The new YPIE group meets at Wool Street, pictured from left are Megan Boyce-Carlson of AXA Advisors, LLC, Melissa Wagner of Wagner & Wagner, Lori Rotolo, Avani Patel of Bruning & Associates, P.C., Dr. Patrick McEneaney of Cary-Grove Foot & Ankle Center, Steve Guillen of Guillen Pest Solutions, Ryan McCloud and Nick Jesse of Ringers Services, Inc., Sumish Parikh of Dunkin' Donuts / Baskin Robbins and Brian Beuckman of Century 21/Sketchbook

YPIE ! New Young Professionals Group Takes Off!

The Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce has initiated a new networking and business development group for young professionals. Called YPIE, for Young Professionals Idea Exchange, the organization is targeted at professionals and business owners 40 and younger.

According to organizer and Chamber Board Member Sumish Parikh, owner of Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins with locations in Cary, Fox River Grove and Crystal Lake, there is a tremendous need for younger professionals to connect with their peers to share struggles, success, energy and encouragement.

“As young professionals building our businesses and careers, we are experiencing the same struggles and challenges,” Parikh said. “YPIE will provide a forum for us to connect with our peers to share ideas, best practices and learning experiences, as well as mistakes.”

YPIE plans to pull together a wide, diverse group of professionals and business owners 40 and younger to begin building relationships that will lead to long-term connections both professionally and socially. The group enables young professionals to step up as leaders and have a voice in something, Parikh noted. YPIE is open to professionals from all industries, with no limit on the number of individuals representing different areas. YPIE is an affiliate of the Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We are mixing business with pleasure to build career success,” Parikh said. “When you connect with other professionals of the same age, there is a comfort level. We may not at this point have the business acumen that comes with age and experience, but we are all hungry to learn. When we are all in the same mode, there is a free flow of ideas that we can all benefit from. We are not afraid to admit mistakes and seek out help.”

YPIE will meet every other Wednesday evening at Wool Street Grill & Sports Bar, 800 Feinberg Court. Meetings begin at 5 p.m with a “Happy Half Hour: followed by a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Interested young professionals are encouraged to stop after work. Look for the yellow YPIE table signs.

“In addition to connecting with other young professionals, we plan to invite seasoned business leaders to share their experiences and address our group,” Parikh said. “We don’t want to reinvent the wheel but learn from others with proven track records.”

YPIE members must also be members of the Cary Grove Chamber. For membership information, visit our website at www.carygrovechamber.com and click on “Join Us,” or call the Chamber office at (847) 639-2800.

Upcoming Meetings of the Young Professionals Idea Exchange:

Wednesday, April 14, 28, May 12, 26, June 9, 23
5:00 p.m.
Wool Street Grill & Sports Bar
800 Feinberg Ct. in Cary
Cash Bar
Call the Chamber to confirm dates: (847) 639-2800

Schedule: 5:00 socializing – 5:30 meeting – followed by more networking and socializing. Join us when you can!

YPIE is open to professionals 40 and younger dedicated to building partnerships that lead to growth and success.

Look for our YPIE signs on the table and come up and join us! For more information, contact Sumish Parikh of Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins at (773) 425-7810.