Celebrating 21 Years as Barrington’s Signature Magazine
Celebrating 21 Years as Barrington’s Signature Magazine
Meet our first entrepreneurs, Mary and Curt Behrens, Barrington residents building a set of businesses rooted in craftsmanship, connection, and a shared sense of purpose.
Curt was born and raised in Iowa before moving to Chicago in 1984 and settling in Barrington in 1991. He spent decades in the consumer-packaged goods industry, working across a range of roles that led to owning his own agency. Mary grew up in the Northwest Suburbs as one of 11 siblings and built a 20-year career in pre-press printing before transitioning into project management for a large insurance company.
Married for 20 years and working side by side just as long, they’ve become true partners in every sense. Their strengths are complementary—Curt focuses on ideas, strategy, and relationships, while Mary brings structure, design, and follow-through. They take a concept and turn it into something tangible by assembling all the moving pieces. They are involved in every stage—from concept and development to sales, distribution, and promotion. When everything comes together, the result is deeply rewarding.
Their current ventures include Shop250America.com and Premier Flagpole Services. With Shop250America, they aim to connect people with well-made American products while highlighting the stories of the artisans and small businesses behind them. Many products are made of recycled materials that have their own meaning.
At the same time, their flagpole installation and repair business focuses on a simple but often overlooked need—helping restore and maintain something meaningful to many.
The idea didn’t start with a formal business plan. After logging millions of flight miles, Curt was ready to be more grounded. During COVID, they found themselves looking for something more straightforward and tangible. When a friend needed help installing a flagpole, they saw an opportunity. Driving around town, they noticed how many flagpoles were in disrepair. At the same time, conversations around America’s 250th anniversary sparked a larger idea—creating something that celebrates American craftsmanship and that endures beyond a single moment in time.
There is no typical day. Some are spent refining websites, sourcing products, and developing content. Others involve vendor outreach, proposals, or solving technical challenges. Much of their time is spent learning as they go—taking small steps, adjusting, and moving forward.
Their advice to other entrepreneurs is simple: keep moving and don’t get stuck chasing perfection. Progress comes from doing, learning, and adapting. Being honest about what you don’t know is often where the most growth happens.
Inspiration comes from the work itself—seeing a restored flag flying again or hearing the stories of small business owners who have spent decades building something of their own. Those moments reinforce their belief that meaningful work is often built slowly and steadily.
Success, for them, is steady progress and staying aligned with their values. They are not chasing perfection, but building something honest, supporting good people, improving each day, and doing the next right thing.
What they are creating is more than a single business. It’s an evolving ecosystem centered on craftsmanship, service, and a shared set of values—intentionally nonpartisan, inclusive, and rooted in bringing people together.
Barrington has long been home. They share a blended family with three children and six grandchildren, and their work reflects the same commitment they bring to their community: hands-on, thoughtful, and built to last.
Reach them at: Curt@shop250america.com, or Mary@shop250america.com. Visit Shop250America.com. These Burn Bags featured here can be found at Shop250America.com/collections/burn-bags.
I’m the CEO and Founder of SavorWe, but the titles I care about most are being a husband to my wife, Mary Ella, and a father to my son, Oliver. I’ve always loved hosting and bringing people together. Whether it was hosting dinners at my apartment years ago or building what SavorWe is today, I’ve always believed that some of the most memorable experiences are created around food.
At SavorWe, we curate meaningful connections through shared food experiences. We take Michelin-starred chefs and bring them into unique environments. That can look like an in-home dinner, a corporate event, or a one-of-a-kind experience in a historic building in the city. Recently, we had a dinner at the Chicago Board of Trade and hosted inside the original bank vault, where we paired an incredible meal with storytelling in a setting that people would usually never get access to.
How did you get started?
SavorWe started as a marketplace for private chefs. I was working in consulting at Accenture and saw an opportunity to build an Uber-style platform where people could book chefs on demand. That part of the business is still alive today, but over time we saw a bigger opportunity with curated corporate food experiences. Most events are forgettable, and food is usually treated like an afterthought. We wanted to create something more meaningful while also helping chefs make more money doing what they do best.
What does a typical day look like?
Honestly, no two days are the same. One minute I’m working on partnerships at a historic venue, the next I’m deep in a sales conversation or working through event details. A lot of my time goes into building great relationships with chefs, clients, and networking across the city.
What is your advice for other entrepreneurs?
Just start. It is a grind, and it is not glamorous most of the time, but you learn by doing. Stay gritty, stay nimble, and keep going. A lot of winning is just surviving long enough to figure it out.
Where do you find inspiration?
I try to keep moving and take it one bite at a time. Being around people who are further along than I am helps. And becoming a father gave me a whole new level of motivation. When things get hard, I think about what I’m building for my son and what I’m building for my family.
How do you define success?
Success to me is building something real that creates value for people. If you can make an impact, create joy, and build something you’re proud of, that matters.
What is your strongest advantage for your work?
I think it’s my ability to build real relationships. I’ve spent years building a strong network, and I genuinely like helping people. That has opened a lot of doors.
I really believe the dinner table is the original social network, and we’re trying to bring that back. Feel free to reach me at: info@savorwe.com or visit: savorwe.com.
I’m the founder and CEO of BeSpire TV, a streaming network delivering positive, informative, and entertaining content, and I’m the founder of The Beauty In Beauty Out (BIBO) Foundation, a 501(c)(3) empowering, educating and uplifting women.
I’m an entrepreneur, media personality, and a 20+ year IT consultant who somehow turned a love for problem-solving and a love for helping people into a life of purpose-driven impact. I’ve worked with major corporations and universities, but my heart has always been in helping women lead boldly, live intentionally, and build something meaningful.
At the core, I create platforms that inspire and empower. BeSpire TV amplifies positive voices through media, while BIBO supports, mentors, and invests in women—especially those giving back to their communities. I also speak, write, and produce media content that encourages growth, leadership, and financial empowerment.
How did you get started?
Like many entrepreneurs—by seeing a gap and deciding not to ignore it.
After years in corporate IT consulting, I realized I wanted to build something that aligned with purpose, not just profit. That led to launching BIBO, then expanding into media with BeSpire TV and The B Zone (radio show) to reach and inspire even more people.
“Typical” rarely applies to my days! But they are usually a mix of strategy calls, content creation, meetings, and some mentoring. One moment I’m producing a show, the next I’m reviewing nonprofit initiatives or speaking with women we support. It’s dynamic, mission-driven, and never boring.
What is your advice for other entrepreneurs?
Clarity and consistency will take you further than hype. Know your “why,” stay rooted in it, and don’t be afraid to pivot—but never abandon your
purpose. Also, build your team. You cannot go through this entrepreneurial journey alone.
Where do you find inspiration?
In my purpose and my “Why.” When things get tough—and they sometimes do—I go back to the people I’m called to serve. Their stories, resilience, and growth remind me why I started. Faith, reflection, and a strong support system also help keep me grounded.
How do you define success?
Success is impact. It’s not just what you build, but who you help while building it. If lives are changed, doors are opened, and purpose is fulfilled, then I’m successful.
What is your strongest advantage for your work?
Coming from a technology background has taught me how to analyze, pivot, and solve problems quickly. And I am a pretty good communicator, as well.
Don’t underestimate the power of your story. What you’ve been through is often the very thing someone else needs to get them through.
You can reach me at: info@traciscampbell.com or tsc@bespiretv.com, or DM me at @iamtraciscampbell on Instagram.
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Nanci Gianni (left) and GiGi Gianni speak at the United Nations event focusing on Down syndrome education and awareness.
From Barrington to the national stage, GiGi Gianni is breaking barriers. The 23-year-old Chief Inspiration Officer of GiGi’s Playhouse brought her National “Born to be Heard” speaking tour to the Illinois Annual Conference of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) on April 17 in Galena, Illinois. GiGi shared her life experience as a person with Down syndrome, offering a perspective rarely heard in medical settings.
“I know not everyone sees my life as valuable,” GiGi Gianni said. “But I’m here to tell the truth: my life has value and so do the lives of all people with Down syndrome and other disabilities.” GiGi Gianni has a high-impact career, a strong family life, a boyfriend, and enjoys much travel associated with her work.
GiGi’s mother, Nancy Gianni, Founder of GiGi’s Playhouse, joins her on the panel, continuing a family legacy of advocacy that began right here in Barrington.
Since debuting the Born to be Heard tour at the United Nations last year, GiGi has shared her message in community spaces, corporate offices, political panels, and other Playhouse locations across the country. But this latest stop brought GiGi’s message to a new audience: healthcare professionals on the frontlines of a Down syndrome diagnosis.
GiGi shared her personal story while encouraging medical professionals to look beyond a diagnosis and recognize the full potential of individuals with Down syndrome. For many healthcare providers, this moment can shape how families perceive their child’s future. GiGi’s presence offered a powerful, real-life perspective that challenges outdated assumptions and highlights what is possible with support and opportunity.
For more than two decades, GiGi has inspired a global movement through GiGi’s Playhouse, which has opened 62 Down Syndrome Achievement Centers and serves families in more than 95 countries with free programs that transform lives. What began with a single Playhouse in Hoffman Estates, just minutes from where GiGi grew up in South Barrington, was made possible by a community that rallied around her and children like her, raising funds and showing what inclusion truly looks like.
Today, GiGi carries that community forward as she shares her voice with audiences across the country. With the Born to be Heard tour, she represents the hundreds of thousands of families, friends, and supporters who have shown up over the years, reminding the world of the potential and value of individuals with Down syndrome.
Learn more about GiGi’s Playhouse at gigisplayhouse.org
We are certified organic vegetable farmers. We own and operate a 20-acre certified organic vegetable farm in Harvard, Illinois. We grow vegetables and sell them to our community at farmers markets, local restaurants, and through a CSA program.
We are first generation farmers. Peter was raised in Barrington Hills with a large garden sparking his interest in farming. He has been farming full time for the past 17 seasons. Elizabeth came into the picture in 2019 with a background of event planning and a love for food and nature. We take pride in what we do and the community we have built around our organic farm.
How did you get started?
Peter started farming when he was in grad school at his family home, where he discovered a passion for growing and eating fresh vegetables at a young age. He began by selling to neighbors, teachers, and local restaurants, and over time both his passion and the farm grew. After meeting Elizabeth in 2019, the two have continued building the farm together.
What does a typical day look like?
No two days on the farm are ever the same, but during peak summer season our days typically start early with harvesting, followed by washing and packing, and delivering fresh vegetables to our local community. Weekends throughout the season begin with a 4 a.m. alarm as we head out to the farmers markets.
What is your advice for other entrepreneurs?
Our advice to other entrepreneurs is to take time off for yourself every year for self-reflection, plan the trip, step away and then actually go!
We find inspiration by reflecting on why we started and how far we’ve come. Taking a step back helps put challenges into perspective and reminds us that even the hard moments are all part of the journey.
How do you define success?
We find success being defined by the control we have over our time.
What is your strongest advantage for your work?
The strongest advantage of our work is that we get to grow, eat, and work along with seasons. Farming is a lot of hard work, but it is also deeply rewarding. We truly love what we do and feel lucky to share it with others. Feel free to visit our site: MiddleburyFarms.com, and reach out at: middleburyfarmsinc@gmail.com
Busy moms are used to doing a lot. Yet no matter how hard they work, they often feel like they’re falling behind. That’s where my work as a coach and energy practitioner comes in. I help high performing, multi-passionate moms move from feeling like they’re never doing enough, to feeling energized and inspired, so they can move through life with clarity, excitement, and ease.
Though I grew up in Barrington, I spent the last 20 years in San Diego. I recently moved back and am enjoying our beautiful community and living near family again. (I do miss the beach though!) In my spare time, I’m also an author and speaker. My first book, “Play Together: Games & Activities for the Whole Family to Boost Creativity, Connection & Mindfulness,” came out in 2023 with Penguin Random House.
How did you get started?
I’ve always had a passion for lots of things. And though I worked hard, I felt like I wasn’t seeing the results I was longing for, so I got help and studied up! I learned so much since then, and love that I now get to give to others what I’ve learned to cultivate in my own life. That friction is to be expected (not avoided!), and that flowing and flourishing is possible, even for busy moms!
What does a typical day look like?
I start my day with intention. For me that means centering my mind with meditation (and coffee!) and moving my body. Like any busy mom, my days often look different, and include a mix of client sessions, writing or editing,
podcast/media interviews and/or leading talks, workshops, or community events. And of course, taking my kids to all their fun activities!
What is your advice for other entrepreneurs?
Make friends with other entrepreneurs! Seriously! The friendships I’ve made with other entrepreneurs are invaluable. Not only do we share crucial business ideas with each other, but we also relate to each other which re-energizes and brings new life to our work and life. I feel so strongly about this that I founded and lead three communities: BWC | Barrington Area Writers & Creatives,
Author Moms, and Global Play Network. Come join us!
Being an entrepreneur comes with its own challenges. As a coach and energy practitioner, I have to keep working my system (including taking time to play, rest, and recharge)!
How do you define success?
Success is a beautiful blend of time spent with my family and clients, and on my health, creativity, connection, and curiosity.
What is your strongest advantage for your work?
My strongest advantage is that I have a drive and a talent for bringing out the best in people. I have a knack for uncovering the hidden blocks holding my clients back and for creating unique, playful, and practical steps and solutions that help them get unstuck and on the path to flourishing.
Visit laurahaver.com or reach out on social media @lauramhaver. I have lots of free resources including my Energy Reset.
I am an independent artist and sole proprietor of Gray Wolf Records & Productions, LLC, a creative production company dedicated to professional independent artists and musicians.
At its core, a business exists to generate revenue and support those involved, so a successful business is one that is financially viable.
The product I currently focus on is original artwork on T-shirts, though they are more than T-shirts. The T-shirts are a practical function to create greater potential. When a customer becomes a repeat customer, that is a successful business arc. Reaching that point requires excellent product and a strong sales platform. In art, “excellent” is subjective—if you like it then it is excellent. But metrics help demystify business direction choices. For that, I turn to social media, which offers the unbiased opinions of a wide demographic of people with no obligation to like me or my work.
With over 1,300 followers on X built entirely through organic growth, I have what is considered a small account. I create and publish original artwork daily, accompanied by various titles and musings, all without AI. It helps to develop my ability and direction. These posts are seen thousands of times a day, receiving hundreds of likes, dozens of reposts, and numerous comments. It is essentially a daily peer review to help direct my choices, consisting of thousands of opinions from my followers and those they reach.
My audience is primarily aged 30 and older, distributed evenly across the USA, Europe, and Japan. This tells me my artwork transcends cultural and language barriers, connecting with universal themes of humanity drawn from lived experience. My average engagement rate is 24%, a 700% increase over the typical 3% average and more than triple the 7% rate considered high-quality. This tells me I should prepare for a boutique, passionate customer base.
Years of consistent daily growth shows me that I have not yet reached the limit of my potential. When a published song leads to collaborative discussions with a vocalist in Los Angeles and an electronic musician in Germany, that is proof of success. When a song receives little reaction, there is a valuable lesson in that, as well. When I wake up to a professional geologist in Switzerland and a hobby geologist in the USA discussing the rock composition in one of my pieces, I learn my audience extends far beyond artists. When an artist I admire in Tokyo, Japan, writes to ask about featuring her work on T-shirts in my store, I see that my business attracts worldwide talent.
It is a practical business model with product production handled in-house, to order and cost-efficient, I feel confident investing the time to learn the requirements as I enter this new phase of inviting other artists to feature their work for limited time runs.
See for yourself at graywolfrecords.com
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