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CEO bagged big game and led a bold life

Before Barbara Christie took control of National Salon Resources, she kicked up her heels as a Radio City Rockette.

August 10, 2008 at 5:26AM

Barbara Christie of Excelsior, the former CEO and president of National Salon Resources, had glamour and flash.

Christie, a big game hunter who also had a stint as a dancer with the Radio City Rockettes, died of respiratory failure Aug. 2 in Minneapolis.

Christie, who grew up in Chippewa Falls, Wis., recalled for her family that she had two dresses, a threadbare one for everyday use and another for special occasions, while growing up during the Great Depression.

She never complained about those difficult days, nor did she talk much about her glamorous gigs, said her grandson Mike Hicks of Plymouth, who now leads the firm.

She made lifelong friends in no time and was more interested in others' stories than her own, he said.

The Depression "instilled a drive in her," Hicks said. "She was incredibly inspirational to be around."

She once co-owned a beauty salon in Chicago and later joined Helene Curtis, working with customers in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

She married Lee Mitchell, and after they bought the old National Beauty Supply Co., they moved to Excelsior in 1969.

Her strength in business was sales and she had a strong work ethic, said her grandson.

"She was a real flashy person," Hicks said. "She was not your typical grandmother."

He recalled the vanity license plate, REDHED, she sported on her Thunderbird, years ago.

She took over leadership of the firm in 1979, after her husband died in 1978.

Together, they had hunted big game in Asia and Africa. She even bagged a Cape buffalo.

The duo donated their trophy collection to the Bell Museum of Natural History at the University of Minnesota.

She married Richard Christie in 1980.

Beginning in the 1970s, she was active with the Children's Cancer Research Fund as well as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

"She was there when she was needed," said Mary Savoie of Shorewood, who is a Boys and Girls Clubs volunteer leader. "She stepped in and helped in any way she could, whether hosting meetings or with her philanthropy."

Christie worked until recent weeks.

"She loved the business," said her grandson.

Her husband, Richard, died in 2005.

She is survived by her son, B. Allan Brown of Fort Wayne, Ind.; daughter, Gloria Hassett of Bradenton, Fla., another grandson and two great grandsons.

Services have been held.