First Alert Forward: 100 Small Businesses in 100 Days

GODFREY, Ill. (First Alert 4) — A Metro East content creator is visiting dozens of small businesses in Illinois, on a mission to share their stories in a time where mom and pop shops face challenges with inflation, reduced consumer spending and other economic challenges.

Chris Conrady, whose Instagram and TikTok accounts have several thousand followers, has posted nearly 30 clips to his channels since starting the project.

In his videos, Conrady says he is “visiting 100 businesses in 100 days across the Metro East.” The project is a way to seek out smaller communities in Illinois and the small businesses that tie them together.

His clips so far have included stops in Mascoutah, Alton, Edwardsville, Granite City and several other smaller communities east of the Mississippi.

Conrady said he has loved telling stories since he was young.

“There’s so much power in sharing your story and building a connection with people,” Conrady said. “There’s power in letting people know where you come from.”

Conrady, who is from Michigan, said that when he moved to the area, he saw “so much potential” in the places he visited.

“There’s so much passion when you see these places, and I just kept thinking, ‘how can we spotlight that?’” Conrady said.

Peachy Paws in Godfrey

First Alert Forward followed Conrady to two stops in Godfrey, Ill., where he planned to spotlight two local businesses.

Peachy Paws, a pet grooming boutique in Godfrey owned by Amber Pogue, was the first small business.

Pogue said she always wanted to have her own business.

“I always wanted to have a business of my own, to be my own boss,” Pogue said.

She said she also always wanted to work with animals.

“Dogs are people’s families, and whenever they’re here they’re with us,” Pogue said. “People are trusting us with their babies.”

During the visit, Conrady asked Pogue what it was like to take the leap into business. She said she was busy from day one.

“You just have to go for it because there’s never a perfect time,” Pogue said.

Pogue said she sees Conrady’s videos often.

“I see his videos all the time. TikTok and Facebook, all over the area doing things,” Pogue said.

Bakers and Hale in the Metro East

Conrady and his producer also visited Bakers and Hale, a farm-to-table restaurant near Peachy Paws. The restaurant is the family business of Kelsi Walden.

Walden said she loves food and serving people.

“I love cooking what I know is good for them, and I love knowing what’s in it,” Walden said.

Walden said Conrady’s visits give her a chance to reach customers and to celebrate places like hers and the stories behind them.

“We’re all people, and we’re all humans,” Walden said. “We have a goal in mind to run a good business.”

Hard times and costs

Conrady said he tries to get to the heart of each business.

“I never want this just to be a spotlight,” Conrady said. “A requirement of this is vulnerability. Being able to share the hard times and what it took to create something like this.”

Asked what he is hearing from business owners right now, Conrady said they are focused on staying open and on the high cost of inflation.

“Just staying open, right? The high cost of inflation,” Conrady said.

Pogue said running a small business is difficult.

“Of course it’s tough to run a small business. I have my struggles with stuff,” Pogue said. “But I have a great team, the most perfect team you could ask for and the most perfect customers you could ask for.”

Conrady said his goal is for viewers to feel the heart of the businesses he visits.

“It comes from a place deep within,” Conrady said. “That’s what we want to show people, is for them to feel that heart right there.”

Suggest a business

First Alert Forward is working on its own series about small businesses and the challenges many face. Give us some suggestions in your community!

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