A Family Business at Caton Commercial

Beth McCandry

family business

It is a family business of the Caton Commercial Real Estate Group. But it wasn’t always like that.

Bill Caton founded the company in 1984. Although his son and daughter worked for the company as teenagers, they did not immediately follow in their father’s footsteps.

“I’ve seen their two personalities,” said Bill. “There was no way you could force her to do anything, so I didn’t. In fact, I just pushed them away. And they both came back. “

Steve started working for the company in 2002 and Christina joined the company in 2006.

“I was very protective of my father and it’s tough business. It is, [as] I said trust comes with a lot and I wanted to be here to somehow say no, “said Christina. “I say no a lot, but it’s because I want to protect what Dad built and all the effort and what Steve put into it.”

The brother-sister duo have learned a lot from their father over the years.

“Sit in a room and watch my father listen while I talked most of the time during a meeting. And then ask the right questions and really turn it around. Really use my ears more than my mouth, ”Steve said. “And you don’t have to understand everything that’s going on at any given moment, or deals or analysis, to read the room. And that has always been something I learn from my father all the time and I appreciate that. “

Bill also had to overcome some learning curves when his children joined the company as he was used to making all the decisions.

Proud father

But now this trio is a team.

“My favorite part is that I hang out with them on a regular basis. And also to be a proud father, to see them both grow professionally and develop their skills, ”said Bill. “And to take the platform I created to a much higher level.”

Seeing his children shine is one of the best assets for this proud father.

“We go to a commercial venue and there is a panel. Whenever Steve is up there talking and sharing his experience and everyone in the room is being zoomed in, those are proud times, “said Bill. “Whenever my daughter is the chairman of the chamber and speaks at events, I choke on me like now.”

“Because I’m his favorite,” said Christina.

Aysha Ashley Househ reported on Naperville News 17.

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