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Wild Bird Center OF Wheaton
Former Wheaton resident Cathy Matovich decided to advance her hobby of bird watching in 2001 when she purchased Wild Bird Center, a 6-year-old specialty bird shop, from its original owner. "My mother was a big gardener and she broadened that love by adding finch feeders and humming bird feeders," explains Cathy. "After my husband and I bought our first home, a finch feeder was one of the first things I added, and along with gardening, bird watching has become a passion of mine." Describing herself as a "backyard birder," Cathy says, like most of her customers, she is "always trying to figure out how to invite more birds to her yard." Find out more about Cathy and Wild Bird Center in this month's Who's Who in Business Feature.

COMPANY NAME & LOCATED WHERE: Wild Bird Center, located in the Danada Square East Shopping Center, Wheaton. (630) 871-0800,
www.wildbirdwheaton.com

EDUCATION & PAST WORK EXPERIENCE: My husband and I spent seven years working in Africa with Mission Aviation Fellowship before settling in the Wheaton area. I have an Early Child Care and Development degree from College of DuPage, and taught pre-school in Wheaton my years prior to owning the Wild Bird Center.

SERVICES/PRODUCTS OFFERED: The Wild Bird Center is "your ultimate backyard nature store", offering a wide selection of bird seed, bird feeders, bird houses, and bird-related gifts. We offer free bird walks in April and May, every other weekend to local forest preserves. Cathy will also do her best to identify birds for you if you bring in a photo. If she can't ID it, she will find someone that can.

BEST TIME OF YEAR FOR BIRDING: Spring is by far the best time to see the most variety of birds both in your backyard as well as on bird walks. Mother's Day weekend is good for Warbles and other migrating species.

WHY YOU FEEL YOUR BUSINESS IS UNIQUE: Everyone that visits the store has a different yard set up and I feel it is my responsibility to help that person get the most enjoyment out of their yard. So whether it's stopping the squirrels or getting the Gold Finches to their feeders, I want to help my customers be successful.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Visit Wild Bird Center online at www.wildbirdwheaton.com for store specials and the bird walk schedule. The store will be celebrating their 15 year anniversary on May 1, 2010.