In this episode, I’m chatting with the folks at ScaleWell, a company based in Chicago that provides up and coming businesses with a crowdsourced community funded grant and a board of trustees with experience and expertise.

If you can’t see the video, please click here. The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “Shift Your Gears” from local Chicago band Webelos.

- ScaleWell is a crowdsourced community funded grant for entrepreneurs created to help companies move forward and grow.
- ScaleWell consists of a $1,000 grant and connecting the company with the network of ScaleWell trustees.
- The only restriction is that companies are looking to build a business and have something to sell.
- At the end of a ScaleWell session, the winning company receives a $1000 grant
- The trustees in ScaleWell span a range of experience levels and areas of expertise.

In this episode, I’m chatting with the folks at Kartemquin Films, a documentary production company in Chicago that has been producing socially relevant documentary films for 44 years.

If you can’t see the video, please click here. The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “Free Now” from local Chicago band Marcella.

44 years of socially relevant documentary films

Kartemquin produces a wide range of films about subjects ranging from stem cell research to genetic testing to typography to gangs and society. Here are some highlights from our interview:

• Kartemquin was founded by three University of Chicago students who were interested in cinematic social inquiry. They thought if you could reflect society back onto itself, you could create social change.
• Their most famous film is Hoop Dreams.
• Creating a documentary film can often be a lonely process, so Kartemquin specializes in creating a collaborative environment.
• Kartemquin films typically run the festival circuit, followed by a national broadcast (sometimes international) and then a DVD and/or digital release.
• There’s not much money right now in digital distribution, especially for documentaries, so everybody is trying to figure out what the new income model will be.
• Kartemquin is currently working on a new documentary called “The Interrupters” about a group of ex-gang members who are part of a group called CeaseFire whose mission is to break up violence in Chicago.
• Documentary filmmakers never know where the story is going to go. They have a basic idea in mind at the beginning, but the story evolves as the film is made.
• When films are ready to be distributed, reviews in major publications are still important. But filmmakers are increasingly looking to reach the communities of people they think the film relates to most.

In this episode, I’m chatting about e-learning with the folks at NogginLabs, a Chicago based company that develops innovative e-learning software for companies ranging from banks to fast food restaurants to therapist practices.

If you can’t see the video, please click here.  The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “Fess Up, Face Down” from local Chicago band Blane Fonda.

The ins and outs of e-learning

NogginLabs builds e-learning software applications for that the learner takes at a computer.  Here are some highlights from our chat about e-learning and being creative:

• NogginLabs has always had a very strong focus on hiring creative writers, rather than technical writers.  This allows them to create well rounded, realistic characters and storylines within their e-learning software.
• When NogginLabs first started as a business, co-owners Traci and Brian kept their client base diverse to ensure a steady income stream.  What started as a way to protect the company has turned into a critical part of what makes the company and it’s employees creative and well rounded.
• The folks at NogginLabs are great at creating real life based training that is unique compared to the other products in the e-learning space today.
• Everybody at NogginLabs is encouraged to be creative, leading to a more inspiring and creative workplace.  Most have their own creative endeavours outside work, like improv and writing.
• Employees at NogginLabs are encouraged to “make it cool”.
• The little things are very important.  Sound effects and background music aren’t necessarily required for e-learning products but they add greatly to the overall user experience.

The full live interview

This episode was also broadcast live on Beyond The Pedway LIVE! Check out the entire unedited interview below:

In this episode, I’m chatting with the folks of Fifth House Ensemble, a unique ensemble of musicians based in Chicago that strives to tell stories with music and bring chamber music to nontraditional avenues.

If you can’t see the video, please click here. The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “The Sweetest Talk” from local Chicago musician IJ Quinn.

Fifth House Ensemble is currently producing a show in Chicago called “Black Violet“, which is an “unprecendented experience in music, art and narrative”, featuring a graphic novel set to classical music.

In this interview, I’m chatting with Theresa Carter of The Local Tourist, a website that provides entertainment, dining, nightlife, restaurants, and other information about Chicago to those living in the city and those looking to visit.

If you can’t see the video, please click here. The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “TSR” from local Chicago band Echo Son.

Theresa started the site after moving to Chicago herself and not knowing where any restaurants or bars or theaters or anything was. The Local Tourist began as a business directory and eventually evolved into a destination site for Chicagoans looking to find what was going on in town, as well as people visting Chicago looking for the best things to do.

Theresa and I also chat about what it takes to start your own business and what skills are most important when doing so.

This episode was a Beyond The Pedway LIVE episode, so the full unedited interview is embedded below.

In this episode, I’m chatting with Jim Olen, owner of Rhythm Cafe, a full service music production company in Chicago.

If you can’t see the video, please click here. The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “Me and My Joe” from local Chicago artist Ruby Yo!

This is Jim’s sweet arcade game with over 2700 games!

With my Gorillapod, this chair instantly became a dolly to create some really smooth shots with.

2700 arcade games, a big HD TV, and a bar? What more do you need in a recording studio??

This is the lounge area at Rhythm Cafe, quite comfy and relaxing.

In this episode, I’m chatting with Sarah Evans of Sevans Strategy , a Chicago-based public relations and new media consultancy.

If you can’t see the video, please click here. The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “Until We Dream” from local Chicago artist John Farrell.

Sarah mentions two great books during our chat – The Devil in the White City and Good to Great (Amazon affiliate links). I’ve read both these books and they’re must haves!

• The Devil in the White City – This book tells the tale of the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago through the eyes of one of the architects and a serial killer. It’s great if you’re from Chicago, still great even if you’re not!
• Good to Great – A must read book if you’re looking to start your own business. This book takes a look at real examples of what made some companies stay good and others become great.

This interview with Sarah was also streamed live as a part of Beyond The Pedway LIVE! The full unedited interview is embedded below:

In this episode, I’m chatting with the folks at Zacuto, a company in Chicago that produces professional camera accessories and rentals professional camera packages for the video and photography industries.

If you can’t see the video, please click here.

During the episode, Steve Weiss, co-owner of Zacuto, mentions the web series Zacuto produces. The first show is called FilmFellas and is a roundtable discussion with film industry insiders about all things filmmaking. The other show is called Critics and features Steve with DP Philip Bloom browsing videos on Vimeo and critiquing them. Be sure to check out both of the shows, they’re great!

The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “Streetwalker” from local Chicago artist Gidgets Ga Ga.

To get some sweet discount codes for GoDaddy and Angie’s List , visit the GoDaddy and Angie’s List discount pages at BeyondThePedway.com or check out the Beyond The Pedway Mevio Offers page.

In this episode, I’m chatting with Mike Samson and Ross Kimbarovsky from crowdSPRING, a Chicago based website dedicated to being a global marketplace for crowdsourced creative services. We chat about what crowdsourcing is and how the model applies to various industries.

The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “Don’t Know How” from local Chicago artist Jane Thatcher.

For all the latest episodes, be sure to check out http://www.BeyondThePedway.com, the Beyond The Pedway show page on Mevio, or Beyond The Pedway on ChicagoNow.

To get discount codes for GoDaddy and Angie’s List , visit the GoDaddy and Angie’s List discount pages at BeyondThePedway.com or check out the Beyond The Pedway Mevio Offers page.

This is a shot of the office of crowdSPRING.

In this episode, I’m chatting with Foiled Cupcakes, a company in Chicago that sells cupcakes exclusively through their website and is dedicated to personal delivery and service. You can order a dozen delicious cupcakes and have them personally delivered anywhere in Chicagoland. And when I say delicious, I mean it!

If you can’t see the video, please click here.

I had the opportunity to chat with Mari (owner of Foiled Cupcakes) at the kitchen they bake at, so I had plenty of opportunities to use my Gorillapod on various sinks, rolling carts, storage doors, etc. Check out the pics below for some of the Gorillapod setups I created.

The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “To The Heart Of It” from local Chicago artist Jess Godwin.

For all the latest episodes, be sure to check out http://www.BeyondThePedway.com, the Beyond The Pedway show page on Mevio, or Beyond The Pedway on ChicagoNow.

To get discount codes for GoDaddy and Angie’s List , visit the GoDaddy and Angie’s List discount pages at BeyondThePedway.com or check out the Beyond The Pedway Mevio Offers page .