Title: Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Company: The Atlas Collective, LLC
Location: Moline, Illinois, United States
Kara Taghon, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at The Atlas Collective, LLC, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements and leadership in the Retail Industry.
Ms. Taghon currently serves as the founder and chief executive officer of The Atlas Collective, LLC, a role she has held since 2024. Based in Moline, Illinois, her company serves as both a used bookstore and a coffee shop, offering more than a traditional retail experience. Under Ms. Taghon’s leadership, the business has become a vibrant community hub, hosting after-hours events, including running clubs and family and children’s reading sessions. Moreover, she has established collaborations with local animal welfare centers and gender-affirming care facilities, including The Project, to foster a holistic community environment.
Managing all aspects of the business, including overseeing a staff of five, Ms. Taghon also oversees accounting and financials, prepares and serves coffee, curates lending libraries for community organizations and maintains enduring partnerships with other local groups. Her commitment to inclusivity is evident in her efforts to create a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community and to facilitate respectful conversations about identity. Many visitors have said they feel at home in The Atlas Collective, LLC, which Ms. Taghon considers her most significant achievement.
Before founding The Atlas Collective, LLC, Ms. Taghon spent several years as the director of activities and exercise at a memory care unit serving older adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In this capacity, she developed an internship program for social work students from Aurora University, managed a team of three employees alongside eight to 10 interns and regularly met with families to discuss their loved ones’ health. Although emotionally demanding, this role reinforced Ms. Taghon’s nurturing nature and inspired her to seek broader opportunities to support others.
Ms. Taghon’s academic background included earning a bachelor’s degree in anatomy and exercise science with a minor in dance from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb in 2017. She credits her education for equipping her with resilience, adaptability and problem-solving skills that have been instrumental throughout her career.
While Ms. Taghon began preliminary coursework toward a master’s degree in occupational therapy, she ultimately chose to focus on building The Atlas Collective, LLC, as a place where people can feel comfortable and connected. Her journey into entrepreneurship was influenced by her lifelong passion for reading, a refuge during a challenging childhood, and her desire to create a safe space for herself and others.
Ms. Taghon is an active member of several organizations outside of work. She partners with Visit Quad Cities and is affiliated with Everywhere is Queer, demonstrating her dedication to fostering inclusive communities. Additionally, Ms. Taghon serves as a foster parent and volunteers with organizations such as Feed My Starving Children, the Quad City Animal Welfare Center, Humility Homes, Quad Cities Clock Inc. and the Midwest Writing Center, and supports various local causes as a donor.
Among her creative endeavors, Ms. Taghon has published poetry in small-press zines and contributed book reviews to Little Village Magazine, based in Iowa City. Additionally, she has worked as the director and choreographer for Barely There Theatre Company in the Quad Cities region.
Ms. Taghon’s contributions have been recognized with several honors, including the Keep Moline Beautiful Outstanding Pollinator Award in 2025. Looking ahead, she plans to expand The Atlas Collective, LLC, by offering additional community events, programming and artistic opportunities, including establishing a gallery space for local artists, to further showcase regional talent.
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