Called “a breath of fresh air” and “the accessible Oprah”, Saya Hillman is an Evanston, IL native, Boston College graduate, and Chicago resident. After four years in the non-profit world, she decided that bosses and commutes weren’t her thing and since 2004 has been blissfully self-employed. Her lifestyle business, Mac & Cheese Productions℠, utilizes play, innovation, and comfortable fear to create communities of everyday superheroes. Mac & Cheese motivates individuals and organizations to stretch themselves and do their best thinking, and supports people in finding fulfillment and groups in creating a positive culture. Positive orientation = positive results. Think summer camp for adults.

 

What’s your favorite book?

ReWork by Jason Fried

Favorite movie?

Stand By Me

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Favorite TV show?

Currently, Insecure

When did you realize you wanted to share your passion/skill?

When I realized that things that others loathe — networking, sales, self-promotion, public speaking — are things at which I excel and am able to teach effectively and inspirationally. Also when I saw how much one can make as a professional speaker! Get paid to travel and share my passion? Um, ok.

Did you go to school for your craft or teach yourself?

Ha, total DIYer. I am trained and certified in nothing!

If you could choose a spirit animal what would it be?

Puppies! (just became a doggie foster parent)

What makes you laugh until you cry?

Improv. But often the tears are because I’m questioning why I forced myself to participate.

How do you like to spend your weekend?

Biking the city with my best friend/husband, working (cause I love what I do), playing board games, firepit action, and reading in coffeehouses.

What’s your favorite city and why?

The city I have yet to visit. My hubs and I love traveling and do it incessantly. I especially love living a Four Seasons lifestyle on a Motel Six budget and think travel hacking is the best.

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Where do you find inspiration?

From my Cheese-Its (what I call my customers). I love when they send me notes about quitting their jobs or moving to a new city or signing up for a scary class because of an a-ha moment I provided them. I also love getting peers business, helping friends find love, connecting friends to new friends, and have a pretty kickass referral track record.

Are you in Chicago and want to check out one of Saya’s stimulating and super educating events?! Or do you know someone who might? Sign-up or share her event here.