In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going.

On this week’s episode of the Chicago Techies Podcast, we meet Haydée Marino, Co-founder and CEO of ezbot AI. ezbot AI helps businesses deliver personalized digital experiences that boost conversions automatically and at scale. Haydée shares how the company came to life, the team’s decision to bootstrap with support from family and friends, and the strategic role of local resources in Chicago and their hopes for the future.

Throughout the episode, Haydée’s journey shines as a testament to resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of forging one’s own path. We explore the challenges and strategies of launching a startup as a first-time founder, including navigating gender biases in male-dominated environments and creating an inclusive space through her leadership.

Haydée also discusses the value of education, like her MBA, in building confidence and credibility as a business leader.

Connect with Haydée:

Haydée Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haydeemarino/

ezbot ai’s Website: https://www.ezbot.ai/

ezbot ai’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ezbot-ai/

Haydée’s email: haydee@ezbot.ai

Connect with Chicago Techies Podcast:

Website: https://chicagotechiespodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicago-techies-podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagotechies

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going.

Tune in to the Chicago Techies Podcast as we sit down with Al Lagunas, founder and CEO of Levee. Al shares his journey from working at Amazon to launching a startup that’s transforming the hospitality industry with innovative tech. Along with his co-founder Guillermo, Al brings a personal connection to the work—both are first-generation Mexican-Americans who grew up in Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods. Their mission is clear: empower hotel housekeepers and maintenance teams with AI-powered vision and voice tools that make managing tasks easier, faster, and less tied to a desk.

In this episode, we dive into the realities of entrepreneurship, the pressure to show quick results, the grind of building from the ground up, and the importance of hard work, networking, and mentorship. We talk about finding the right balance between building a strong business foundation and connecting with investors, as well as the challenges of raising capital without traditional credentials. The conversation also looks ahead to the future of Levee, exploring plans to expand from their room inspection tool into HR and procurement solutions, all driven by a mission to uplift frontline and underserved workers with technology that makes a lasting impact.

Connect with Al:

Als Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allagunas/

Levee’s Website: https://www.levee.biz/

Levee’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/levee-labs-inc/

Connect with Chicago Techies Podcast:

Website: https://chicagotechiespodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicago-techies-podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagotechies

Connect with Ceci:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbenitez87/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbenitez_87

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Nisha Kishore, the visionary founder and CEO of FitKind, a holistic fitness app reshaping the future of fitness through a marketplace of trauma-aware coaches, a growing library of inclusive workouts, and a supportive community.

Nisha reflects on her personal journey as a queer woman of color in the fitness industry and how these experiences fueled her passion for creating a more inclusive, identity-affirming, and trauma-aware approach to wellness. She speaks candidly about the challenges underestimated founders often face, the persistent biases within the startup ecosystem, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

From community-driven problem-solving to creative team-building under financial constraints, this episode also shines a light on what it means to build in Chicago and how the city’s community has played a vital role in FitKind’s evolution.

Connect with Nisha:

Nisha’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishakishore/

Nisha’s Website: https://www.nishakishore.com/

Nisha’s Substack: https://nishakishore.substack.com

Nisha’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nishakishore_creator/

Connect with FitKind:

FitKind’s Website: https://www.joinfitkind.com/

FitKind’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinfitkind/

Connect with Chicago Techies Podcast:

Website: https://chicagotechiespodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicago-techies-podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagotechies

Connect with Ceci:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbenitez87/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbenitez_87

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Manuela Zonenstein, Founder and CEO of Kadeya, the world’s first closed-loop beverage system and the only packaged solution that eliminates waste at a cost equal to or lower than single-use alternatives.

We dive into how Manuela’s multilingual, bicultural background helped shape Kadeya’s distinct identity, and why embracing ecological constraints can spark innovative, market-defining business models. By combining reusability with cost, quality, and convenience, Kadeya challenges industry norms and creates a category of its own.

Manuela also opens up about her founder journey from securing funding to navigating Chicago’s cautious yet supportive startup ecosystem. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or simply curious about sustainable innovation, this episode offers actionable insights on spotting everyday problems and transforming them into thriving ventures.

Connect with Manuela:

Manuela’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuelasweb/

Kadeya’s Website: https://www.kadeya.com/

Kadeya’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kdy

Kadeya’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kadeya.club/

Connect with Chicago Techies Podcast:

Website: https://chicagotechiespodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicago-techies-podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagotechies

Connect with Ceci:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbenitez87/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbenitez_87

Episode Title: Episode 48 - Morgan Abraham - Co-Founder of Smoodi

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going.

This week’s guest is Morgan Abraham, co-founder of Smoodi, an innovative, self-serve smoothie store in a box that's transforming the healthy beverage industry. Morgan shares insights into the startup journey, including navigating complex funding rounds and making key strategic decisions that shape a unique business model. He also discusses Smoodi's ambitious approach to building everything in-house, from software and hardware to supply chain operations, highlighting both the challenges and rewards of this integrated strategy.

As Smoodi expands its product line and footprint across new markets, Morgan recently relocated to Chicago to spearhead growth in the region. He shares why Chicago felt like the right place to grow next not just for its business potential, but because of the community of builders, doers, and big thinkers who make this city feel like home. With several units already operating in the suburbs, launching Smoodi’s first machine in the city marks a meaningful milestone in their urban expansion journey.

Connect with Morgan:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-abraham-a8a8b71b/

Smoothie Website: https://www.getsmoodi.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smoodi/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getsmoodi/

Connect with Chicago Techies Podcast:

Website: https://chicagotechiespodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicago-techies-podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagotechies

Connect with Ceci:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbenitez87/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbenitez_87

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going.

Visionary entrepreneur Omar Hernandez takes us through his journey from McAllen, Texas to Chicago, where he launched ONEBIT, an AI-powered financial management app designed to uplift small business owners and help manage their cash flow by providing data-driven insights from their sales and expenses in one mobile-friendly platform. Omar shares his personal inspiration drawn from the struggles of local businesses in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, leading to the creation of a tool that empowers entrepreneurs to manage cash flow efficiently, optimize sales, and reduce operational costs.

In this episode, Omar shares invaluable insights on startup success, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and diversity. Get insights into the challenges of pivoting from ambitious ideas to focused solutions that address real customer needs and their ambitious plans to expand into the Latin American market.

Connect with Omar:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omarhernandez27/

ONEBIT Website: https://www.onebitapp.com/

ONEBIT Insta: https://www.instagram.com/onebit_inc/

ONEBIT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnebitInc

Connect with Chicago Techies Podcast:

Website: https://chicagotechiespodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicago-techies-podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagotechies

Connect with Ceci:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbenitez87/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbenitez_87

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going.

Join us as we explore the remarkable journey of Megan Doyle, the founder of Partum Health, whose personal journey with how her brother's health challenges and her own experiences as a mother illuminated the complexities and gaps in the healthcare system, particularly in maternal support. Our conversation highlights how Partum Health bridges the traditional gaps in maternal care. From birth and postpartum doula care to lactation and behavioral health support, Partum Health is tackling the alarming statistics of maternal mortality and racial disparities.

As Partum Health sets its sights on the future, Meghan candidly discusses the challenges of business growth and the delicate balance between personalizing customer experiences and building a sustainable model. She highlights the importance of staying mission-driven and the role of feedback in shaping the company's trajectory.

Connect with Meghan:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanod/

Partum Health Website: https://www.partumhealth.com/

Partum Health Email: hello@partumhealth.com

Connect with Chicago Techies Podcast:

Website: https://chicagotechiespodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicago-techies-podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagotechies

Connect with Ceci:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbenitez87/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbenitez_87

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Craig Silver, CEO and co-founder of Sous, the platform connecting people with personal chefs for in-home cooking experiences.

Craig shares his entrepreneurial journey, from early ambitions to launching Sous, offering honest insights into startup growth strategies. We explore the importance of engaging directly with customers, building and iterating quickly (even when things aren’t perfect), and navigating the challenges of securing funding. Craig also opens up about the emotional highs and lows that come with founding and growing a company.

Connect with Craig:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigasilver/

Sous Website: https://www.sous.so/

Connect with Chicago Techies Podcast:

Website: https://chicagotechiespodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicago-techies-podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagotechies

Connect with Ceci:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbenitez87/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbenitez_87