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Homegrown Businesses

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Sycamore. Over time, a number of longtime residents have chosen to follow their dreams and establish their business in the town in which they grew up. The following article highlights just two of Sycamore’s many unique homegrown businesses.

La’Di Events
Ever since she was a little girl, Amanda Burdick loved dressing up and having parties with friends. The lifelong Sycamore resident’s passion only grew as she got older, as friends and family continually looked to Amanda to throw their themed parties. “Let Amanda do it” was the common response when an event needed to be planned…a phrase that served as the inspiration behind the name La’Di Events, Amanda’s future business.

Born and raised in Sycamore, Amanda Burdick graduate from Sycamore High School in 2002 and attended Northern Illinois University, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing in 2006. “I had always planned to start a business of my own after graduating college, it was just a matter of when,” she said. “After I was married in 2007, I decided it was time to get started and see where this business would take me.”

Amanda invested in an education through the Wedding Planning Institute, and upon receiving her wedding planning certification, established La’Di Events. Amanda, her associate, Aubrey Pauly, and other highly trained assistants plan everything from weddings, corporate events and anniversary parties to open houses, fundraisers and birthday parties. “There are so many aspects that I love about this business. I love that every event is different… the venues, décor, vendors and personalities change with event,” explained Amanda. “I also love that, as wedding planners, we are the secret superheroes behind the scenes.”

The new year marks the third year of La’Di Events, and its successes are already evident. La’Di was one of 10 wedding planners in Illinois awarded the 2010 Pick in The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” edition. (The Knot is America’s leading wedding planning resource.)

There is nowhere to go but up for Amanda Burdick and her flourishing wedding and event planning business. Even as her client list expands, Amanda still takes pleasure in the little things. In her spare time, she enjoys sitting back with her husband, David, and yellow lab, Peanut Butter—and even finds the time to host her own themed dinner parties.

The natural cook
Finding her love for cooking came fast for Jo Cessna, a 20-year resident of Sycamore. According to Jo, her passion was sparked when she received her first Easy Bake Oven at age eight. “And that light bulb still works,” she said. With an interest in both the culinary arts and teaching, Jo did everything from leading a high school culinary program and working in catering kitchens to operating a wholesale baking and chocolate business and, most recently, working as a food broker in the industry side of the business. But Jo wanted more and chose to leave her job to pursue a new path using her love of cooking, teaching and good nutrition.

Jo enrolled in a week-long intensive program at the School of Natural Cookery in Boulder, CO, and by Thursday of that week realized she found a piece of what she was searching for. With the support of her family, Jo returned to the cooking school in fall for a four-month professional program. She returned home upon completion and established her new business, the Natural Cook, in February of 2009.

The Natural Cook offers a very unique opportunity for cooks of every age and skill. Through personalized cooking lessons, small group interactive cooking sessions and personal pantry consultations, the Natural Cook serves as a great resource for anyone looking for healthy and simple cooking tips. “I really want to help individuals eat whole, natural foods and will work with them side by side,” said Jo. “I try and focus on keeping the techniques simple, the food natural and clean, and the service very personalized.