More than 65 entrepreneurs gathered in July for the Starved Rock region’s first Startup Social. On Wednesday Sept. 9, they’ll have another chance to connect.
The Fall Startup Social, free and open to founders, small business owners and community partners, runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 9 at The Lone Buffalo in downtown Ottawa.
Organizer Connor Cofoid said the event fills a gap in the region’s entrepreneurial landscape.
“Our region relies heavily on entrepreneurs and small businesses, but the people building those businesses have not always had consistent opportunities to connect with one another,” Cofoid said. “You should not have to go to Chicago or another large city to find a strong entrepreneurial community. We have talented people building meaningful businesses right here, and this event gives them a place to meet, learn from one another and feel part of something larger.”
The July event drew entrepreneurs from Princeton, Mendota, Peru, La SalleLa Salle, Spring Valley, Streator, Ottawa and Utica — a sign of regional demand for cross-community networking.
Wednesday’s event will feature five entrepreneurs sharing their stories:
Sophia Pienta, founder of Sugardemon Specialty Bakery in La Salle, grew her business from a home kitchen to a downtown storefront that opened in 2025.
Stephanie and Sean Arteaga, who have built multiple businesses in downtown Mendota, operate The Coffee Barn, Main Three Market and other local ventures.
Pamela Cronkright, co-founder of Jeremiah Joe Coffee, opened her first downtown Ottawa location more than 20 years ago and has since expanded to Peru and a new Utica location that opened this summer.
Martina Matthews, founder of MissChatGPT101, helps small businesses and professionals use artificial intelligence to advance their work. She works with the Polsky Exchange’s Small Business Development Center.
Cofoid said the Startup Socials aim to build what strong entrepreneurial regions are built on: connections.
The event is presented by Cofoid in partnership with the Ottawa Downtown Association.
