Meet John Crager of J. Crager Alternatives For Your Hair

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Crager.

Thanks for sharing your story with us John. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Actually, I went to beauty school, just west of where my salon is today. Vogue Academy of Beauty Culture. Just west of Cicero, on Irving. 1978-79 is when I attended worked as a banquet waiter & receptionist at “Taylor Made Hair,” (Taylor St. at Racine) … Thank you Renee Greco.

Slowly forward to May 1981, Lincoln Pk. To Vishek Hair Salon. 809 W. Armitage Ave. (Armitage at Halsted) 400 sq. ft. of 1 shampoo bowl on iron water pipes, 2 cloth director chairs, some handmade shelves and with a rent $200 a month.

New name … The Armitage Salon, then joined Ultracut, then back to, The Armitage Salon, then to Images then for the Last time back to, The Armitage Salon, then Heads or Nails … Then downtown to 400 E, Randolph, where I opened Salon Rivera. This whole journey (and a journey it was) took me up to 1 yr. Always wanting to learn more, I searched out different educators & one of the best products in the industry.

Matrix Hair Essentials. Arnie Miller, Owner of Matrix, an Innovator, Motivator, Visionary… He coined the Synergy System of Salons, wanting hair skin and nails care to work d as one.

Working with Leo Passage or Pivot Point, they brought on the best talent the world over… Xenon of London, along with Pearl Chandler one of Chicago’s premier hairdressers, Hedi Marie Redke, The Alterie Power Hair team n educator always doing hair.

I was blessed to be able to work with and learn from the best in the industry. With the desire to learn came the desire to teach & share.

12 years ago, I moved to. 333 N. Michigan Ave. The Brian Blanchard Salon which is where I was introduced to and began working with women suffering hair-loss due to Chemotherapy & Alopecia. Thank you, Brian.

These past 12 years have been a learning experience. You see there are no schools or educators to teach “Wigs” (until now).

By finding the best wig providers, learning that cutting wigs or toppers is so different, with the years of experience as a hairdresser. I found the ability to adjust human & synthetic products, for just what the client is looking for, without it looking like a wig. You need to understand, listen, and most importantly to care for what the client is going through. I have developed the best consultation approach, a Delivery system for cutting the clients hair down prior to the wig fitting, and multiple follow up appointments to educate the client on the styling, maintenance, care, and if necessary continue to care for the needs of the client during this time.

My current drive is to give this gift to as many hairdressers as I can. Hair-loss is the new “non-fatal epidemic ”

The program is “WE CAN TALK”.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With my current vocation its lack of information. I’ve had to find, learn, stumble, etc. to get the information I have this is why what I have is a gift… to arm more hairdressers with the knowledge about hair-loss, to keep it simple so the client can understand it. Having the correct answers, not guessing. That kind of information will elevate hairdressers to the level we should be. Oh yea, don’t believe everything on the web.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about J. Crager Alternatives for your Hair… – what should we know?
I am a wig/hair provider assisting women with hair-loss due to chemo, alopecia, trichotillomania, medications, etc.

I have a privacy room where clients can come in discuss what their issue may be, find out what options there are. I explain with them my role, as a hair-loss specialist, wig provider and hairdresser.

I am most proud of my ability to assist women with what they need to carry on with their daily lives.

We do everything we can to make sure the client has every available option presented to her without any hidden surprises. We stand by our product and service 100%.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Honesty, quality service & products across many levels of hair-loss…

Wigs, hairpieces (toppers), trichology products, Minoxidil, Low light Laser treatment, vitamin supplements….

Pricing:

• Wigs & Hairpieces start from $350 -$3500

Contact Info:

• Address: J.Crager Alternatives for your Hair
  3950 N. Avondale Ave
  Chicago Il. 60641
• Website: Jcalt.com
• Phone: 773.248.6844
• Email: John@jcalt.com
• Facebook: J.Crager Alternatives
• Twitter: J.Crager Alternatives
• Yelp: J.Crager Alternatives

Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.