Part of a Series: Meet a team of financial planners whose retirement planning process helps clients to better prepare for the next steps. ...

Your key message is an important identifier of your business and a hook for customers. Sue Dobbe-Leahy, of Dobbe Marketing in Crystal Lake, provides examples of top-notch messages and suggestions for how to craft a winner. ...

Quality ladies’ undergarments are just the start at this homegrown Crystal Lake business, where customer service and quality products are the means to providing something that’s just the right fit – literally. Kathleen Basista knows how a well-fitted bra can make all the difference in how a woman feels. Opening her own lingerie boutique in downtown Crystal Lake turned out ...

Make holiday decorating a joyful experience, with a little help from the design experts. Discover how carefully placed lighting, colors and decorations can make all the difference. ...

Check out these unusual and inventive stores around our area. ...

Why settle for the mall when our region has so many great shops? Ditch the road traffic and instead experience a day on the rails, stopping in at several downtown shopping districts along the Metra lines. ...

The past year brought plenty of good economic news, and small business owners are feeling upbeat. Here, local leaders share thoughts about the challenges and opportunities ahead. ...

Take hope in new technologies, treatments and surgeries that are catching cancer earlier and increasing the odds of survival for those diagnosed with this terrible disease. ...

The Aurora Festival of Lights is back, with more than 200 displays of holiday lights. See what's in store for this year's event, one of the region's largest outdoor displays. ...

Before you rush into a rebranding strategy, first consider how your customers view your business. Sue Dobbe, of Dobbe Marketing, reflects on one brand update gone horribly wrong. ...