In this episode of From Scratch, Gjoko sits down with Allison Ramey, whose career path spans 15 years at Lowe’s, real estate, and now her impactful role at the Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce.
Allison opens up about her passion for people, the importance of adaptability, and the lessons she’s learned through each chapter of her professional life. Her story is a testament to the power of relationships, perseverance, and staying positive in the face of change.
🔥 Real stories. Real people.
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👉 Support the show: https://www.gjdfotography.com/from-scratch-donating-page

Find Allison at: Website: www.homepl8.com Facebook: @AllisonRameyRealtorExpRealty ; @AllisonRamey@PSACC

Alyson Yates, founder of Canini Dog Sitting Inc and Canini Shop, shares her inspiring story of walking away from the corporate grind to build a successful pet care business from scratch. In this episode of From Scratch, she dives into how she grew her business through hard work, community trust, and a love for dogs. Alyson offers insights into entrepreneurship, balancing passion with practicality, and the value of showing up consistently.

📍 Find Alyson Online:
🐾 Website: www.caninidogsitting.com
🛍️ Shop: www.caninishop.com
📱 Facebook: @alysonmichelleyates
📸 Instagram: @alysonsellsplainfieldillinois | @caninidogsitting | @alysonscaninishop

In this moving and honest episode of From Scratch, we sit down with Michaela Gallaher, founder of Gallaher Sourdough, a woman whose story proves that some of life’s most nourishing creations come from the deepest pain.
Michaela opens up about her journey through early family loss, growing up with complex family dynamics, and the grit it took to pay her own way through college. But her strength was tested even more when she gave birth to her daughter—who was born with a serious heart condition. What followed was a whirlwind of doctor visits, emotional upheaval, and an unshakable commitment to keep moving forward.
Through all of this, Michaela found solace in the art of baking. What started as therapy in the kitchen became her calling. Today, Gallaher Sourdough is not just a business—it's a symbol of resilience, healing, and the beautiful things that can rise from broken places.
This episode is about more than bread. It’s about grit, love, motherhood, loss, and the quiet power of rebuilding your life with your own hands.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a mother, or someone walking through hard times—you’ll find something deeply inspiring in Michaela’s story.

Find Michaela on:
Facebook: @gallahersourdough
Instagram: @gallaher.sourdough
Youtube:  ⁨@michaelagallaher4477⁩ 
Hotplate: https://www.hotplate.com/gallahersourdough

In this episode of From Scratch, Gjoko sits down with Taylor, a determined and passionate hairstylist who built Taylor Made Chicago, a salon business rooted in creativity, care, and community. What started as a skill honed out of necessity grew into a full-blown salon that now represents not just beauty—but resilience, hustle, and identity.

Taylor shares how she got started doing hair in her kitchen, learning to master her craft while dreaming of something bigger. She opens up about the challenges of being a woman entrepreneur in a highly competitive and image-driven industry, and how she kept going when things got tough.
You’ll hear about:

• The origin story of Taylor Made Chicago
  
• Building trust with clients and creating a safe space
  
• Turning talent into a sustainable business
  
• Staying consistent even when doubt creeps in
  
• How Chicago shaped her mindset and grind
  

In this episode of From Scratch, we sit down with Tom, a resilient individual who shares his incredible journey from Poland to the U.S. and the obstacles he overcame along the way. From childhood transitions to building a life in a new country, Tom’s story is one of perseverance, grit, and personal growth. If you're someone who appreciates real stories about overcoming odds and starting from zero, this episode is for you.

Find PKS on Facebook and Instagram: PKS Truck and Trailer Repair Shop Address: 2121 Oakland Ave, Crest Hill, IL, United States, Illinois
Phone: (815) 409-7309
Email: pkstruckoffice@gmail.com

In this episode of From Scratch, we sit down with Tonia Koss, a pre-marriage coach based in Plainfield, Illinois, whose journey is anything but ordinary. From growing up in a quiet rural town in Michigan to becoming a teacher, salesperson, minister, and now a relationship coach for engaged couples, Tonia opens up about the life lessons that shaped her calling. She shares the struggles, setbacks, and soul-searching moments that led her to help others build lasting relationships.
Whether you're single, dating, engaged, or simply passionate about personal growth, this episode is filled with authentic wisdom and real-life experience.
🎧 Hear how Tonia’s career path was never linear, but always meaningful.
❤️ Learn why understanding yourself is the key to loving someone else.
📍Discover the small-town values she still holds onto — and how they shaped her coaching today.
🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes from the From Scratch podcast.

Find Tonia on Youtube: @toniakoss or her website preaisle.com

In this premiere episode of From Scratch, we sit down with Denise, the heart and hustle behind Mixed Market Thrift in Oswego, Illinois. Her journey starts in a home with little money and even less direction when it came to education.
Denise never really liked school, and after trying her hand as a nail tech and eventually becoming a nurse, she faced a turning point — one rooted in a deep fear of death and loss. That realization pushed her to leave the nursing world behind.
But Denise was always hustling — throwing garage sales, helping local dog shelters, flipping finds on Facebook Marketplace — until one day it clicked: thrifting could be a business. Now, she owns and runs Mixed Market Thrift, a vibrant secondhand store where every item has a story — and so does she.
📍 Visit her store at: 27 StoneHill Rd, Oswego, IL 60543 🛍️ Check out her website: mixedmarketthrift.com