Harper Stories

Mary C Gluten-Free Treats by Mary Curkov

October 23, 2025

After taking early retirement, Mary Curkov found herself back in the kitchen—this time, baking up a business plan. With more than thirty years in corporate sales and merchandising, Curkov was ready to launch a new venture, one that offered flexibility, purpose, and a creative outlet. Entrepreneurship was the natural next step, allowing her to blend career experience with personal passion to build a rewarding company from scratch. That became the recipe for Mary C Gluten-Free Treats, a brand built on empathy, creativity, and the desire to make life sweeter for those with dietary restrictions. Read More

Empowered Fitness & Recovery, LLC by Karlin Soelberg

August 26, 2025

Karlin Soelberg knows first-hand the challenges of maintaining health amidst a demanding career. She envisioned a facility that empowered people to achieve optimal health and vitality, leading her to establish Empowered Fitness & Recovery, LLC, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Her holistic approach sets a path for success by focusing on three strategic pillars -- fitness, nutrition, and accountability -- while ensuring consistent support. Read More

Good Manners Dog Training, Asia Poe

January 14, 2025

Chicago leads the nation for the highest density of dogs in the U.S., averaging 1,037 dogs per square kilometer. With so many dogs sharing the bustling urban space, well-mannered behavior is essential for a harmonious environment. Asia Poe opened Good Manners Dog Training to address this need in the northwest suburbs, focusing on practical, real-world training to ensure that dogs develop the skills needed to coexist peacefully with their owners and the community. Read More

Blended Health & Smoothie Bar, April Doremus

January 14, 2025

Making smoothies was April’s culinary trick to blend good nutrition into her children’s treats. Little did she know that she would later blend this home skill with her career skills to create one of the most popular businesses in her hometown of Glenview. Blended Health and Smoothie Bar’s initial launch plan, however, was anything but harmonious. Its planned opening coincided with the onset of the pandemic’s shutdown, meaning April would have to blend all her industry experience, business acumen, creativity and determination to redesign her business to maintain the perfect harmony of safety, service and community while blending delicious, healthy products. Read More

LUMI Studio + Shoppe by Molly Kranovich

January 13, 2025

If you’re feeling stressed, you’re not alone. The American Psychological Association found that 76% of adults recently surveyed reported suffering health impacts due to stress and 27% said they’re often so stressed they can’t function. The American Heart Association warns that chronic stress can affect mental and physical health, including anxiety, depression, concentration problems, heart disease, stroke and more. Read More