership style. Gary breaks down the steps of his Leadership, Planning and Execution Model that he practices to create change and success at XL. He and Kristen also discuss values and favorite books that support their leadership essentials.

ATWC EP30 – Behind the Mic with Kristen Prinz

March 05, 2019 09:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MB

In this episode, we go “behind the mic” with Kristen Prinz to discuss her personal and professional path to becoming an established attorney and small business owner. The firm’s legal assistant Matt takes us on a blast to the past to learn of Kristen’s high school habits, what led her to law school, and why she entered employment and business law. Starting from an office in “a windowless closet,” Kristen explains how she grew her business and became a boss. Along the way, Kristen sheds light...

ATWC EP29 – Megan Roudebush: Building a Business, Networking and Time Management

January 22, 2019 09:30 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MB

In this episode, Kristen Prinz welcomes Megan Roudebush, Founder of keepwith, a firm that teaches people networking skills. Megan shares her journey of building her own business while keeping her important and demanding day job. Networking has been a prominent tool in Megan’s career path, and led her to build a business around what she does best. But how does she do it? Megan says, “Time management is critical,” in both her career and personal life. If you are thinking of building a side bus...

ATWC EP28 – Cherilyn Murer: Life, Family and Business Success

November 08, 2018 06:02 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MB

  Cherilyn Murer: Life, Family and Business Success   In this episode of “Tales from Around the Water Cooler,” successful entrepreneur and philanthropist Cherilyn Murer discusses why both women and men need balance in their professional and personal lives. She shares insights about her 32-year career in healthcare and higher education and the nuances of succeeding in these competitive and highly transformational fields. She and Kristen also discuss the importance of leadership, volunte...

ATWC EP27 - Karen Spears and Putting Money Where your Future Lies

November 01, 2018 02:26 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MB

In this episode of “Tales from Around the Water Cooler,” Karen Spears, Owner of Kareracter and Co-Founder and COO of Let’s Vibe, L3C, shares her journey through entrepreneurship as a 23-year-old business owner.  She voices her drive in creating and operating her design and women development businesses. Kristen and Karen discuss the strategy and risks needed to cultivate a successful business as women entrepreneurs. Karen’s mission across both of her businesses is to creating a world of possi...

ATWC EP26 - Michael Ziri shares his passion for advancing equality

September 30, 2018 16:01 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MB

In this episode of “Tales from Around the Water Cooler,” Michael Ziri, Director of Public Policy at Equality Illinois, shares his passion for advancing the rights and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Illinoisans. Kristen and Michael discuss pending legislation that affirms LGBTQ people in areas such as employment and education. Michael also provides insight into his current efforts with Equality Illinois to provide civic engagement opportunities and resource...

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