This Thanksgiving season, we are taking a moment to highlight four of our incredible and successful business partners who apply the spirit of gratitude to their every day lives and leadership styles. So often, it is what we prioritize and practice in our personal lives that lead to great businesses and relationships. We believe their answers will add inspiration to your lives and work as well. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
We asked this question:
On a personal level, what are you most thankful for, and how does that sense of gratitude influence the way you approach your work and leadership?
Dr. John Humphrey Jr. - DDS, KC Dental Works
I am deeply thankful for God, whose presence and faithfulness form the foundation of all that I that I am and all that I have. My faith gives me strength, direction and purpose each day. I am profoundly grateful for my beautiful wife, whose love and partnership fill my life with joy, and for my three amazing children, who bring energy, laughter, and light into every moment. I am also thankful for the meaningful work I am called to do-caring for people, walking with them in their wellness journeys, and witnessing healing that extends far beyond the smile. This spirit of thankfulness shapes the way I lead and serve, reminding me to approach each day with gratitude, humility, and a heart for others.
Mary Sloss - Realtor, RE/MAX State Line
I'm most thankful for my family. My husband, Richard, is my biggest advocate and supporter, and my kids, Ricky and Pearl, are constant reminders to enjoy life’s smallest moments. This gratitude is absolutely ingrained in my profession as a realtor. I bring a relationship-first approach to every client I serve, leading with authenticity and humility, while always having a little fun along the way. This deepens our trust, and ultimately, I treat my clients more like family and friends than a single transaction. After all, we do business with people; so, I prioritize our relationship, not pushing paper.
Doug Bates - Owner, Bates Painting Company
On a personal level, I am most thankful for the people closest to me - especially my family, who support me and my business through the good and the bad days! I started my painting business in college with my father. Those early years of working summers with my dad taught me the value of teamwork, perseverance, and trust. Even as the company has grown, it still feels like a family, and I’m grateful every day for the relationships with my team and with customers that make the work meaningful. I’m also incredibly grateful for the creative side of what I do. The chance to take someone’s artistic vision and help bring it to life brings me great joy. That combination of gratitude and creativity shapes how I lead: with encouragement, respect, and a focus on lifting others up while building something together.
Barb Wright - Founder + Luxury Destination Advisor, Travel Wright with Barb
I’m most thankful for the connections I’ve made through travel — the shared meals, traditions, and stories that remind me how beautifully interconnected we all are. Experiencing different cultures has deepened my gratitude for our shared humanity, and I bring that sense of oneness into every journey I design. It’s not just about where clients go, but how they feel while they’re there — inspired, seen, and connected to the world around them. That gratitude guides my leadership too, encouraging authenticity, empathy, and a deep respect for the people and places that make travel so transformative.