Couple leave long-time careers to open Barrington men's salon
Jeff and Cathy Eggert have been married for 28 years and, for most of that time, they have focused on their careers in corporate America and health care.
Jeff was chief financial officer at Snap-On Tools in Kenosha, Wisconsin, for about 20 years and then moved to Pactiv in Lake Forest for another 9 years. Cathy has been a registered nurse for a hospital and a school and also cared for her mother before she passed away after a battle with cancer.
So why would they shift gears and acquire a franchise for an upscale men's salon? A new opportunity. Flexibility in their work life. Ownership.
The Eggerts said they will open by July the 18|8 Fine Men's Salon, 120 S. Hough St., in downtown Barrington. It will be in the new Barrington Village Center near Hough and Main streets.
"I was thinking about leaving the corporate world for a number of years," Jeff Eggert said. "I was thinking of an opportunity where I could apply the skills I've acquired in business and use them on my own terms."
While trying to decide what to do, or what business to run, the couple continued in their longtime careers. After looking at various franchises, they decided on 18|8. Claiming its name from the original formula for stainless steel, 18 percent chromium, plus 8 percent nickel added to steel, 18/8 started in Southern California more than a decade ago.
The new 18|8 Fine Men's Salon is an upscale salon that offers cuts and other services for men unlike the typical barber shop. It will feature earthtones, a reception desk, and semiprivate stations where a hair wash can be done right at the station, he said.
They also plan to open two more such salons in the next couple of years, somewhere between Barrington and Gurnee. Exact sites will be selected later, Jeff said.
While Cathy and Jeff won't be at the salon day to day, they will own and manage the business.
It also will allow Jeff the chance to use his corporate skills to benefit him and his family, he said.
"When you're working in the corporate world for a long time, it's a big decision to just walk away from that and take a risk on a new venture," he said.
Taking new steps
Gemini Bhimani will host a grand opening on May 31 of her dance studio, Junoon Dance Company, in Roselle. It will teach Indian forms of dance, and classes will be offered to all ages and backgrounds.
FastTracks
Mount Prospect resident Dina Altieri was one of only three chefs to receive the Cutting Edge Award from the American Culinary Federation during its regional conference in Indianapolis. She also was recently promoted to from chief instructor and associate professor to dean of the Kendall College School of Culinary Arts in Chicago. ... Brian Lorge, president and CEO of Lorge Marketing Services LLC, in Bolingbrook, received a President's Medallion from the American Culinary Federation at the same conference. The award is given by the federation to honor those who contribute significantly to the culinary profession.
Richard F. deVerdier, a real estate appraiser from Lisle, this month received the Volunteer of Distinction Award from the Appraisal Institute, a global professional association of real estate appraisers. ... Tony Pavic, vice president of operations for Go Roma in restaurants Northbrook and Bolingbrook, said another restaurant will open at the new Glen Gate retail center in Glenview on May 19.
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William A. Terlato, CEO of Terlato Wines in Lake Bluff, said he has signed a long-term agreement for Terlato to import the Champagnes of the iconic House of Piper-Heidsieck. ... Timothy Lee on May 29 open his new dental practice in Lake in the Hills, called Morningside Family Dental. ... Matt Garland is a new associate broker with Cawley Chicago Commercial Real Estate in Downers Grove and is specializing in the I-55 corridor industrial market. David Conroy has been promoted to senior associate also at Cawley.
Jason Ruban was promoted to vice president of global sales in the Transportation Division. Will Sampson was promoted to vice president/business leader in the Transportation Division. Todd Stukenberg was promoted to vice president/general manager of the Stationary Power Division. Walter Yonkaitis was promoted to vice president/chief financial officer, all at Willowbrook-based Midtronics Inc. ... Jianfeng Xu of Evanston is the new vice president of translational research and director of the program for personalized cancer care at NorthShore University HealthSystem in Evanston.
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