New year means decade in business for window cleaner

By Jackie Pilossoph For Sun-Times Media | @helpsquadjp January 2, 2014 6:24PM

Biegel said he spent the first five years pounding the pavement to establish a client base that includes the owners of this Winnetka home. | Jackie Pilossoph/For Sun-Times Media

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Updated: January 3, 2014 2:43AM

When Jeff Biegel rang in the new year, he wasnt just celebrating the start of 2014. Biegel toasted to the 10-year anniversary of his Northfield-based business, Fish Window Cleaning.

This has worked because I surround myself with amazing people who care, and who are trusted by our clients, who feel comfortable letting them in their homes, said Biegel, who bought the St. Louis-based franchise in 2004.

Biegel, who lives in Highland Park with his wife, Monica, is no stranger to owning a business. In 1977, he bought Irvings in Niles, a restaurant he had for nine years, which he said taught him the value of hiring good employees and keeping them happy.

I learned the importance of customer service and pleasing people, and that starts with the people who work for you, he said.

Biegel sold Irvings in 1986 and spent the next 17 years as a commodities trader. In 2004, he decided to leave the business and search for a franchise to buy.

I got involved with a franchise broker who showed me a bunch of different companies, Biegel said. This seemed perfect for me because it involved my natural born skills being a people person and selling.

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New year means decade in business for window cleaner