Collar company grows

Tim Payne, co-founder of a Hoffman Estates company that designs and makes dog training collars recently moved his manufacturing operations from China to Illinois.

Payne, who runs Outstanding Pet with his wife Yang Lu, said "We decided early on that building our products domestically was the right thing to do for our community and country. And while it hasn't always been easy, we have made a commitment to support American manufacturing and build all our products just outside of Chicago."

He added that the company, which started in 2009, has seen a 15 percent increase in sales since they launched the product here in early January. While there have been challenges in moving the operation here, Payne says there is more expertise in this area when it comes to engineering.

There have been several variations in the product since they started the company while Payne worked in the corporate finance industry. The couple, avid animal lovers who bring their three dogs to the office, now operates the growing business full time. They sell two models of the dog collar directly to the consumer from their website, www.outstandingpet.com, as well as Amazon. They are hoping to be in retail stores by the end of the year.

One model of the training collar is a vibrator mode that feels similar to the vibration of a cellphone while the dog is wearing it. The other is a higher end correction mode, Payne said. Each of the versions, activated with a remote control, sell for about $90.

Payne, 30, said he came up with the idea for the collar while he was in college and ran a small importing business from China. He saw great interest in the category and started work on developing the product. Payne added that his wife, who has an economics degree, has been the driving force behind the business and handles the manufacturing and sales team.

"I handle the finance and Web analytics of the company," Payne said.

He added that he may have gained the entrepreneurial bug from his grandfather, who owned a furniture store.

He jokes that he never thought this is the type of company he would be running. "I'm known as the dog training collar guy."

Expansion plan

With Illinois's senior population soaring, a local senior living community has invested nearly $1 million to meet the growing need. Brookdale Hoffman Estates Golf Road, managed by Brookdale, will expand its dementia care services through the project.

This project is part of a capital and investment and community management joint venture between Brookdale and Health Care Properties. Brookdale Hoffman Estates Golf Road is located at 2150 West Golf Road. The project consists of converting existing space into new apartments to add a service at the community called Clare Bridge Crossings. Clare Bridge Crossings is designed for those who are in the early stages of dementia. Brookdale, the nation's largest dementia care and senior living provider, developed Clare Bridge Crossings based on the newest findings about the disease.

Kudos

Brett D. White, a private wealth adviser with Ameriprise Financial in Oakbrook, was named to the list of "FT 400 US Financial Advisors 2016" published by the Financial Times. The annual list recognizes the most outstanding financial advisers who represent the highest levels of ethical standards, professionalism and success in the business.

To receive the award, a wealth manager must meet six criteria associated with quality client service, client assets under management, professional designations, favorable regulatory history, online accessibility and a minimum of 10 years in the industry. The rankings are based on data provided by brokerages, private banks, registered investment advisers and research by the Financial Times by over 1,000 of the nation's most productive advisers.

Staying healthy

Chiropractic Health Center of Schaumburg, 1015 W. Wise Road, Suite 100, is celebrating 35 years of helping patients regain and maintain their health.

Doctors Therese Rotundo and Carole Swistowicz have served Schaumburg and the northwest suburbs since 1981. Both doctors graduated with honors, receiving their Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa in 1980. They specialize in proven, traditional methods of care, utilizing specific, effective Palmer chiropractic adjusting procedures.

High end retail

Pendulum Lake Forest Partners LLC acquired an 8.5 acre site that is the western gateway to Lake Forest. The site, which previously had been targeted for the development of a Whole Foods grocery store, is located on the southeast corner of Saunders and Route 60, one block from I-94.

Pendulum Lake Forest Partners, a joint venture between Lake Forest-based Smith Capital Management Inc. and Northbrook-based Middleton Partners, acquired the site from a private investor. The purchase price was not disclosed. Smith's initial targets for tenants will be high end retail and restaurant brands, spas and related users.