Microchip Shortage & Holiday Shopping

My friends and family constantly hear me preach about the importance of stepping away from the noise and technology into nature’s healing arms. In recognition of National Entrepreneur’s Day (11/16) I’ll share one of my top three reasons why I’m a strong believer in unplugging regularly. Curious about the other two reasons? Keep reading our newsletters and I’ll share them with you.

Taking over Chat Tech was very exciting for my 18-year-old self, even though it should have been frightening. Having no experience running a business, my answer to everything was: work hard. I was a one man show for 7 days a week from 8am to 7pm, and this went on for at least 6 years. I made small steps of progress but was never able to take a giant leap forward until one summer evening. Through friends, I heard about a trail along Skokie Lagoons. I thought it would be a cool opportunity on two fronts: I could test the lifespan of my MP3 player’s battery, as well as check out the area for a future romantic date. Once I got there and walked a few steps, my plans changed. I turned off the music and tried being present. I let thoughts in my head work themselves out and gave all of them a voice when they asked. My breathing slowed, and everything in my mind that needed fixing was no longer weighing on me. On the drive back home, among a couple other important life decisions, I concluded it was time to hire help. 

As entrepreneurs, we get lost working in our business. As ordinary people, we get lost fighting the same fights. I often find myself again by stepping away into nature, and I hope you can do the same. Life is hard, especially when we never learn to let go. 

Happy Entrepreneurs Day to you, even if you don’t own a business. You are still your own boss.

Cheers,

– Burak Sarac, Team Lead

Microchip Shortage & Holiday Shopping

If you have tech items on your holiday shopping list, you’ll want to start looking now. The microchip shortage has already started to impact the pricing of tech items, but it could soon start to impact their availability as well. Read here for more information.

Sadie Hawkins Day

The legend that we’ve been fed about Sadie Hawkins Day is that it’s supposed to make girls and women feel a sense of empowerment. Unfortunately, that is far from the truth. Understanding that Sadie Hawkins was a craze during a very different time in history helps to put its popularity into perspective, at least a little bit. But now, 76 years later, you don’t need a Women’s Studies degree to know that the sexist foundation on which it’s based is outdated. Read up on this day’s problematic history here.  

Are the 3rd Generation AirPods Worth It?

Apple has released the third generation of its iconic Air Pods, but how different are they from their predecessors? At surface level, they have a shorter stem and new force touch controls. There are also a few beneath-the-surface updates to check out. Click here to learn more.

Local Restaurant Spotlight: Moonbowls

Address: 
Multiple Locations (see here)

Cuisine: Korean-Inspired Bowls
Special Notes: Vegan, Gluten Free, Eco Conscious 

Moonbowls takes a new approach to Korean cuisine, focusing on vegan alternatives of Korean classics. From their cauliflower wings to Impossible Beef Bulgogi, they have lots to offer. They even serve gluten-free & vegan pot stickers! We all cleaned our plates and were thoroughly impressed by the meal.