Electric bike start-up cruises on sustainable energy

John LeStarge

John LeStarge says his two-wheelers can beat public buses on crowded city streets. Sporting batteries that propel them at speeds up to 20 mph, the electric bikes also surpass other forms of transportation on cost-efficiency, traveling 15 miles on just a nickel of electricity, said LeStarge, owner of Chicago Electric Bicycles LLC. The company began [...]

By: Ann Meyer on July 29, 2010.
Written on July 29, 2010 | Posted in Archive,Manufacturing,Technology | 2 comments

Recession Buster: Company radiates new sales

Julia Billen

With a “no layoffs” pledge to employees, Julia Billen needed new sales to prop up her heating business.

By: Ann Meyer on July 22, 2010.
Written on July 22, 2010 | Posted in Archive,Economy,Management,Women | 1 comment

Entrepreneurs team up to spur local sales, jobs

3rd Coast Skinny Dip

Elster started Crop To Cup coffee to help support family farmers in Uganda, while Heins’ Bean & Body makes health-conscious coffee and tea beverages sold in cans. Both are hoping to jump on the locally produced food bandwagon to get products made by small Chicago-based companies noticed by corporate customers.

By: Ann Meyer on July 22, 2010.
Written on July 22, 2010 | Posted in Archive,Economy | No comment