Ula is front and center in the lace dress, along with her staff—where would any small business owner be without an amazing staff to carryout a vision?
Staff Photo (starting at the back row, top left): Moises, Jerry (no longer with Martini Room), Luis, Olivia, Eryca, Tamala, and Sherri.
Ula is a creative and driven entrepreneur whose impact extends far beyond the entrance to Martini Room. Her father instilled Ula's entrepreneurial spirit, further fueled by a passion for community and perfection. Whatever Ula does, she does with heart.
Before delving into Ula's impact on Elgin, it's important to understand some of her life before Elgin to understand what has driven her relentless pursuit of making Martini Room the best it can be for downtown Elgin. After nearly 20 years in the heart of downtown Elgin, Martini Room has become so much more than a place to enjoy a creative and delicious martini or cocktail—it’s a place to experience the arts, connect with the community, and know that you will always be welcome.
Like many of us, even if we pursue a specific topic in college, we do not necessarily know what we want to do for a career.
Ula earned a degree in architecture in Poland. Before finishing her degree, she began contemplating whether architecture was definitely her career path. Her father was an independent business owner, something she found appealing—if you know Ula today, she made the right choice in becoming an entrepreneur.
Our path in life is rarely clear. Sometimes, removing ourselves from our usual circumstances can be beneficial when trying to make life-changing decisions. With only a year left after four years at university in Poland, Ula seriously began contemplating her future. Unsure of what to do, someone close to Ula recommended going to the United States to try and figure things out (I am grateful she did, and Elgin should be, too).
In the early 2000s, Ula traveled to the US and signed up for ESL (English as a Second Language) classes at the University of Chicago. In need of funds while in the US, she took on bartending in Chicago (with her work Visa).
Although life in Chicago was not ideal for her, she determined that she wanted to be in the US. However, she could not leave behind four years of University in Poland, especially knowing she only had about one year left to complete her degree. Ula returned to Poland, completed her degree in architecture, and then returned to the US.
Upon returning to the US, Ula answered an ad for a bartender at Martini Room in downtown Elgin in March 2005. Seven months later, the then-owner of Martini Room was looking for an investor—Ula answered the call and became a partner in Martini Room in 2006.
Like many people, Ula saw potential in Martini Room and downtown Elgin. Ula is an incredibly creative and passionate visionary, and these qualities come through in everything she does. From the extensive and innovative, ever-evolving cocktail menu to her unique events, she stops at nothing to create an exceptional experience.
Ula is not selfish with her talents; she’s generous in using her gifts to benefit the community.
Ula understands what it's like to start from scratch, especially in a place so far from her home in Poland. Any successful small business owner understands the importance of connecting with their community. Ula deeply understood this, and that shines through today, nearly twenty years later.
Certainly, Ula's ability to connect, her creativity, and her high standards have driven her success, but her success isn't hers alone - everyone she collaborates with on her numerous unique event ideas also benefits. If you partner with Ula, your endeavor with her is certain to benefit (as so many have).
Although the list is extensive, some of the organizations she has partnered with and supported since 2005 include:
Some of the more notable collaborations include:
Depending on the event, Ula's time investment into design, marketing, and outreach can be 15 to 35 hours (in some cases, days) per collaboration—all of this is in addition to the usual duties of running a small business (payroll, taxes, staff schedules, inventory, etc.). Although her time investment is significant (of course, a financial investment), she also contributes financially with things like print materials. Ula doesn't only support local nonprofits by hosting collaborative events. If approached, Ula generously provides gift cards for nonprofit fundraising events. I know this firsthand; I have benefitted from Ula's generosity in the past for fundraising events I hosted.
Speaking of spectacular events. Martini Room is one of the premier locations for the City of Elgin's Nightmare on Chicago Street (NOCS). It's not Martini Room's central location that makes it the place to be for NOCS; it's everything she puts into elevating Martini Room to be on point with the evening's wild and explosive theme. From crafting new scary cocktails each year to artistic preparation to additional staff—Ula begins work in August for this mid-October event.
She doesn't only collaborate with local nonprofit organizations. Being the entrepreneur and artist she is, Ula often hosts pop-up shops for other small business owners and artists. If approached, she will feature an artist's work on her walls. If you are a Martini Room fan, you've likely experienced her martini flights—she thinks up a new creative flight each month. In the past, she's even partnered with Herb's Bakery (another longtime Elgin staple) for a flight. For Bizarre Bazaar (a small business shopping experience), Ula designed the logo and marketing materials and contacted all participating businesses (several hours of work promoting other downtown businesses).
Ula loves music and loves hosting local musicians like Tunes for a Minute, which exists to bring artists content, community, and opportunity. Tunes for a Minute includes global artist and Elgin resident Colin Ryan. Although closed for nine months during COVID, Ula safely hosted an online fundraiser with Colin and Tunes for a Minute. Another musical staple at Martini Room is Mark Bettcher—a local performer, creator, composer, and now retired music educator.
With everything that Martini Room offers the community, there is one thing Ula does not offer—food. Lacking a kitchen provides another avenue for collaboration. Ula widely promotes downtown Elgin restaurants, and guests can bring food from other establishments (or have it delivered as I have done).
Despite the time and effort Ula puts into the community, she makes time for other small business hopefuls just starting out. Besides offering her insight and business acumen, Ula takes time to write Letters of Recommendation to support other local businesses in obtaining their business licenses. Two downtown Elgin small businesses that have benefitted are Ruben Ramos Photography and Jamie Berry of Vern's Tavern. She’s even written a letter helping to support someone to become a permanent US citizen.
Ula's journey brought her to Elgin nearly twenty years ago. I can't imagine a downtown Elgin without Ula's presence and her immeasurable impact. Without hesitation, Ula tirelessly uses her gifts to uplift others. Downtown Elgin has seen and continues to experience ups and downs, but through it all, Ula never gives up—she’s a survivor and inspiration to all who work with her. Thank you isn’t enough, which is why I have nominated her for the Elgin Image Award—a long overdue and well-deserved recognition.
- Kari Christensen (writer)
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