Founder and editor of Chickago™, Alexandra Briguglio, shares the goal of this empowering women’s site as well as some words of wisdom for transitioning college women.
HC:What inspired you to start Chickagoan?
AB: I started Chickagoan for 2 reasons: 1. I saw people healthy & unhappy in Chicago and realized it’s because people have forgotten what it means to be healthy and happy. Diet books, pills, and 8-minute ab workouts clearly aren’t working! I wanted women to empower themselves by taking back their relationships with self-health. Health isn’t just the food choices you make or how many 1-armed push-ups you can do — it’s a healthy relationship with yourself, the Earth, your loved ones, your career, and even your spiritual side! Health can’t be compartmentalized, so I wanted to create a place for women that explored the many faces of ‘health’. 2. Women’s health journeys are very different from that of a mans, so Chickagoan is a community where like-minded women can share/learn/grown from and with one another, which is why we hold events, so our chicks can actually meet one another! Part of my second reason was selfish — I wanted to meet great chicks in the city. I was pretty much a Chicago newbie when I started the site and have developed great friends in the process!
HC:In an ideal world, what is your dream for Chickagoan?
AB:That Chickagoan continues to be a resource for our fabulous chicky readers and members for all-things health, community, and must-attend wellness events. Additionally, we’re launching a health consulting branch of Chickagoan this fall, so our followers can work 1-on-1 with me and my team to transform their health, and ultimately their lives, with our simple, fun and “diet-free” programming!
HC:Do you have anyone working with you on the site?
AB:I have a team of amazing women that I couldn’t live without!
HC:What do readers like the most about Chickagoan?
AB:It’s genuine, light-hearted, and easy-reading. Our articles/events/videos make you WANT to engage in a healthy lifestyle, because we take a holistic approach to living — minus the hippie.
HC:What is your most proud moment since launching the site?
AB:The attendance at our Eco-Chickagoan event. Our site had only been live for less than 6 months and we had over 250 people supporting our ‘Mama Earth-Lovin” mission!
HC:What advice would you give college women of Her Campus in transitioning to the workforce?
AB:Don’t be intimated by the unknown. If you don’t know how to do something, push through your fears by asking the right questions, connecting with the right people, and just going for it. You’ll never fail; you’ll just learn how to do better the next time. I use the term ‘beta’. When I embark on something for the first time, I consider it my beta-phase, so I don’t worry about perfection!
HC:What University did you attend and what was your major?
AB:University of Michigan – BA in Psychology & Communications
Be sure to check out Chickago™ at http://www.chickagoan.com/
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UIC chapter.