Winning Wednesday Workshop: Michael Roberts of Peoria Downtowners
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Michael has spent his career leading teams across industries and driving measurable business growth. His experience gives him a unique ability to identify what’s holding a business back and help owners create clear, sustainable improvement.
He now works directly with small business owners throughout Central Illinois who want to strengthen their team, improve operations, and increase revenue.
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Be sure to attend the Winning Wednesday Workshop Series at Distillery Labs! Learn from and engage with local experts and leaders!
The in-person session takes place at 201 SW Adams Street and is free and open to the public. We highly encourage registration, yet all are welcome for this workshop.
Winning Wednesday Workshop's brief sessions are designed to work with your lunch break. Feel free to bring a meal with or purchase one from Chef Jeremy Washum's 'Reservations' residency at Cafe Distilled in the Main Lobby. It's the perfect time to learn something interesting, network, and catch a quick bite to eat supporting a local small business. What a treat, all under one roof!
Distillery Labs is grateful to the passionate experts sharing invaluable insights with our region's vibrant community. Thanks for contributing to a City of Innovation.
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Distillery Labs
201 SW Adams St.
Peoria, IL 61602
(Parking may be found at metered street spots on SW Adams and Fulton Streets as well as parking garages on SW Adams and neighboring streets.)
]]>Winning Wednesday Workshop: Cory Pastoriza, Founder & CEO of The P.U.R.E. Plan Initiative
Learn from Pastoriza's expertise in: sales, creating instant rapport, business development, referral generation.
In this workshop expect to dive into the "The DEF of Sales". Everyone talks about the ABCs, but have you ever heard of the DEF of sales? Let's take a deep dive into what comes before "Always be closing".
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Be sure to attend the Winning Wednesday Workshop Series at Distillery Labs! Learn from and engage with local experts. The in-person session takes place at Distillery Labs and is free and open to the public. We highly encourage registration, yet all are welcome for this workshop.
Winning Wednesday Workshop's brief sessions are designed to work with your lunch break. Feel free to bring a meal with or purchase one from Chef Jeremy Washum's 'Reservations' residency at Cafe Distilled in the Main Lobby. It's the perfect time to learn something interesting, network, and catch a quick bite to eat supporting a local small business. What a treat, all under one roof!
Distillery Labs is grateful to the passionate experts sharing invaluable insights with our region's vibrant community. Thanks for contributing to a City of Innovation.
---
Distillery Labs
201 SW Adams St.
Peoria, IL 61602
(Parking may be found at metered street spots on SW Adams and Fulton Streets as well as parking garages on SW Adams and neighboring streets.)
]]>Winning Wednesday Workshop: Dr. Nyrobi Wheeler, Founder/CEO of Robi Resume & Writing Services
Nyrobi is a self-publishing author and content creator who specializes in creating eBooks related to career advice, self-care and how to start a business. She is a Certified Expert Resume Writer, Job Search Coach, and LinkedIn Branding Expert. Wheeler has also Co-Authored several anthologies on hair and workplace discrimination among Black Women.
Workshop: LinkedIn for Entrepreneurs - Turning Profiles into Lead Generators
Audience: Solopreneurs, new business owners, side-hustlers
Core focus:
Key activities:
Takeaway: Participants will receive a sample LinkedIn draft that they can use to create their own business profile
Outcome: A profile that clearly communicates the business value.
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Be sure to attend the Winning Wednesday Workshop Series at Distillery Labs! Learn from and engage with local experts. The in-person session takes place at Distillery Labs and is free and open to the public. We highly encourage registration, yet all are welcome for this workshop.
Winning Wednesday Workshop's brief sessions are designed to work with your lunch break. Feel free to bring a meal with or purchase one from Chef Jeremy Washum's 'Reservations' residency at Cafe Distilled in the Main Lobby. It's the perfect time to learn something interesting, network, and catch a quick bite to eat supporting a local small business. What a treat, all under one roof!
Distillery Labs is grateful to the passionate experts sharing invaluable insights with our region's vibrant community. Thanks for contributing to a City of Innovation.
Distillery Labs
201 SW Adams St.
Peoria, IL 61602
(Parking may be found at metered street spots on SW Adams and Fulton Streets as well as parking garages on SW Adams and neighboring streets.)
]]>Join us for Fail Club with Special Guest Speaker Dr. Cyle Metzger, Founder of Aegis Adaptive!
The in-person meet-up takes place in the Main Lobby of Distillery Labs. Register for this FREE gathering here.
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Metzger's flagship product is the AEGIS ARMOR™, a patent-pending, lightweight wheelchair protector designed to prevent damage to rigid manual wheelchairs during air travel. Inspired by foldable kayak technology, the flagship system is made of the same material as automotive dashboards and designed for durability, water resistance, and portability.
Dr. Cyle Metzger is currently Associate Chair, Assistant Professor of Art History, and founding Director of the Museum Studies Minor in the Art and Design Department at Bradley University. He is co-executive editor of Panorama, the journal of the Association of Historians of American Art. Dr. Metzger has published widely in the field of American art with a specific focus on trans materialisms in 20th Century Post-War art. His scholarship has appeared in American Art, Art Journal, MoMA Magazine, Archives of American Art Journal, Journal of Visual Culture, Transgender Studies Quarterly, and Feminist Studies. His forthcoming book is titled Deep Cuts: Trans Plasticity in 20th Century American Art after World War II (manuscript revisions in progress). He is at work on a second collaborative project with Dr. Jason Weems that addresses the legacy of New Deal policies on the appearance of disability in the last one-hundred years of American art.
Dr. Metzger received his PhD in Art History with a minor in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Stanford University in 2021. He earned an MA in the History of Art from the University of California, Riverside in 2015 and an MFA in interdisciplinary studio art from the Mount Royal School of Art at the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2010. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bennington College in 2008.
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Fail Club: Celebrating Lessons from the Unexpected
On the 3rd Wednesday monthly, Distillery Labs hosts this unique gathering highlighting how every setback paves the way to a greater comeback. We provide an open setting focused on learning from professionals willing to share how their mishaps, unexpected detours, and outright failures have led to valuable new wins.
Speakers offer their insights for the Club speaking/presenting for a bit then taking questions after. There is also time for everyone to share their stories or current challenge for which they're seeking guidance. Complimentary beverages are provided by Distillery Labs, and all are encouraged to hear and share first-hand experiences connecting with others who value resilience and innovation.
Learn: Hear first-hand stories from individuals who turned their setbacks into setups for success.
Network: Connect with a community that values resilience, innovation, and growth.
Grow: Embrace the journey of entrepreneurship and self-development, bumps and all.
***
Distillery Labs
201 SW Adams St.
Peoria, IL 61602
DistilleryLabs.org
(Parking may be found at metered street spots on SW Adams and Fulton Streets as well as parking garages on SW Adams and neighboring streets.)
]]>Winning Wednesday Workshop: ART Inc.'s Nikki Romain, CEO & Co-Founder
Riveting Leadership for Founders — helping entrepreneurs scale with clarity, mission alignment, and embodied confidence.
As a CEO and Co-Founder who grew a grassroots vision into a thriving seven-figure organization, Romain specializes in:
Mission-driven strategic decision-making
Founder identity evolution during growth seasons
Building sustainable leadership systems
Strengthening executive presence and accountability
Leading teams with clarity while navigating fear and uncertainty
Nikki's work blends practical leadership frameworks with reflective tools that help founders move forward boldly, even when they don’t feel fully ready.
It demands identity evolution. In this engaging and practical workshop, CEO and Co-Founder Nikki Romain shares the leadership frameworks and personal insights that helped her grow a grassroots vision into a thriving, mission-driven organization — while navigating fear, growth tension, and the emotional weight of leadership. Designed for founders, entrepreneurs, and small business leaders, this workshop explores:
The Mission Filter: A tool for making bold decisions without losing focus
The Founder Identity Shift: Who you must become at each new level of growth
Scaling impact without carrying everything alone Leading teams with clarity and accountability
Moving forward with confidence, even before you feel ready
Participants will leave with actionable tools, renewed clarity, and a deeper understanding that being riveting isn’t about perfection, it’s about leading while evolving.
ArtIncPeoria.org | NikkiRomain.com
***
Be sure to attend the Winning Wednesday Workshop Series at Distillery Labs! Learn from and engage with community leaders!
The in-person session takes place at 201 SW Adams Street and is free and open to the public. We highly encourage registration, yet all are welcome for this workshop.
Winning Wednesday Workshop's brief sessions are designed to work with your lunch break. Feel free to bring a meal with or purchase one from Chef Jeremy Washum's 'Reservations' residency at Cafe Distilled in the Main Lobby. It's the perfect time to learn something interesting, network, and catch a quick bite to eat supporting a local small business. What a treat, all under one roof!
Distillery Labs is grateful to the passionate experts sharing invaluable insights with our region's vibrant community. Thanks for contributing to a City of Innovation.
---
Distillery Labs
201 SW Adams St.
Peoria, IL 61602
(Parking may be found at metered street spots on SW Adams and Fulton Streets as well as parking garages on SW Adams and neighboring streets.)
]]>Winning Wednesday Workshop: Kurt Norris, Angel Investor - Illini Angels & Central Illinois Angels
Be sure to attend the Winning Wednesday Workshop Series at Distillery Labs! Learn from and engage with Kurt Norris!
Kurt retired from Caterpillar after 35 years of international service. Most recently he was a Vice President for the Global Rental and Used Equipment Division and was responsible for the communication and development of the Corporate Rental Strategy. He has extensive knowledge of Global P & L’s, Cash Flow Statements and Balance Sheets and was responsible for the profitability of several multibillion global dollar divisions over the course of his career. He has developed an acute understanding of currency exchange rate implications on margin decisions and sourcing negotiations.
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The in-person session takes place at 201 SW Adams Street and is free and open to the public. We highly encourage registration, yet all are welcome for this workshop.
Winning Wednesday Workshop's brief sessions are designed to work with your lunch break. Feel free to bring a meal with or purchase one from Chef Jeremy Washum's 'Reservations' residency at Cafe Distilled in the Main Lobby. It's the perfect time to learn something interesting, network, and catch a quick bite to eat supporting a local small business. What a treat, all under one roof!
Distillery Labs is grateful to the passionate experts sharing invaluable insights with our region's vibrant community. Thanks for contributing to a City of Innovation.
---
Distillery Labs
201 SW Adams St.
Peoria, IL 61602
(Parking may be found at metered street spots on SW Adams and Fulton Streets as well as parking garages on SW Adams and neighboring streets.)
]]>Join us for Fail Club with Special Guest Speaker Chase Brower, COO of SWYCH Box
The in-person meet-up takes place in the Main Lobby of Distillery Labs.
Register for this FREE meet-up here: https://distillerylabs.proximity.app/events/17-jun-2026-fail-club-with-special-guest-speaker-chase-brower-coo-of-swych-box
Chase is a passionate entrepreneur and problem-solver who knows firsthand how valuable your time is—especially when you're stuck waiting. That’s why he helped launch SWYCH Box: to turn idle time at EV charging stations into productive, refreshing moments. With a background in franchise ownership, real estate development, and building community-focused businesses, Chase brings operational expertise and creative energy to every aspect of SWYCH Box. Whether it's making your charging stop more enjoyable or expanding access to smart on-the-go amenities, Chase is driven by one goal: to help people get the most out of their day.
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Fail Club: Celebrating Lessons from the Unexpected
On the 3rd Wednesday monthly, Distillery Labs hosts this unique gathering highlighting how every setback paves the way to a greater comeback. We provide an open setting focused on learning from professionals willing to share how their mishaps, unexpected detours, and outright failures have led to valuable new wins.
Speakers offer their insights for the Club speaking/presenting for a bit then taking questions after. There is also time for everyone to share their stories or current challenge for which they're seeking guidance. Complimentary beverages are provided by Distillery Labs, and all are encouraged to hear and share first-hand experiences connecting with others who value resilience and innovation.
Learn: Hear first-hand stories from individuals who turned their setbacks into setups for success.
Network: Connect with a community that values resilience, innovation, and growth.
Grow: Embrace the journey of entrepreneurship and self-development, bumps and all.
***
Distillery Labs
201 SW Adams St.
Peoria, IL 61602
DistilleryLabs.org
(Parking may be found at metered street spots on SW Adams and Fulton Streets as well as parking garages on SW Adams and neighboring streets.)
]]>Winning Wednesday Workshop: Brittany Strickland, VP Community Manager of JPMorgan Chase
Credit Is a Game…No One Taught Me the Rules
Game Over: My Early Credit Mistakes and the Rules I Learned the Hard Way
Many people are handed credit before they ever understand how it works. In this Winning Wednesday Workshop session, Brittany Strickland shares how early credit mistakes taught her that credit is a game—one with rules that many people are never taught. Through personal storytelling and practical insight, she explores how learning those rules transformed financial setbacks into tools for long-term success. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how credit works and how to start playing the game in their favor.
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Brittany Strickland is a Community Manager with JPMorgan Chase, specializing in financial health education, community partnership development, and workforce-focused financial capability programming. She regularly facilitates workshops on credit building, debt management, budgeting, and long-term financial stability for diverse audiences including students, entrepreneurs, and community members. Brittany’s approach combines practical financial education with real-life experiences, making complex financial topics accessible and actionable. Through her work across Central Illinois, she collaborates with nonprofits, educational institutions, and local organizations to help individuals build confidence in managing their finances and navigating the financial system.
***
Be sure to attend the Winning Wednesday Workshop Series at Distillery Labs! Learn from and engage with community leaders!
The in-person session takes place at 201 SW Adams Street and is free and open to the public. We highly encourage registration, yet all are welcome for this workshop.
Winning Wednesday Workshop's brief sessions are designed to work with your lunch break. Feel free to bring a meal with or purchase one from Chef Jeremy Washum's 'Reservations' residency at Cafe Distilled in the Main Lobby. It's the perfect time to learn something interesting, network, and catch a quick bite to eat supporting a local small business. What a treat, all under one roof!
Distillery Labs is grateful to the passionate experts sharing invaluable insights with our region's vibrant community. Thanks for contributing to a City of Innovation.
---
Distillery Labs
201 SW Adams St.
Peoria, IL 61602
(Parking may be found at metered street spots on SW Adams and Fulton Streets as well as parking garages on SW Adams and neighboring streets.)
]]>Join us for Fail Club with Special Guest Speaker Christine Bare-Kemper, VP of Philanthropy for Center for Prevention of Abuse
The in-person meet-up takes place in the Main Lobby of Distillery Labs. Register for this FREE gathering here.
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Christine Bare-Kemper is the Vice President of Philanthropy at the Center for Prevention of Abuse, where she leads strategic fundraising initiatives to advance the organization’s mission and expand its impact. With a proven record of success in development, Christine is skilled at cultivating meaningful relationships and securing resources that sustain essential programs and services.
Deeply committed to creating a safer, more compassionate community, Christine’s passion for philanthropy is closely aligned with the Center’s mission to protect and support those in need. She has been recognized for her leadership and dedication to education, including being named Illinois Central College Alumnus of the Decade in 2017. A graduate of Bradley University, Christine and her husband have raised their blended family of five children in Peoria, where her personal and professional life is deeply rooted.
***
Fail Club: Celebrating Lessons from the Unexpected
On the 3rd Wednesday monthly, Distillery Labs hosts this unique gathering highlighting how every setback paves the way to a greater comeback. We provide an open setting focused on learning from professionals willing to share how their mishaps, unexpected detours, and outright failures have led to valuable new wins.
Speakers offer their insights for the Club speaking/presenting for a bit then taking questions after. There is also time for everyone to share their stories or current challenge for which they're seeking guidance. Complimentary beverages are provided by Distillery Labs, and all are encouraged to hear and share first-hand experiences connecting with others who value resilience and innovation.
Learn: Hear first-hand stories from individuals who turned their setbacks into setups for success.
Network: Connect with a community that values resilience, innovation, and growth.
Grow: Embrace the journey of entrepreneurship and self-development, bumps and all.
***
Distillery Labs
201 SW Adams St.
Peoria, IL 61602
DistilleryLabs.org
(Parking may be found at metered street spots on SW Adams and Fulton Streets as well as parking garages on SW Adams and neighboring streets.)
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