Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Felicia Slaton-Young. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Felicia, thanks for joining us today. Please tell us about starting your own firm and if you’d do anything different knowing what you know now.

Well, I started the Greater Englewood Chamber out of a desire to find more investment clients. See, I’m a financial advisor by trade and I was building my book of business. I had two clients who were millionaires and also Englewood residents. I’d built a solid rapport with them and wanted to see if I could identify more clients like them. So, I began looking to join the local chamber as a way to meet residents and business owners. Participating in a local chamber is a great way to build my network and grow my book of business. In my search for the local chamber of commerce, I learned that Englewood didn’t have a chamber but they did have a local community development corporation (CDC). This organization focuses on real estate development in Englewood. So I met with the leaders of the CDC and they shared their journey and also affirmed that Englewood didn’t have a local chamber. The leaders of the CDC invited me to a private gathering where they introduced me to the founder of the CDC; Eric McLoyd. Eric and I chatted it up for a good bit and we both were in agreement that it was time for the Englewood community to have a chamber of commerce. Well, I didn’t know anything about building one but Eric felt confident that we could do it together if I wanted to move it forward. I agreed and we established in our next meeting on August 1, 2015 that we would create the Englewood Chamber of Commerce. Our biggest challenge is that the Chamber didn’t have any money nor did I know what it would mean to pay for all of the things we needed to start this organization (money, time, knowledge about nonprofits, etc). What I did know was that I would ask those that were already running local chambers. So I met with the director of the Hyde Park Chamber & the Lincoln Park Chamber and asked them a lot of questions about how they are running their chamber. What successes did they have? What was important to them and their members and so on. What I realized was that their chambers have been around for decades, so they could not really guide me in building a chamber from scratch but I stayed on the path because it was important to me as a business owner but also as someone that was an Englewood resident. My advice to anyone starting a business is to stand firm in your decision, even if you are not clear about every single step. And don’t be afraid to ask people for help. I did and now the Englewood Chamber is 10 years strong!

Felicia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

At the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce, our mission is to transform our community into a thriving commercial and retail destination. We do this by advising, developing, and showcasing both new and established businesses, acting as a comprehensive economic development partner.
We offer a range of services to our members, including:
• Networking Opportunities: We host bi-monthly member meetings These are fantastic for connecting businesses with new clients, customers, and colleagues.
• Educational Seminars and Training: We provide programs on everything from financial education and employee management to e-commerce readiness and retail sales. We want our members to have the knowledge they need to succeed.
• Increased Visibility and Credibility: We work hard to promote our members through our social media channels, website, and other promotional tools. We also celebrate grand openings and ribbon cuttings.
• Advocacy: We’re a strong voice for Englewood businesses, advocating on their behalf with local government and keeping them informed about legislative issues.
• Community Involvement: We facilitate crucial connections between businesses, city departments, community leaders, and residents.
• Access to Resources: We provide inside access to networks of advisory professionals—lawyers, financial experts, real estate brokers, and technology providers. We also connect members to capital access programming and business support services.
We’re solving some significant problems for businesses in Englewood. Historically, there’s been a lack of investment and resources in our community. We’re here to bridge that gap by:
• Providing resources to help existing business maintain stability.
• Building vital networks so businesses aren’t operating in isolation.
• Offering guidance on business development and financial management.
• Expanding marketing reach for our members throughout Chicago and beyond.
• Keeping businesses informed about economic growth, workforce development, and key community issues.
• Helping navigate city policies and regulations that can be daunting.
• Addressing the challenge of limited commercial space by working to attract and support development.
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What Sets Us Apart and What I’m Most Proud Of
What really sets the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce apart is our community-driven foundation. We weren’t just established by an outside entity; we were born out of a direct need identified by someone who lives and works here. My personal investment as an Englewood resident and business owner is at the core of everything we do. We’re deeply committed to supporting entrepreneurs in communities that have historically been underserved. We strive to be a “wheelhouse” for businesses, offering support and expertise at every single stage of their development. We help businesses understand financial concepts, make informed decisions, and develop strategies for long-term success.
I am most incredibly proud that the Englewood Chamber is 10 years strong! That’s a huge milestone, especially considering we started with nothing but a shared vision. It’s a testament to the power of perseverance and collaboration.
If there’s one thing I want potential clients, followers, or fans to know about me and the Chamber, it’s this:
• Stand firm in your decisions, even when the path isn’t entirely clear. That’s been my mantra from day one.
• Never be afraid to ask people for help. I did, and it made all the difference in building this organization.
• The Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce is a vital resource for businesses here. We offer extensive opportunities for success, connection, education, and advocacy.
• We are deeply invested in transforming Englewood. Our work is about more than just business; it’s about improving the social and economic environment of our entire community.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Yeah, my biggest pivot was going from managing my financial advisory practice full-time to running the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce full-time. My friend would tell me all the time that I should just focus on the chamber because I was so good at it. The truth is this wasn’t what I saw in my future… I never ran a nonprofit and I couldn’t imagine that I could be successful at it. Well, I have been thus far but I think it’s because I’m not afraid to seek help and ask questions. I’m not afraid to bring on folks that can help me, folks that have done this and done it well. I’m not afraid to do the work—10, 12, or 15-hour days in the beginning. I’ll tell you that it’s been worth it!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think what helped me build my reputation is being honest, having integrity, and being consistent. That’s it! I funded the build-out of the organization. I used a free desk at Teamwork Englewood, then a free office at Teamwork Englewood, and now I rent out two spaces; one is a main office and one is our training space. As on March 2025, we purchase our first commercial space to redevelop to use as our main office, training space, and so much more

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gechamber.com/contactus
• Instagram: @gechamber.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterenglewoodchamber/