Thank you for visiting Shop NLE and supporting local entrepreneurs!
Discover and shop the innovative businesses of NextLevel Exchange (NLE) mentees and graduates. Each business represents the passion, creativity, and hard work of small business owners committed to growth and excellence. By supporting these entrepreneurs, you’re not only purchasing unique products and services but also investing in the success of Chicago communities. Explore by industry and find your next favorite business today!
Business Services
LFS Consulting LLC
Paula created LFS Consulting LLC because of two numbers – 180 and 140. This was her blood pressure back in October 2017, and she realized she had to change her work environment, or she would not be here much longer. The source of these numbers – was her leader in her work environment. She then decided that she wanted to focus on creating better leaders. Everything begins and ends with communication, and she is on a mission to change the world – one conversation at a time!
Pihlstrom Consulting Group, LLC
PCG is a future-forward consulting firm helping brands become household names through strategic growth, cultural relevance, and values-driven innovation. Founded by Armetha Pihlstrom, a dynamic Black woman entrepreneur and CEO. PCG is built on the belief that business should be both impactful and intentional. We specialize in developing long-term partnerships and delivering the blueprint for accelerated growth, go-to-market success, and brand elevation.
MECCA Marketing Group Inc
At MECCA Marketing Group Inc., we are all about the experience. Our team have over 20 years of experience in building and supporting software solutions for companies. We design simple, compelling, and functional applications that increase our clients’ bottom line. We do this by listening to you, understanding your target audience, and putting our extensive online knowledge to work on a plan that will improve your business goals and change the way you think about the potential of the internet.
Alicja Events and Models
Alicja Events & Models began organizing events, functions, and fashion shows for companies who needed support and wanted to save time. They combined management skills, original ideas, instructional material, and entertainment to meet their clients' needs. Through their work, they recognized the value of individuals in driving the success of companies.
People Experts LLC
People Experts LLC was founded on two decades of educating and advising organizations on inclusion and collaboration. Our extensive experience in human relations, people, and culture enables us to support our clients effectively. We provide strategic guidance and implement the best tools and resources to foster a thriving, integrative workplace.
Simplify Bizness
Transform how you manage your business with Simplify Bizness. We specialize in delivering comprehensive support services—from bookkeeping and HR to customer care and systems automation—that reduce your workload and enhance operational efficiency. Partner with us to focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
Strategic Packaging Partners
At Strategic Packaging Partners, we believe that every product deserves the perfect packaging. Our story begins with a simple realization: the way you package your products can make or break your business. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping businesses like yours find smart, efficient packaging solutions that not only protect your products but also streamline your operations and save you money.
Workplace Staffing & Search
With over 35 years of experience connecting people and opportunities in the Rockford area, the workplace team are experts in our region’s values, worth, and challenges. This expertise enables us to understand how to attract top talent to the Rockford area. With this thorough approach to the recruitment, assessing, and interviewing processes, we aim to place people with the passion and the experience needed to contribute to the growth and success of each client.
Co-Working
Urban Market Exchange, L3C
Our mission is rooted in revitalizing communities through economic empowerment. By providing affordable access to workshops, tailored studios, and business consulting, we enable creators to expand their market reach. With a focus on sustaining and nurturing Black entrepreneurship, our offerings help transform hobbies into thriving enterprises, fostering a collaborative environment that bridges dreams with marketplace realities.
Lotus Trauma Care , LLC
Inspired by the lotus flower, which thrives in muddy waters yet emerges beautiful and pure, our mission honors the unique divinity and potential for resilience within each individual. Our vision is to impact the social service and healthcare systems positively, making treatment more accessible and improving conditions for both clients and professionals. We provide over 400 therapy appointments annually and have trained over 4700 professionals across social service and healthcare industries.
Riveting Wellness
At our hair restoration center, we are dedicated to providing a truly gratifying and rejuvenating experience, where we enhance your outer beauty while nurturing your inner essence. Our holistic approach combines advanced cranial prosthetics, natural products, and an educational, friendly service that transcends traditional beauty care. We aspire to be pioneers in the realm of beauty and wellness, creating a unique oasis where relaxation and the harmonization of inner and outer beauty converge. Step into our salon, and you’ll discover an immersive experience that promotes the well-being of your mind, body, and soul.
Health & Wellness
The Self-Care Spa & Lounge
Raquel Mixon (She/ her), owner of The Self-Care Spa & Lounge prides herself on providing services around skin health and being an advocate of self-care. While navigating the beauty industry for the last 13 years, she began to implement life balance after facing days of depletion. As a woman of color, Raquel continues to plant seeds to grow her involvement in education, creating a self-care haven, and building partnerships with a network of individuals seeking to build engagement for our peers and youth around wellness and mental health.
MVP Studio and Spa
Since we opened in Summer 2021, we've been transforming the art of self-care into an experience tailored just for you. In the fast pace of life, where stress and responsibilities cloud your well-being, our space offers a tranquil escape. Our doors are open to a realm of relaxation and aesthetic harmony, crafted to enhance your natural beauty and rejuvenate your spirit.
Vitaminis LLC
We’re on a mission to make getting nutritional needs met easy, fun and guilt-free. What we put into our bodies is so critical, and making sure you get the right vitamins and nutrients is so important. We are building a functional food and beverage brand with no added sugar or mystery ingredients, that is always convenient and always tasty.
Hair & Beauty
NobleTechCutz LLC
Our mission is to bring men high-performance grooming products backed by professional expertise and a commitment to excellence. We didn’t start in a boardroom. We started behind the chair—serving clients, mentoring future barbers, and perfecting techniques that actually work. That legacy fuels our mission to deliver grooming products that perform in barbershops and go even further at home. Every balm, oil, and bundle are tested, tweaked, and approved by a master of the craft—because your selfcare should be legendary, not average.
Date Nite Beaute
Our mission is to empower your confidence and mental well-being through hands-on beauty education, botanical-infused products, and transformative experiences that celebrate your unique beauty while nurturing self-love and inner peace. Date Nite Beaute isn't just about selling cosmetics – it's about creating transformative moments where you discover your beauty potential, uplift your inner health via mind and body, while building community connections.
Food & Hospitality
Nicole Jordan Catering
Curating the best parts of life...with food! Nicole Jordan Catering brings distinctive menus, using the freshest ingredients to savor and enjoy! From intimate gatherings and no-fuss prepared meals, to themed events and celebrations, we focus on quality and flavor, cooking meals for your kitchen, event or office place. We bring our expertise to your home or event, giving you the freedom to enjoy top-quality meals without making an effort. Contact us to see what we’ve got to offer.
Los Barriles LLC
Angel and Araceli Nacipucha are the passionate co-owners of Los Barriles Restaurant-Sports Bar. Los Barriles showcases authentic Yucatan cuisine and Ecuadorian dishes. Known for a vibrant atmosphere, where they hope to create a community hub for watching international sports events and enjoying live entertainment. At the heart of their venture is a commitment to family, as they aspire to inspire their children to achieve their own dreams.
Lingua Nigra
Lingua Nigra was launched soon after founder, Alicia Goodwin, graduated F.I.T. The work is inspired by nature, with a focus on ancient talismans, Victorian era work and mourning sentimental jewelry. Made of brass, silver and gold, extra care is given to these works. With nods to everything from markings on beetles to the texture on trees, Lingua Nigra is meant to evoke a timeless feeling that can be worn everyday, because this form of art should be shared by wearing.
Sandwich Goat Seasonings, LLC
Working out of her restaurant in the heart of Chicago, Adreannia Marie’s sandwiches, salads, soups and wraps are delicious, and nourishing - fit for any meal of the day! We are passionate about wholesome fresh meals for strength, vitality, and health. The Sandwich Goat Seasoning became the perfect outlet for our ingenious attempt to transform everyday kitchens into quintessential spaces for making tasty meals. No matter if you are a beginner cook or culinary chef, any and everyone can start to create dishes they enjoy with friends and family using our seasonings.
Art & Music
Audible Edge Music Group, LLC
Rodney Gipson is a Chicago-rooted pianist, guitarist, and composer/producer. Gipson is the CEO of Audible Edge Music, a label that creates and distributes traditional jazz, Neo Soul, and Afrobeats music. His influences include Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, the jazz fusion group Weather Report, as well as the Portuguese fado artist Mariza, and Shona music icon Thomas Mapfumo.
Bri's Dance Place
Our mission is to change lives through dance. We do this through our multi-generational dance studio, where we have classes for all ages, stages, and abilities. Our goal is to create a safe and loving environment that not only creates great dancers, but even better people. Dance is the vehicle we use to teach our families the importance of discipline, confidence, integrity, and perseverance.
Real Estate
Property Blessings
Property Blessings is a real estate investment company dedicated to transforming communities through strategic residential and commercial property ventures. With a deep commitment to innovation, service excellence, and economic growth, we provide tailored real estate solutions that create lasting value for investors, businesses, and families. From due diligence to acquisitions to asset management, our mission is to turn opportunities into thriving investments while fostering stronger, more vibrant communities.
Prosperity Property Services
Whether you need assistance in acquiring properties for your investment portfolio, rehabbing properties, or maintaining them, we have the expertise to get the job done right. We take pride in our ability to provide personalized solutions that exceed our clients’ expectations. With our commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail, we are confident in our ability to help our clients achieve their property investment goals and maintain beautiful and functional outdoor spaces and properties.
Insurance
Zuniga Insurance Agency
I enjoy being a part of the community, and building local relationships is one of the best parts of my job. I know what life is like here in Chicago that you choose your car and your home to fit your lifestyle and your budget. I also know how important it is to do the same when it comes to insurance. I look forward to getting to know you and helping you to find the solutions that meet your needs.
Travel
Abundant Excursion
We specialize in Celebration Groups, Romance Travel, and Destination Weddings, dolloping your journeys with love and togetherness. Passionately weaving personalized itineraries for our clients, we don't just hand over a travel plan but the essence of an enriching journey. With Abundant Excursions, Inc., you'll find life in travel, and that life will be abundantly extraordinary!
Retail
Warm Wick
At Warm Wick, our mission is to bring light, warmth, and peace to every home through our Latin-inspired soy candles. We are committed to crafting sustainable, high-quality products that create a comforting atmosphere and reflect God's love. Rooted in faith and kindness, we aim to bless our community and beyond, spreading joy and serenity to every candle friend we meet.
Personal Services
Making It SewFun
At Making It Sew Fun, our mission is to teach you everything about sewing in a positive and encouraging environment. Students learn how to sew progressively at their own pace. We offer a structured curriculum and workshops that empower the home-sewist with the skills necessary to create well-fitted and professionally constructed garments.
Energy
Welsh Global Energy
At WGE, innovation and inclusivity are crucial to building a more sustainable tomorrow for everyone. Our mission extends beyond energy—through community initiatives, we’re training formerly incarcerated individuals for skilled EV technician roles, empowering them with new opportunities. Our urban agriculture projects also foster healthier communities by promoting food security and sustainable living.