COMMUNITY ROOTED

Giving back is in Rachel Gregersen’s DNA. She refers to her company, Beyond Shades, which has a showroom in Oak Brook, as the “little company that could.” Gregersen opened Beyond Shades after working for billion-dollar home fashion companies, and while she started small, she’s beginning to see a larger plan unfold. She views her commitment to charity as part of that plan.

“I started small, but I’ve worked very big on the corporate level, and I have a bigger vision. I want to be important in the design industry in the Chicago area and wherever we should choose to go,” Gregersen says. “But I’m also in the community and I just feel really strongly that we’ve been successful in both. What was a $250 or a $500 donation a few years ago is now $1,000 to a $5,000 sponsorship, so that’s really exciting for a little company.”

That increase aligns with the growth in her company and also the culture she’s created to support the local region. It’s not all about raking in profits, but to support the community in other ways as well. Local charities that Beyond Shades supports include the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry, Lutheran Family Services, PADS in Southwest Chicago, My Block My Hood My City in Chicago, and Cradle: Illinois Adoption Agency in Evanston.

“The Yorkfield food pantry was super important for the month of April. Everyone’s heard about eggs going through the roof, so we gave them a check to make sure that every family they service had eggs,” Gregersen says. “No one looks at Elmhurst as having 600 families, 600 homes that need food.”

While she’s upped her philanthropic donations, on the business side Gregersen has seen steady growth over the past year. Beyond Shades remains one of the country’s most successful Hunter Douglass Galleries. Gregersen continues to operate the physical location in Oak Brook, the shop-at-home service in Elmhurst, and is looking to open a physical location on the North Shore in partnership with an interior designer.

“It’s a big message that our relationships with interior designers and custom builders continues to grow, as well as our direct to homeowners business,” she says. “Those three areas are really going strong for us.”

One additional new local commitment by Beyond Shades is joining the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce. The company is also members of the Elmhurst and Oak Brook Chambers.

Beyond Shades gets its name from providing the broadest selection of window coverings possible. Products include blinds, shades, drapery, shutters, vertical options, valance and top options, and wallpaper and fabrics.

“We adore serving the community, are locally owned, and while we are located in DuPage County, we are growing and serving all of Chicagoland.” Gregersen says. “It’s important to me that we provide the highest quality products and service to the local community.”

The Beyond Shades showroom is located at 17W508 22nd Street in Oak Brook, 630-903-6711, bshades.com.