Illinois Small Business Council
Our Illinois Small Business Council consists of small business owners from various industries across the state. Council members volunteer their time and entrepreneurial expertise at board meetings, public events and in the media to help Small Business Majority identify and address the biggest issues facing small businesses today.
Rachel Bernier-Green
Rachel Bernier-Green is the owner of Laine’s Bake Shop, LLC. She initially started her business using a shared kitchen space, working on the side to get her business off the ground. After a few years of baking part-time, Rachel decided to finally quit her job and start a bake shop full-time with her husband Jaryd. After a few years of working to get over the hump of the start-up world, Rachel and Jaryd launched their brick and mortar business in Chicago’s South Side, an area that means a great deal to them.
Johnathon Bush
Johnathon is a passionate entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience running and managing a business. At the age of 13, Johnathon Bush started his Chicago-based business Not Just Cookies (NJC). As a young entrepreneur and passionate baker, he's focused on providing delicious, quality baked goods the right way. This spirit of “baking hustle” carries on today and is what makes Not Just Cookies Wholesale Bakery a different kind of bakery.
After a bad experience with Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs) almost put him out of business, Jonathan has been working alongside Small Business Majority to advocate for better transparency in lending. Johnathon has been featured in articles in Bloomberg Law, MarketWatch, Wall Street Journal and more, where he's talked about entrepreneurship and his experiences with predatory lending.
Evera Ivy
Evera Ivy of Ivy League Farms LLC works with her family to grow various organic vegetables in Kankakee County. Throughout its time in operation, the farm has grown produce ranging from string beans, okra and watermelon–to eggplant, corn and greens, among others. Additionally, the team has been learning about industrial hemp and growing this versatile crop.
Evera initially became interested in Cannabidiol (CBD, which is a chemical compound found in hemp) and its potential health benefits in 2015. This led her to study hemp, and later grow the hemp plant. Members of the farm team began attending industry seminars, studying the uses and policies that accompany the crop. Evera has hosted and presented at a number of virtual and in-person industry events.
Chrishon Lampley
Chrishon Lampley is a negociant, wine enthusiast and founder of LCS Entertainment, LLC, which features Love Cork Screw wines. Love Cork Screw is a lifestyle brand that launched six varieties in 2013. Since its inception, the LCS brand has been acquired by over 1,800 retailers including Target, Jewel-Osco, Walmart, World Market, Mariano’s, Binny’s, Whole Foods, Miejers, Total Wines and more. Lampley leverages her platform to mentor young women and budding entrepreneurs who can benefit from her lessons and her success. She gives her time and resources greatly to nonprofit organizations through sponsorship and speaking engagements. Lampley has mentored youth through Urban Broadcast Media, Chicago Sky and Polished Pebbles to encourage Chicago’s youth. She is also a member and supporter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Nancy Maxwell
Nancy Maxwell has been a member of the Southern Illinois Community for over twenty years. Nancy has proven herself to be a fierce advocate for our community. She has over 15 years of leadership and supervisory experience. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of Carbondale United, a Social Service Nonprofit Organization building programs for parents and children that provide much needed systemic change for Carbondale residents. She is the Vice President of The Black Chamber of Commerce, Owner and Operator of Print’s R Us. Nancy Also sits on several boards including The State’s Attorney Citizen’s Board, Connect 360, African American Museum of Southern IL, Disparities Elimination Advisory Committee at Washington University and she is on the front lines and boots on the ground. Working with families in the center of recent gun violence in Carbondale, she brings her experience of being as a Deputy Sheriff in Chicago, Illinois, a Police Officer in Mounds, Illinois, a Correctional Officer at the Tri-County Detention Center in Ullin, Illinois, A former Rape Crisis Counselor and Legal Advocate for the Survivor Empowerment Center to the table to create a better Carbondale. A Mother and Grandmother, and a parent who lost a child to gun violence. Nancy works endlessly to create a healthy community for all families offering sound business acumen, creative solutions, with proven, outstanding decision-making skills.
Chastity Mays
Chastity Mays is a Certified Birth Doula and owner of Hathor Doula Services. She has served clients in Southern Illinois, the Missouri Bootheel area, and Paducah, Kentucky. She stands with and advocates for families who are underrepresented and, in many cases, simply not heard at all.
Chastity is the current President of Black Chamber of Commerce of Southern Illinois and serves on the Carbondale Public Library Board. Chastity also sits on the Carbondale Community Cabinet for Children and Youth and the Small Business Development Center Advisory Board for Illinois Small Business Development Center at SIU Carbondale. She is a graduate of SIUC with a Master’s Degree in Workforce Education and Development. Chastity has a passion for educating, advocating for, and uplifting the community.
Lisa Weiss
Lisa Weiss is the founder of Storybeat Studio. As a 3x Emmy Award-winning producer and journalist who worked for Oprah Winfrey and CBS News, Lisa harnesses deep industry knowledge and expertise to help organizations and leaders tell compelling stories. She was named a Forbes Next1000 entrepreneur (December 2021) and a Tory Burch Fellow (2021-2022). Through her 20+ year career, Lisa has created and supervised content viewed and streamed by mass audiences. Her work includes critically-acclaimed shows and features with President Barack Obama, Dr. Maya Angelou, Howard Schultz (Starbucks), John Mackey (Whole Foods), Professor Elie Wiesel, Brené Brown, and many more.
Storybeat Studio's storytelling programs and services provide leaders access to Lisa's unique methods. She offers cohesive content strategies to support personal and business growth. Storybeat Studio combines decades of storytelling expertise along with the latest industry knowledge that will take you and your content to the next level.
