Chocolate Y Churros & Coaching
Adding in our lives a little insecurity, then add in some coaching, and Chocolate Y Churros.
Work Our Network has grown to include a diverse mix of owners, professionals, entrepreneurs, friends, coaches, and many other wonderful individuals who bring their unique talents and perspectives to the table. As the event began, our gracious host Vince, the proud owner of Chocolate Y Churros, generously allowed us to reserve a batch of tables in his charming restaurant specifically for our gathering. Later, I learned that he had never been asked before to reserve space for his customers, which struck a deep chord in my heart.
Just imagine being a restaurant owner who is only regarded as a casual hangout spot rather than a valued community hub—how disheartening that must be. Is that considered growth? I can only hope that we were able to support him and his family by purchasing enough delicious products from his menu to make a positive impact.
Later on, Vince discovered that we were all local business professionals and that our own families lived just a short five minutes away. He expressed genuine excitement, thinking that perhaps this gamble, in his mind, would ultimately pay off by bringing in more business. Work Our Network has a clear goal: to provide local businesses with ample opportunities to showcase their offerings and shine, and we wholeheartedly believe they will. Supporting our local economy is a prime focus for Work Our Network, especially considering the impressive local count of 8,039 businesses recorded in 2021.
Local Algonquin business serving treats and drinks for every taste.
Main event hitting its stride as our main speaker, the incredibly inspiring Tasha O, skillfully guided our engaging conversation with invaluable critical insights drawn from her unique perspective as both a performance coach and a healing coach. The enlightening tour of sharing deeply personal and vulnerable stories among various business professionals beautifully unveiled numerous secrets that helped forge an unbreakable bond within our close-knit twelve-person cadre. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and connection, making each revelation feel all the more impactful.
Imagine being invited to a lively group that you really know very little about and sharing that you are “the little chocolate girl” in that gathering. She navigates that presence with such grace and skill, like a seasoned professional, effortlessly portraying confidence in every interaction. During this time, she generously shares her own personal journey and experiences, making it a truly uplifting occasion. She’s simply amazing.
Now, let’s take a moment, Work Our Network style, to delve into the fascinating group dynamics and the collaborative work we engaged in while savoring our lattes and coffees. Tasha’s masterful storytelling truly helped us unearth some deeper, often hidden roadblocks—challenges that needed to be confronted and dismantled. It's much like breaking a persistent habit. As successful professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs, we all inevitably encounter various barriers in our paths. These barriers, often invisible yet powerful, can significantly hold us back from fully realizing our goals and dreams. Each professional experiences their own unique levels of success and happiness, which can look different for every individual. Tasha illuminated for us that developing effective strategies is just as vital as the process of breaking down these barriers. During our engaging discussions, we explored several key tactics:
Cultivate a leadership approach that flows from wholeness, not just hustle.
Activate resilience that sustains success, not just fuels survival.
Recognized the hidden beliefs and habits keeping you stuck.
High-performing leaders often face their own set of struggles, just like everyone else. At Work Our Network, we thoughtfully incorporate dedicated time during each meeting for participants to openly express a downside or challenge they are currently experiencing. It's essential to recognize that we all encounter difficulties in our lives.
A recent reading that has resonated with many, titled Driven to Distraction, authored by Edward Hallowell and John Ratey, highlights an insightful point: “but what’s to gain in all the blame,” which suggests that there's a productive pathway to addressing and solving the internal struggles we confront.
Struggling is an inevitable part of life, and it’s important to remember that we are inherently designed to overcome those struggles. Tasha reflects this very sentiment in her book, Mustering The Strength To Fight, especially in Round 5 (Chapter 5) - Fighting to Write - where she poignantly states, “Now begins the moment of my transparency to you,” underscoring the importance of sharing our challenges, and that “we don’t get to choose our battles”. So if we can’t choose our battles then let us use our whole being to confront them.
You would think that would be enought for a 90 minute session. Nope, not for Work Our Network. THe round table stuyle of identification, sharing, suggestion is the model scope for business in our back yards.
Chocolate Y Churros - 2533 W. Algonquin, Algonquin, IL
The following discussions ranged from small, seemingly insignificant topics to larger, more complex issues, and from personal anecdotes to collateral experiences, all while a sense of genuine caring shined brightly throughout the interactions. The participants—no, rather, the members—courageously ventured beyond those previously estranged comfort zones.
The pride they felt afterward was evident, as the discussions progressed and continued for almost 60 minutes after the official event had come to a close. There were hands shaking in warm exchanges, heartfelt condolences offered to address the barriers that had surfaced, and all of these elements combined felt as satisfying as a well-eaten meal, leaving everyone with a sense of fulfillment.
Even as I write this, I’m proud to have participated and look forward to the next event!
If you are interested in attending, reachout to Kat Mendez, Jason Kanak, Bradley Sesko, or Marcus LaPointe. Really any member can lead you to Work Our Network.
