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Women in Entrepreneurship Panel

  • Schreiber Center Room 908 16 E Pearson St Chicago, IL, 60611 USA (map)

Ignite Lab, Next Founders, and Women in Business Present: Women in Entrepreneurship Panel

Are you a woman interested in entrepreneurship? Have you ever wanted to learn how females can succeed in the startup space?

Join us to hear how three women started and grew their own businesses

Melissa Ballate, Blue Daring

Early in her career, Melissa realized that everything that works, in business and life, is a perfect marriage of form and function. It was the inspiration for starting Blue Daring where she serves as their team’s leader and a senior strategist and thought partner to their clients—dedicated to helping them articulate their value and leverage their brands in meaningful ways.

Learn more about Melissa here


Katherine Nguyen, Building Blocks Toy Store

Building Blocks was introduced to Chicago in 1996 by educator-wannabe, play ambassador and retail aficionado Katherine Nguyen. She started her first retail business at age nine, buying candy by bulk and setting up "Kandie's Candies" out of a Tupperware box in her family's apartment in Queens, NYC. Other retail businesses (men's clothing, electronics, gifts) were to follow through college, mainly as a means to earn spending money. After working as a public accountant in the corporate world, Katherine quickly realized that retail was her passion and way to express herself. Growing up, she loved to play schoolteacher, tutor, and play with kids. It was clear that being an entrepreneur and serving families with educational, developmental, play-based products was her real mission in life. Today, Katherine shares all the fun with her 2 kids and they reside in North Center area of Chicago. These two kids certainly don't mind that mom brings work home ... a lot!

Learn more about Katherine here


Catherine Aldana, EAT STRETCH NAP

Catherine Aldana is the Founder of EAT STRETCH NAP™, a boutique wellness company that brings Yoga, Meditation + Mindfulness to the workplace. As a 6+ year Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) and Integrative Ayurvedic Practitioner she inspires people to live a happy, healthy, and meaningful life.

Cat is a Master Aerial Yoga Teacher Trainer of the nationwide chain of AIR® Aerial Fitness studios and a widely sought after wellness consultant and speaker. Her life's purpose is to create complete health and well-being in herself and others through the transformative power of beauty, grace, and ease.

Cat's offerings include yoga retreats, corporate and residential wellness programs, Ayurvedic consultations, group classes, and life coaching.

Learn more about Cat here

This event will take place in Schreiber Center Room 908

Please RSVP here