Sheridan Road

COCKTAIL: LADY IN RED

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces KOVAL Bourbon Whiskey
1 ounce Twisted Alchemy Pomegranate Juice
0.5 ounce Twisted Alchemy Lemon Juice
3 ounces ginger beer, chilled
Dried lime wheel or rosemary sprig for garnish

METHOD
Fill a glass with ice. Add bourbon, pomegranate juice, and lemon juice. Top with chilled ginger beer and stir gently. Garnish with a dried lime wheel or rosemary sprig for a bold finish.

This recipe is a perfect fit for our Power Women issue as it is a collaboration between two trailblazers in the beverage industry: KOVAL Distillery, founded by Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart, is one of the nation’s largest independent, woman-owned craft distilleries; and Twisted Alchemy, led by female founder and CEO Kim Oster Holstein. Cheers to powerful women shaking things up.

For more information, visit twistedalchemy.com and koval-distillery.com.

EPICUREAN JOURNEYS

Award-winning chef Daniela Soto-Innes joins SAVIENNE, a new global dining club created in collaboration with the James Beard Foundation®.

72 April 24 27, Tuscany With Chef Daniela Soto Innes, Named World's Best Female Chef By The World's 50 Best — April 24 – 27, Tuscany with Chef Soto-Innes, named World’s Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurant

The world of destination dining has a new standard with SAVIENNE. This exclusive members-only club transforms extraordinary locations—think private villas, historic estates, and breathtaking settings across the globe—into stages for unforgettable culinary experiences. In collaboration with the James Beard Foundation®, SAVIENNE curates multi-day journeys where world-class chefs, local talent, and cultural tastemakers come together to craft intimate, immersive experiences.

The roster of talent features Daniela Soto-Innes, one of the most dynamic chefs of her generation. Born in Mexico City and trained in kitchens across the world, Soto-Innes rose quickly in New York City, earning James Beard’s Rising Star Chef of the Year, co-founding the acclaimed ATLA, and in 2019 becoming the youngest chef and first Mexican to be recognized as the World’s Best Female Chef. Now, as she develops her newest project, Rubra, in Punta de Mita, Soto-Innes is also channeling her philosophy that food is as much about joy and connection as it is about flavor into SAVIENNE.

This month, Soto-Innes will headline a SAVIENNE experience in Burgundy, the heart of French wine country. “I can’t stop dreaming about it! In Burgundy, I’ll be cooking alongside some of the region’s most talented chefs. We’ll gather for long, leisurely dinners—coq au vin, beef bourguignon, and more soulful flavors, reimagined through my own lens,” she shares. This coming spring, Soto-Innes will be crafting a culinary experience in the Tuscan hills.

The inaugural lineup of SAVIENNE chefs reads like a who’s who of culinary excellence: Marcus Samuelsson, Marc Forgione, Anita Lo, Chintan Pandya, Nina Compton, William Dissen, and many more. Each brings their own perspective, creating experiences that are bold and unscripted.

Club members can look forward to extraordinary destinations around the world. Upcoming journeys include the sun-drenched hills of Provence, the vibrant streets of Valencia, and the colorful markets of Marrakesh. Winter 2025/2026 will bring tropical escapes to the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Panama, and Costa Rica. Dining alongside the poets, musicians, and writers who embody the region’s character, members will be immersed in the local culture in an intimate and unique manner.

“SAVIENNE delivers experiences that echo in your memory—the kind you revisit when recalling what made life feel truly full,” says Stephen Werther, co-founder of SAVIENNE. “A long table set in the courtyard of a sun-washed villa, a glass of wine poured by a vintner whose family has tended the same vines for centuries, a dish dreamed up by two chefs from opposite ends of the world—these are moments you carry with you.”

The club’s leadership team brings decades of expertise in luxury travel, fine dining, wine, and hospitality. Alongside Werther are Johnny Hoang, co-founder of an award-winning hospitality group; Joshua Wesson, acclaimed sommelier and James Beard Award–winner; and Merissa Principe, one of the most sought-after travel curators in the world.

Philanthropy is central to the club’s mission. A portion of membership fees and ticket sales supports the James Beard Foundation’s work to build a vibrant, equitable, and sustainable independent restaurant industry. Each chef also chooses a food-focused nonprofit to benefit from their experience. For example, the Valencia journey will support José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen.

“SAVIENNE brings the magic of the culinary arts to life through beautiful, handcrafted journeys that celebrate culture, place, and the joy of the table,” says Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation. “We’re proud to partner on this endeavor that showcases the excellence of our chefs while honoring the rich traditions that make each destination unique.”

For Soto-Innes, this collaboration is about much more than the food itself. “At SAVIENNE, we get to create spaces where the magic of a meal—the stories, laughter, and connections—becomes a memory that lasts long after the table is cleared,” she reflects. Through these experiences, members don’t just taste her food—they become part of a memorable story.

Splendid Estate Between Umbria And Tuscany (c) Engel & Völkers Assisi Spoleto (46)

For more information, visit savienne.club or follow Soto-Innes @danielasotoinnes.

A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE

Designer Elizabeth Smolcich of Mason & Brass Design Studio creates homes for 21st-century lifestyles.

75 Mason And Brass Henley Hires 15 — Office

75 Mason And Brass Henley Hires 3 — Office

Charm. Character. Curb appeal. Anyone looking for a new home will certainly include these on their wish list. Interior designer and builder Elizabeth Smolcich of Chicago-based Mason & Brass Design Studio also values these attributes. But as a pro, she knows there’s more to good living than crown moldings and hardwood floors. “Function and flow are the essential foundations of any home. They are what make everything make sense.”

One of Smolcich’s latest projects is this traditionally styled home in Glenview, on a dead-end street near where she grew up. “This new build was designed to feel like it had always belonged here,” she explains, “a classic home with timeless charm, starting with a big front porch where you can sip coffee in the morning or unwind with a glass of wine in the evening, waving to neighbors as they pass by.”

Smolcich excels at creating reasonably sized residences that live well above their square footage. “People want more space, but bigger doesn’t always mean better,” she notes. “Most of the houses I build to sell are around 3,500 square feet, and buyers always say they feel much bigger. That’s because I maximize the floor plan, allowing me to include four bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom and a den on the second floor. On the first floor, I design kitchens open to the main living area. I love a formal dining room, but most dining rooms are rarely used, so instead of squeezing one between a home office in the front of the house and the kitchen, I situate the dining area at the back of the house with a view of the yard.”

75 Mason And Brass Henley Hires 30 — Mason & Brass design and build project. Photography by
Sarah Crowley/Design, Construction, Build, and Style by
Mason & Brass

75 Mason And Brass Henley Hires 31 — Mason & Brass design and build project. Photography by
Sarah Crowley/Design, Construction, Build, and Style by
Mason & Brass

Spaces that one might not typically find in a home of this size include the mudroom between the garage and kitchen, and a butler’s pantry with its own oven and dishwasher. The dining area features a built-in sideboard, and the home office just off the foyer is equipped with custom, floor-to-ceiling oak bookcases. Smolcich didn’t neglect the basement, installing blackout shades and low-voltage lighting to set the stage for a home theater and fashioning an amply proportioned wellness room, complete with a sauna. “I don’t cut corners to save money, I look for ROI in function and joy,” states Smolcich. “Heated bathroom floors, foam-insulated roofs, and wallpaper are always worth it. When people are comparing similar new builds, it’s these small, thoughtful details that truly set a home apart.”

Keenly attuned to how people use their homes, Smolcich generally sells hers with the first-floor living spaces fully furnished. “I design the furniture layout before we even send plans to the architect. Every inch is intentional, from how groceries are unloaded to how families gather and grow.” She takes a balanced approach when kitting out these interiors. “The main areas of the home must exude a sense of cohesiveness. I love the dramatic, but a family room, for example, is all about comfort and coziness, so I don’t overdo things there. But I infused drama in the home office, the powder room, and the butler’s pantry. These are spaces where you can go a little deeper and not put off a potential buyer.” She covered the ceiling in the home office with Dutton Plaid wallpaper, equipped the powder room with a substantial oak and marble vanity, and spun a moody aura in the butler’s pantry, combining a steely blue paint treatment with brown suede limestone countertops.

“When we brought this home to market, just like always, the house called out to its perfect owner,” shares Smolcich. “This time, the story was especially touching, a family relocating from California after losing their home in the Pacific Palisades fire. They were drawn to Glenview, the town where one of the owners grew up, and this house welcomed them home. To top it off, after losing all their belongings in the fire, finding out the first-floor furnishings were included in the sale was a relief. We really love what we do, and that good energy passes through to the homebuyer.”

75 Mason And Brass Henley Hires 32 — Butler’s Pantry

75 Mason And Brass Henley Hires 18 — Butler’s Pantry

For more information, visit masonandbrass.com.

A SILVER CELEBRATION

Some love stories are told with words. Others are crafted with sparkle. For Amy and Joseph Molfese, theirs began with both. Newly married and full of ambition, the pair—dare we say a perfect, brilliant diamond-shaped pear—co-founded Bella Cosa Jewelers in 2000.

Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Bella Cosa looks back on silver beginnings that have grown into golden success. What started with Amy, Joseph, and Joseph’s mother Maria, has now blossomed into two thriving locations, dozens of dedicated employees, and a reputation that shines far beyond the greater Chicago area.

The original Willowbrook shop moved in 2007 to the bustling Willowbrook Town Center, and in 2018, a second location opened in Wilmette—each offering complete white-glove service. “Each location has gemologists and goldsmiths supporting a complete jewelry-services approach,” says Amy. “We have an extensive collection of rare gemstones, fine jewelry, and watches, offering a unique luxury jewelry experience.”

But what truly sets Bella Cosa apart? For starters, Joseph isn’t just a jeweler—he’s a gemologist, bench jeweler, and watch expert, with deep knowledge that filters through to the entire staff. “It’s a tremendous advantage over our competition,” Joseph notes. “We excel in all areas of bridal and fine jewelry sales, with a specialty and a deep understanding of luxury fine jewelry.”

Much like a good marriage—and a well-cut diamond—Bella Cosa’s staff have stayed brilliantly bonded to Amy and Joseph for 10 to 20 years. “They are the best co-workers who are fun, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable,” says Amy. “They all care deeply about the work they do every day and are the secret to our business’s success.”

Each store brims with rare gemstones, fine jewelry, and watches, delivering a luxury experience that feels as personal as it does opulent. “Our mission is to give each client a luxury experience,” says Joseph.

The real gems aren’t just in the cases, either—they’re in the moments when clients place their trust in Bella Cosa. And memorable moments abound. One recent client called 11 jewelry stores before speaking to a Bella Cosa consultant. Impressed, he drove an hour and a half to visit in person. After making his purchase, he said simply, “I trust you”—words Joseph calls the ultimate compliment.

Beyond the display cases, Bella Cosa is woven into the fabric of the community. They support dozens of local charities, sponsor events year-round, and serve in local organizations. Joseph is a past board member and current advisor to the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce, while Amy is active in the Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club and the Hinsdale Infant Welfare Society.

With thousands of five-star reviews and plans to open more locations in the future, Bella Cosa remains steadfast in its mission: to give each client a luxury experience rooted in trust, knowledge, and care.

More than anything, Bella Cosa Jewelers isn’t just where you buy jewelry—it’s where you find something extraordinary, guided by people who treat you like family. After all, that’s exactly how it began.

Bella Cosa Jewelers is located in Wilmette at 1149 Wilmette Avenue, 847-251-5000 and in Willowbrook at 7163 South Kingery Highway, 630-455-1234, mybella.com.

LET’S WFH

Home office essentials.

82 1 — CELINE Catchall, Celine Chicago, 312-248-9177

82 2 — CELINE Catchall, Celine Chicago, 312-248-9177

POWER WITH PURPOSE

Velveteen Ventures is transforming the face of venture capital.

Velveteen Ventures is a next-generation venture capital firm with a bold vision: to reshape who gets funded, where capital flows, and how enduring companies are built. Founded in 2024 by serial entrepreneur and investor Betsy Fore, Velveteen is anchored in the belief that transformative ideas come from everywhere—not just the traditional tech hubs on the coasts.

With headquarters on the North Shore and an investment philosophy centered on early-stage startups solving real-world problems, Velveteen Ventures is quickly gaining recognition as a values-driven firm with commercial firepower.

The firm’s name is inspired by the beloved children’s story The Velveteen Rabbit. Fore says, “I named the firm Velveteen because my grandmother had given me a gift as a child—a Velveteen Rabbit—that I believed if I loved enough would become real. This is what founders wake up and do every day; they believe that if they pour enough love, care, and attention into an idea, it can become real. I wanted to let founders know I have walked that path and believe in their vision. It speaks to the fund’s mission: to help developing ideas become ‘real’ through care, capital, and conviction.”

Velveteen’s philosophy is grounded on the understanding that becoming “real” is not about instant virality or hypergrowth at any cost—it’s about staying power, substance, and meaningful impact. The firm prioritizes founders who are deeply committed to the problems they’re solving, and who bring lived experience, cultural relevance, and tenacity to their work.

Intentionally centered in the Midwest, Velveteen is working to uncover overlooked founders and invest in ecosystems rich in talent yet starved for resources. This approach is not only about equity—it’s about opportunity. The firm views untapped markets as green fields for growth and is uniquely positioned to support entrepreneurs in these areas with the capital, connections, and counsel they need to succeed.

Its sector focus includes healthcare, climate, consumer, and community—four verticals that touch people’s everyday lives and offer long-term potential for both impact and returns. Velveteen Ventures also stands out for its unique commitment to Native communities. A portion of the firm’s carry is pledged to Native American tribes, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the venture space. Through this structure, Velveteen is creating a new wealth-building model—one that ties venture outcomes to communities historically excluded from such systems. It’s a reflection of both Fore’s personal journey, whose life has been fundamentally shaped by her upbringing between downstate Illinois and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota, and the firm’s broader ethos: that capital can be a tool for justice, not just profit.

At the helm of Velveteen Ventures is Betsy Fore, a seasoned product founder, inventor, and investor with a track record of building multi-million-dollar companies. The first Native American to raise a venture-backed Series A round, she is no stranger to navigating—and disrupting—systems not targeted at people like her; this informs her commitment to inclusion and systems change. She has been an investor at both XFactor Ventures, backing more than 3 percent of every female-led seed round in the nation, and LongJump, a Chicago-based first-check venture fund, which has backed more than 40 local pre-seed founders to date.

Her work has been recognized globally, from the BBC’s “100 Most Inspiring Women” to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” and Entrepreneur’s “100 Women of Impact.” She was most recently chosen as a Blueprint Capital Advisors Power100 Asset Manager Honoree in Venture Capital. She is also the co-founder of Natives Rising, a nonprofit supporting Indigenous technologists, founders, and students in STEM.

Fore co-founded Tiny Organics, a baby food company focused on shaping the palates of a generation to prefer real, whole vegetables from the very first bites—all three of her children have been raised on Tiny products and love veggies because of it. She previously launched WonderWoof, an early pioneer in pet wearables. Before that, she built Moshi, a best-selling line of toys in the United Kingdom, with founder Michael Acton Smith, co-founder of the meditation app Calm. Her experiences have shaped her belief that systemic change in venture capital must come from within—and that change starts with who’s writing the checks. Her book Built on Purpose is launching next month, on November 11 with HarperCollins Business.

Screenshot — Product from Fore’s company, Tiny Organics

Velveteen’s operational excellence is led by Chief Operating Officer Katherine Stabler, an experienced attorney and private funds executive. Stabler says, “To support the launch of Betsy’s first fund in this capacity has been nothing short of a career dream.” At Velveteen, Stabler oversees the firm’s infrastructure, compliance, and operations, ensuring that its foundation is as solid as the startups it supports. Her expertise has helped enable Velveteen to operate with institutional discipline from Day One—a rarity among first-time funds.

Stabler is also the founding partner of a legal strategy firm purpose-built for private funds, Launch Legal Advisors. Her firm serves fund managers, institutional sponsors, and sophisticated investors who value high-quality legal support—offering strategic, commercially-aligned counsel that’s both accessible and tailored to their respective stages of growth. With more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, Stabler has held several senior executive roles with Chicago-based institutional firms. She launched her career at top-tier law firms Ropes & Gray LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP and brings deep expertise in fund formation, compliance, and transaction execution.

Velveteen Ventures invests primarily in Seed and Series A rounds, writing checks between $500,000 and $4 million. The firm’s debut fund, raised with backing from institutional LPs, aims to invest in 15 to 20 early-stage companies over its initial deployment cycle. While still early days, Velveteen’s strategy has attracted strong interest from co-investors, founders, and mission-aligned partners. Its approach, through the leadership of its seasoned operators, means that Velveteen doesn’t just invest in companies, it nurtures them.

One such seasoned operator is Karla Brollier, who leads Velveteen Ventures’ climate vertical and runs the Velveteen West Coast office from Seattle. An Ahtna Athabascan from the Yidateni Na’ Tribe in the Arctic region of Alaska, she saw firsthand the rapid changes in the region’s ecosystem, sparking a lifelong dedication to environmental sustainability and a career in climate economics and financing. Before joining Velveteen, Brollier built and led the Patagonia Home Planet Fund for Yvon Chouinard, worked at the United Nations on Indigenous issues, and was on Al Gore’s executive team for his Climate Reality Project.

Velveteen is also building a robust community around its portfolio, including mentorship, storytelling, and access to distribution and corporate partners in their respective networks. The firm supports founders, offering strategic guidance, coaching, and relationship-building opportunities. It emphasizes inclusive storytelling as a growth lever—helping founders clarify their voice, amplify their impact, and build brands that matter.

As Velveteen Ventures grows, it is redefining what it means to be a venture capital firm in the 2020s and beyond. It is betting on the underestimated, investing in places others overlook, and pushing venture capital to live up to its promise: funding the future. With a clear sense of purpose and a deep bench of experience, Velveteen is poised not only to participate in the next wave of innovation—but to lead it.

84 Velveteen Ventures Co Founders Katherine Stabler And Betsy Fore. Fore Wearing Balmain, Stabler Wearing Carolina Herrera, Neiman Marcus Northbrook — Velveteen Ventures’ Katherine Stabler and Betsy Fore. Stabler wearing Carolina Herrera and Fore wearing Balmain, Neiman Marcus Northbrook

For more information, visit velveteen.vc and betsyfore.com. Fore will be speaking with Suite Escape about her new book, Built on Purpose, at Towne & Oak in Winnetka on November 13 at 9:00 a.m., lfsuite-escape.com. Built on Purpose is available at all major retailers.

WHAT’S YOUR INNER WHY?

In this transformative guide Betsy Fore blends clear actionable strategies with powerful manifesting techniques to help you uncover your true purpose and bring it into everyday reality through the art of entrepreneurship.

Fore, a two-time founder and CEO turned investor, offers a fresh, proven approach to building a successful business. In Built on Purpose, she goes beyond practical essentials—prototyping, finding customers, raising capital—to explore the emotional and spiritual journey entrepreneurs must take to uncover their “deep inner why” and bring that vision to life.

At the heart of her method is manifesting: the art and neuroscience of turning ideas into reality. While often overlooked in business, Fore argues that operating at a higher vibrational frequency is not just supportive but essential to long-term success. Harnessed consciously, manifesting fuels extraordinary results and transforms the entrepreneurial journey into one of greater joy and purpose.

Blending hard-hitting strategies with spiritual insight, Fore reveals how anyone—regardless of background, expertise, or resources—can access this powerful force. Drawing on her own experiences and those of other entrepreneurs who have thrived with the Deep Inner Why Method, she demonstrates how aligning purpose with practice can unlock boundless energy, resilience, and success. The result is a paradigm-shifting guide to entrepreneurship that proves vision and spirit are as critical as strategy and skill.