La Grange salon owner overcomes cancer to grow business

LA GRANGE – Ross Bartolomei, owner of Salon Hype in La Grange, isn't letting cancer stop him from growing his successful business, as he recently opened his third location in Oakbrook Terrace. He's continuing to use his lymphoma diagnosis as motivation to keep his salons as healthy as possible, by reducing potentially harmful chemicals in the hair products used.

“About a year before my diagnosis, I began looking at getting ammonia-free products,” said Bartolomei, 47. “I’ve always thought of natural alternatives because I couldn’t believe we were dealing with all these chemicals on a daily basis. I believe the continued exposure contributed to my cancer. Lymphoma is an environmental cancer. There’s no research that points to it being hereditary.”

Bartolomei, who’s been doing hair for about 30 years, said he’s always been healthy and had no family history of cancer. He believes the effects of the chemicals used in salons are cumulative and could negatively affect the health of his employees.

“Your skin is like a big sponge, and it absorbs chemicals in everything from hair color to toothpaste to makeup,” he said. “I believe that all these cancers we’re seeing, it can only be a result of something in the environment. Only 3 percent of the salon industry uses ammonia-free products, and it’s amazing we can offer this to our clients. Ammonia is so bad for health and the environment, and it’s not good for hair.”

Bartolomei believes the healthier products are one reason all three Salon Hype locations are so successful. He opened the La Grange location at the end of 2006, after moving to Western Springs from Chicago, where he worked as a stylist for many years. Four years after opening in La Grange, Salon Hype’s second location opened in Burr Ridge.

“I built the building in La Grange and wanted to bring people to the west end of town. We found a lot of clients moved to La Grange from the city and wanted to continue the same quality and level of service,” he said. “We grew from just me and my wife to a staff of 47.”

Bartolomei’s wife, Carissa, runs the business side of the salons. She said she and her husband make a “great team” because he excels in the creative aspect of the business, while she takes care of the day-to-day operations, which is another reason the salons are so successful.

“My husband is fantastic at educating our stylists and creating looks and colors. I come from a business background, and I take that and apply it to the salon,” she said. “We have amazing talent here, and we’re like family.”

Bartolomei was diagnosed with lymphoma in late summer 2013 after suffering from intense back pain. He said his doctor knew something was wrong and ordered a scan, which showed enlarged lymph nodes. After a biopsy confirmed the doctor’s suspicions, Bartolomei began chemotherapy within a week.

“It was devastating. I didn’t know what it all meant and I didn’t know if I’d live or not,” he said. “I couldn’t work for about nine months because the chemo made me very sick and I just didn’t have the energy. It stopped me in my tracks.”

Carissa said that since his illness, she and her family have tried to live healthier lives, by avoiding chemicals and trying to use only natural products.

“We do things differently now, and we’re more conscious of what we’re putting into our bodies,” she said. “We want a safer salon, too. We don’t want the harsh chemical smell in our salons. People want a cleaner lifestyle, and they don’t want chemicals in their hair or on their skin.”

Bartolomei is now in remission, but cancer is still in the back of his mind. He said the support of his family, employees and clients helped him get through the grueling treatment.

“Everyone was so amazing – they picked up the pieces and helped out where needed,” he said. “I’m not 100 percent, and I could still relapse. But I’m doing what I love, which is growing my business and working with my clients. Being challenged in business and by my clients makes me happy.”

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For information about Salon Hype, visit salonhype.com.