In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going.

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Burke, the founder of Hale, a new men’s personal care and grooming brand focused on personalization, confidence, and simplifying daily routines. Sam shares the inspiration behind Hale, the gaps he saw in the men’s wellness market, and the challenges of building a product at the intersection of consumer goods and technology.

We dive into how he validated the concept before fully committing to the build, what early conversations with investors and mentors have looked like, and how he’s thinking about fundraising as Hale grows. As a Chicago founder, Sam talks about the support he’s found in the local startup ecosystem and offers practical advice for anyone in the city looking to bring a consumer or digital health idea to life.

Connect with Sam: 

Sam’s Linkedin:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-d-burke/ 

Sam’s Email: sam@thehale.co 

Hales website:   https://thehale.co/ 

Halel’s’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehale/ 

Hale’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.hale.co/ 

Connect with Chicago Techies Podcast:

Website: https://chicagotechiespodcast.com   

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicago-techies-podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagotechies 

Connect with Ceci:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbenitez87/ 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/cbenitez_87