Jessica Lee is a visionary and a philanthropist. Born in South Korea, she immigrated to the US as a child and spent a majority of her life on the Northside of Chicago. Most of her teenage and young adult years were spent working in hospitality while pursuing a law degree and CPA certification. As early as 23, she began her entrepreneurial efforts by partnering with various investors to build chains of restaurants and nightlife venues. It was during these years where she discovered her deep love for building community and providing mentorship. She saw disparities in pay and education amongst the working class  and made it a mission to bridge those gaps by providing tools and education for everyone to succeed. Using her own experiences while earning her MBA, she understood that success can only be valued once one reaches financial stability. 

James Nichols is a lifelong musician and a connoisseur of visual arts. He plays various different musical instruments and has played in a few local bands in the suburbs of Chicago. He even sang vocals for a few albums that have sold worldwide. He attended a school of the Arts in hopes to broaden his artistic abilities. He was challenged and disheartened by the bureaucratic ways of the school systems and decided to pursue a career outside of the arts. For him, a job was just a way to make ends meet and the hobbies he loved in life, such as hiking and photography, were always inspired by his creativity. Through Pursue the Dream, he saw a way to use his artistic abilities to give back to others in need and inspire others to also follow their dreams, whatever they may be.

Rachel Artise is a results-driven Chief Marketing Officer, keynote speaker, and entrepreneurial coach with over 20 years of hands-on experience building and scaling businesses. Her journey spans eight businesses, a deep background in marketing and AI systems, and a passion for turning ambition into legacy.

“Pursue the Dream” is more than a motto for Rachel—it’s a commitment to helping entrepreneurs claim the freedom, impact, and fulfillment that sparked their journey in the first place. She’s coached business owners at every stage, inspired audiences through partnerships with nonprofits like Athena and Junior Achievement, and mentored countless leaders to embrace confidence, clarity, and sustainable growth.

If you’re ready to work with a coach who has lived every lesson she teaches, Rachel Artise is the guide who will help you boss up and pursue your dream—on your terms.