PHOTO: Michael Metzger, Michael Metzger & Staff, Inc. - Events.org

to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility. Gordon’suses the complete line of Aveda plant-derived products for hair care, skincare, makeup and lifestyle. “The ingredients in these products are sourcedfrom around the world, reflecting our philosophy that what you put on yourbody should be as healthy and natural as what you put into it,” says Tony.Developing local professionals“Home grown” is another integral part of the Gordon mix. With hisseasoned eye for talent, Tony chooses and develops his stylists. “Before Iwill put new stylists on the floor with clients, they must go thru the‘Gordon Way,’ a one-year rigorous education program in hair design.”Gordon Master Stylist Abby Emer, whose parents reside in Highland Park, isone North Shore native who pursued the Gordon Way.“The training program was a great learning experience and really helpedme grow as a stylist,” says Abby. She now attracts her own clientele, whichincludes local residents she knew from overnight camp, Mirameta inWisconsin. Abby’s mom Susan is also a faithful client; she gets a blow dryfour times a week. Many local restaurateurs are styled by Abby, includingMichael’s Red Hots manager Ben Unger. Abby began her career at Gordonin Ravinia and continues as a master stylist at the couple’s newly openedsignature salon and spa, Gordon in Highland Park on Central Avenue indowntown Highland Park. (The two stores share a phone and website forappointments: 847-266-7777 and www.gordonsalon.com)What’s happened in Ravinia? That salon (465 Roger Williams) is nowhome to Gordon’s New Talent. The “New Talent” concept offers youngstylists—many of whom are locals—an opportunity to learn their craftwhile building up their own clientele. The shop is the first of its kind inIllinois, dedicated to developing those who will become the leading hairprofessionals on the North Shore. All the stylists are professionally educated,licensed and—like Abby—trained in the Gordon Way.The transformation of the Ravinia salon brings another new idea to arearesidents—lower price points for innovative, stylish hair and makeup servicesstarting at $30. According to Ravinia businessman Charlie Barnes, who withhis wife Mari owns The Custom Framer a few doors west, “Our daughtersHannah and Becky love the New Talent Salon. They’ve been getting haircutsat Gordon in Ravinia for years at master stylist pricing. Now they get the sameglamorous haircut as before at an economically advantageous price and, forany 20-something, cost begins to become extremely important.”“The New Talent concept is still in its infancy, but it seemed a naturalfit for Ravinia,” says Tony. “Knowing your marketplace and yourclientele is something we take very seriously. We stay current on what’snew and hip in products, people and fashion and are privy to the latesttrends and styles through our Aveda relationship,” he says. For Gordon’s,staying current also means employing local high school students, whomTony and Pam view as a very important part of the fashion mix. As partof the educational component, New Talent students learn about thesalon business while developing their professional capabilities.Fashioning a work ethicTwenty percent of Gordon’s staff is from Highland Park. Teri Gorleski is 21,an Illinois State University senior and Highland Park High School alum. Teriremembers that she was just looking for some part-time work when shewas 16 and starting her junior year of high school. “My family lives nextdoor to the owners, and when I mentioned I needed a job, Tony and Pamsuggested I come to work for them. I started at Gordon’s in 2001 as a saloncoordinator,” says Teri.Teri has branched out since then. “I helped the Gordons out with theirhome office. Later I was put in charge of their booth at the Sidewalk Sale,which I've run for three years now.” But theirs is much more than a businessarrangement. “Tony and Pam are great and have become my second family.I’ve learned so much from them, and they listen to my ideas, too.”For Teri, the biggest thing about working at Gordon’s is “learning howto work with people, forming relationships with them and handling stressfulsituations,” she says. “For a 16-year-old to come in and grow with the saloncan only help me when I enter the business world full time.”Teri continues to work for Gordon Salons while pursuing her collegecareer, mostly during vacations and summers. You may recognize her lastname because both of her parents are long-time teachers at HPHS. Dad JohnGorleski is the health and anatomy teacher and assistant coach for thebaseball team, and mom Mary works in the writing lab and heads up theHPHS Student Senate Sponsors program. Both Mary and Teri’s brother Eric,currently a senior at HPHS, have been Gordon’s customers since Teri beganworking there.Another HPHS alumnus, Gordon make-up artist prodigy Sami Sleeper, isnow in her third year at Parson’s School of Design in New York City. Teri andSami are among the many local students who had their first job experiencesworking part-time for Tony and Pam as salon coordinators. Others includeHPHS seniors Alex Brown, Loren Zaluda, Lani Goodman and KarenWasserman—not to mention the Gordon’s daughter Jessica, who is a junior.(continued on next page)Spring 2007 / 7