Wow, what a day… Today I was officially inducted onto the Board of Directors for illinoisrestaurants . I started this journey as a board advisor, and stepping into this role feels like a big moment not just for me, but for the small businesses we represent. It was inspiring to see women like Christina from Los Comales and Liz from Gibson’s recognized for their leadership. Representation matters. And yes, I met Governor jbpritzker and yes, I had my business card ready when he asked. 😉 What really stuck with me was being in a room full of people who understand the importance of small businesses. There is so much work ahead of us. New laws are proposed every single day, and being part of the conversation rather than hearing about changes after they are made matters more than ever. I also loved having my right hand person, my sister, by my side. I am incredibly grateful for the leadership and support of Sam and Mary Kay at the Illinois Restaurant Association, who continue to help me ...