Don
I've been a homeowner and business owner in North Chicago for 18 years. North Chicago is where I got my start. And that's where I built my base and my clientele and my business.
What brought to North Chicago in the first place?
I think it was a Malibu– a Chevy Malibu [laughter]. '93. It was an older Malibu.
And where are you from, originally?
The west side of Chicago, Maywood, Bellwood– I lived in Florida, Arizona, Washington State. I was traveling because I lived with my mom and my stepdad. We left Chicago I went to Arizona and Tucson, lived there for eight years. Then I moved to Florida... and then I moved to Lake Havasu, Arizona, where London Bridge is at- and went to high school. Before then I went to Washington, and Dungeoness is where the Dungeness crabs are from. I lived on the streets of Juan de Fuca, Washington. Then I moved to Lake Havasu...
Do you ever get the urge to move from North Chicago?
Yes, all the time. This is where I built my business. And it's hard to just pick up and leave. But if I could relocate and have everything the way it is, I'd be gone in a heartbeat.
Where would you go?
Probably Houston, Texas, where it's warm all year and the ocean is there. I like the water.
Is barbering something you always wanted to do?
No. I thought I was gonna be a dentist. At first I wanted to be a dentist, then I wanted to be an engineer. I went to get good schools and I was coming up. So I had good ideas on what I wanted but when I was 15 I moved back to Chicago and went to school with my dad– I moved in with my dad, and then things start going down from there. [laughter]
I knew I wasn't gonna make it at UPS after I got fired. I always cut hair, and a lot of people in my family cut hair. There was a guy that owned a barber shop that told me he was gonna give me a job. So I moved out here and work for him. A guy I met at church. And I've been doing it for 30 years now, and it's been good to me.
So then you you met your wife and you figured you'd stick around awhile?
I was a barber in one shop in North Chicago and she was a beautician across the street from here I didn't shop and went down I went there I went down there and I met her and she cooked be some catfish and cheddar broccoli rice and we've been together ever since.
Wow– the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, right? Was there anything other than the catfish and broccoli?
This is a "PG” interview! [laughter]
What's the best part of being a barber?
Meeting people, pick up and go and travel whenever I want, being my own boss. Just being independent and not having to answer to no one but for myself if I don't succeed.
Here in your shop you have all these pictures of all these notable people who whose hair you've cut? That you've become associated with? How does that happen?
Oh, those are mostly Bears players. I met them from cutting hair– and then telling somebody, and them telling somebody– and been doing that for the last 20 years.
What are you most proud of?
Umm, as far as what?
It’s an open question. You choose.
The way I've changed and become more spiritual. And my relationship with God. Challenges and obstacles and life.
How would your wife of 23 years describe you, in three words?
The first thing I was gonna say is a curse word of gluteus maximus– in the proximity... the second thing…a good husband. And a good cook.
What makes a good husband? I know what makes a good cook.
For one, I'm a provider. And don't cheat or and I'm into the Lord. And I have my own business.
Would you say that you’re a catch?
You got that right!
What do you aspire to? What do you hope for your for now?
I want to buy a building in North Chicago. I guess opening up a shop instead of renting it, own it myself and add some apartments. Hopefully the people will pay.
That's sort of the sort of the American dream, right? Do you think, generally speaking, that that people here still believe in the American dream?
Yeah, I really do.
Is the future hopeful for North Chicago?
Yeah. I'm gonna be here, God willing.
Edited and condensed, this conversation took place in 2016.