Christina Michelle Glover loves being in the middle of people’s celebrations as she photographs priceless family moments. Three years ago, Glover met a wedding photographer who inspired her to start her own business, Christina Michelle Photography. Glover said she’s always been creative and just knew she could take good pictures and enjoy the work. Her husband had just been laid off, she was a stay-at-home-mom and she needed something, she said. “I am so grateful to God for taking me from financial hardship and then placing me in the middle of people’s celebrations," Glover said. "The …

Jodi Heifner-DiVietro, owner of JL Design Group, LLC in Oswego, helps clients realize their taste as she tackles interior design projects of all sizes. Heifner-DiVietro’s projects are diverse. She said her work is split between residential and commercial work. With a health care background, she often works with doctor’s offices but said her true love is children's design. Residential projects include: kitchen and bathroom renovation, color consultations, window treatments and accessorizing. Commercial projects include a bit of everything, Heifner-DiVietro said, from a one-room office to the …

Oswego Cyclery and Running uses knowledge and attention to detail to match each customer to the correct bike and keep Oswego’s bikes performing. Owner Art Black worked in his brother-in-law’s bike business prior to opening the Oswego Cyclery in 2004. Black was riding along the bike path through Oswego when he decided Oswego could use a bike shop. Black said he built his shop around serving families and has grown to serve all types of bike riders. When a customer walks into the shop, Black said he asks them what they are trying to achieve with their purchase. He asks questions and helps the …

Janelle Pitula opened Wags to Whiskers in her hometown to empower pet owners with knowledge and help dogs and cats live healthier, fuller lives. Wags to Whiskers is a full-service pet center that offers natural food products, full service grooming, self-serve bathing, a dog playroom and resources. Pitula’s dog, Tally, had all various health problems. Pitula said when she changed Tally’s diet to more natural foods, her health immediately turned around. “I learned that the difference between natural pet food and commercial pet food was immense and can completely change a pet’s life,” Pitula …

Under one roof, Bogies Indoor Golf Club, Fore Family Fun and Shef Brothers Pizza offer entertainment options for adults and families. Bogies has full-swing golf simulators. Golfers book a tee time and bring their own clubs and ball. They choose from over 60 courses, including world famous courses such as St. Andrews and Pebble Beach. Both the course and surroundings are exactly the same as the real location, said owner Greg Sheffield. “Golfers love it,” Sheffield said. “It’s a good substitute and allows you to avoid the wind and muddy conditions.” The golf simulator is also a good place to …

Rhonda Johnson opened One on One Fitness, Inc. to provide a different atmosphere for individuals to get fit. Her trainers devise exercise programs specific to the individual’s goals and clients work out in a private setting. The first 10 years Johnson worked in the fitness industry, she worked in gyms. “I always saw the same people doing the same things and they were all generally physically fit,” Johnson said. “I realized there was a great need for private training without the gym setting.” Johnson said she opened her private studio in downtown Oswego to eliminate the gym feel and to offer …

Vern Spevak is an accomplished musician with an impressive resume and a family legacy of 200 years of drumming. He has performed with renowned musicians like jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie and Louie Bellson; Motown legend Mary Wilson; and Tonight Show host, Jay Leno. With assistance from his two children, Spevak now focuses on teaching his skills and love for music to the Oswego community. Spevak Percussion Concepts, Inc. specializes in teaching drumming and the percussive arts. Spevak defines percussion instruments as anything struck to produce a musical sound. Examples include: keyboards, …

Last summer, five friends were each motivated to earn money toward the cost of college, but they couldn’t find jobs. In brainstorming, they realized a commonality: they each had some landscaping experience. More importantly, they knew someone in the field who could help them. Oswego Landscaping was born. And although their first summer didn't go off as well as they hoped Jake Masey said they're making a fresh start in 2012. “We learned a lot and this summer we are starting earlier and are more organized and committed," Masey said. John Vann has 28 years experience as a landscape architect and…

Dena Marie Andersen’s habit of burning candles became expensive, so she utilized trial and error to create her own perfect candle. Nine years later, the Oswego woman has sold thousands of them. “It started as a hobby for myself. Then my friends wanted me to make candles for them. Then they referred me to their friends,” Andersen said. “Within three months of making my first candle, I was selling at craft shows. “It’s important to me to offer a good quality product. I based my candles on the best candles in the market,” Andersen said of her product, Country Candles by Dena Marie. Country …

At 5:30 a.m. Friday, Chris McClimans began living her dream. That's when McClimans opened My Sister’s Lil Donut Shoppe at 25 S. Madison St., alongside her sister, Betsy Kammerer, the shop’s manager. “This location is the perfect spot for what I’d envisioned. If I couldn’t open the shop here, I wouldn’t do it. My desire was to be downtown – it has a great history,” McClimans said. “We plan to be part of all downtown events.” McClimans said she’s wanted to open a donut shop for 20 years. “I just like a good donut and I enjoy making them,” she said. McClimans and Kammerer have prior experience …

Angela Flaherty has taught Oswego’s children to dance for more than 15 years. Flaherty’s studio, Dance with Flair, opened at its current downtown location in 2008. Previously, Flaherty worked with Oswego High School’s poms squad and dance club and she taught dance lessons through the Oswegoland Park District from 1993-2004. Beginning June 2005, Flaherty used space at SPOT 4 Kids to teach classes on weekends. Flaherty’s motto is “to provide a place where kids can learn to dance in a relaxed atmosphere.” Her philosophy is, “every dancer has flair.” “I love the little kids’ excitement,” Flaherty…

Chocolates are lining the shelves at every grocery store as Valentine’s Day approaches. Oswego resident, Sally Fleege, is busy creating her own line of chocolates. Chocolates by Sally Jean offers both traditional chocolates and new treats to try. “My chocolates are hand made fresh and in small batches. They will keep for six months and are better than any of those others found in stores,” said Fleege. Fleege said she doesn’t have time to market, so she’s fortunate that word of mouth has resulted in business partnerships. Both Fox Valley Winery and SciTech Cafe sell her chocolates. Fleege is …

Susan Kovalik describes horses as her passion and a part of who she is. She opened Camelot Farm in 1998 to share her life-long passion. Within six months the farm became her full-time job, something Kovalik had never envisioned. In 2003, Camelot Farm moved to its current location: 55 Chippewa Drive. This location includes 18 acres of land, a 200x100 foot indoor arena and can board 55-60 horses, Kovalik said. Camelot Farm offers riding lessons, boarding, schooling shows, horse sales and summer camps. In her riding lessons, Kovalik strives for “quality not quantity” and recommends private …

Maybe Santa only comes once each year, but Marc Noll, owner of Stork 4 Hire, Inc. drives all over the suburbs nearly every day before dawn delivering his whimsical lawn displays. Noll's Oswego business started after he called around requesting a stork to welcome his wife and third child home from the hospital. The first five places didn’t return his call. “I realized there was a need for this and I was looking for an extra job that fit my schedule - something I could do around my full-time job,” said Noll. Nine months later, in December 2008, he had his first sale. “The planning, learning and…

Janis Steel literally turns trash into treasures by up-cycling pop cans into fun, lightweight and colorful jewelry pieces. Pop Can Jewelry pieces include: necklaces, bracelets, earrings, magnets, pins and key chains. Each piece is custom made by the husband-wife team of Janis and John Steel. Their whimsical pieces attract customers ages 8 – 80 and there are pieces for both men and women, said Steel. Steel said her lotus flower necklace is one of the most popular items and sells for $16-20. “It’s really pretty and not obviously made of pop cans. It’s definitely a conversation piece,” said …

Karen Claus started RKC Inspections Radon Testing Service 11 years ago and has tested thousands of homes in the Chicago area, measuring radon levels and determining whether the family living there is at risk. Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas and the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Testing is the only way to know if there is a risk, states Illinois Emergency Management Agency’s Division of Nuclear Safety (IEMA). IEMA provides radon testing results for each zip code. Of the 676 homes tested in Kendall County through 2010, 35 percent tested over the level …

Tony Sidio works from home to solve computer problems – big or small. He is a people person who enjoys technical challenges and strives to provide value-added service to each of his clients. “I’ve always had a knack for figuring things out and was the unofficial go to guy for any computer problem,” said Sidio, whose background includes advertising and sales. He officially started in the computer business in 1994, working in sales for a small computer company where he was able to wear lots of hats and gain technical training. In 2004, the company Sidio worked for was sold. He began Tony Sidio …

The name may make you laugh, but Pooper Scoopers is a meticulously run business with a customer first attitude. The Pooper Scoopers started in 2003 and now cleans approximately 30,000 yards per year in the western suburbs. Owner Kandra Witkowski has always loved animals and said dealing with their poop has never bothered her. As her work hours were cut, she sought out additional work and when she was laid off, there was a seamless transition into full-time work scooping. Witkowski said her business quickly grew and within two years she was working full time in an office running the business …

Brian Caldwell and Scott Twait use their combined 30 years of experience working in the auto industry to advocate and negotiate the best price for their AutoSmart customers. “Eight out of 10 people say their last car buying experience was miserable. We decided there’s a better way,” said Caldwell. The concept for the business was based on their experience working with and in dealerships. “We decided to create a concierge service to represent clients as they purchase a car,” said Caldwell. Caldwell explained that their business model has three main components: A concierge service to mediate …

Intended Naturals natural skin care and home care products are popping up in popular Oswego locations such as Emerson Creek Pottery and Tearoom and The Village Grind. Owner Krista Maier moved to Oswego in August 2010, and her natural products are quickly gaining popularity. “Most of my products have five ingredients or less,” said Maier. “The only part that isn’t 100 percent natural is the scent or flavored oils and they are a minimum of 98 percent natural.  "Our skin is the largest organ in our body and what you put on your skin goes right into the blood stream,” said Maier. “People have so …