Christy Webber, founder of Chicago's Christy Webber Landscapes, is one of several entrepreneurs featured on CNBC's new primetime show, Blue Collar Millionaires.
Blue Collar Millionaires, according to CNBC's press release announcing the shows debut, "celebrates the men and women who've gotten rich by getting their hands dirty." The eight-part series premiered July 15; Webber's episode, "Through the Roof," aired July 29.
Webber explained that CNBC contacted her because of her 2013 appearance on Spike TV's now-defunct reality series Hiring Squad. CNBC, Webber noted, was looking to profile people who've created American-made companies out of nothing and wanted to include her in the mix.
CNBC shot Webber's segment in early March of this year and at that time the producers told her the name of the show would be something different than what it ended up being. Webber wasn't and still isn't happy with the title of the show. She noted that they didn't pay her to appear on the show or show her or anyone at her company any of the footage or the finished product ahead of the show's air date.
"I was very nervous initially because they were asking me about how many cars I own or how valuable my house is and that wasn't the pitch that I was given when they approached me to do this show," said Webber. "I thought the show would be about American made companies not about my assets or how much money I have in the bank. I was very nervous about watching my segment since I didn't like how the other people who were profiled during the same episode behaved during their segments.
"When I saw the promo clip I was pleasantly surprised. That made my day, because by sticking to my guns and never giving them revenue numbers or my salary, the promo showed how grateful and humble I am for the success I've had. This played out during my entire segment. I kept on telling the producers that I don't feel like a millionaire. They tried to script me but I wouldn't bite. It really turned out to be true to who I am and what I believe. Yes I'm successful, and this company has grown and due to that success I have things I never thought I would have. Since I didn't take the producers bait, I never came off like I was bragging about my success. The segment turned out better than I could've ever expected."
Webber—who lives in Wicker Park with her girlfriend of 15 years, Jennifer Rule, and their two boys, Oliver and Teddy—is finishing the initial planting and installation work on The 606 as well as large ground-level planting and boulder installation work on the New City development along Clybourn Avenue in Lincoln Park.
Her company continues to be involved with the revival and renewal of Navy Pier by providing ground level planting and installing a green roof at the pier as well as numerous other projects in Chicago.
Webber's episode is available to view ( with restrictions ) at www.cnbc.com/live-tv/blue-collar-millionaires/full-episode/through-the-roof/493972547952 .
More information available at www.christywebber.com .
