Mechele Duke, Owner, Rain Salon & Spa
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
I believe the best skills I have is the ability to bring out of people what they don't see in themselves and providing a place where trust and autonomy can thrive.
What is the definition of success for you, personally and professionally?
For me. success is seeing others succeed [and] assisting in people’s growth, both professionally and personally, so they can become who they are meant to be. One important factor for any success is trust [and] building trust with the team, guests and community.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about?
When I am not doing hair or leading people, I spend time in the outdoors and working on my mind and body. This might not be a special skill but it does take skill to do it. I also do not keep a calendar for all the things I do. I have a good memory and although it fails me from time to time, most things I do is through memory.
What are some causes you care about?
There are many causes in the world that have an impact in my life but the main one is water. We raise money for IRU every year to ensure we here in Idaho [have] clean water. Globally, we partner with Charity water to assist on building wells in areas that have limited access to clean drinking water.
Who is someone whom you admire, and why?
I admire my husband. He has shown me what unconditional love looks and feels like. He is my biggest support and gives me courage to keep going.
Laurel Meyer, Owner, Roost Gift and Home
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
A respect for others, a passion for great service, mixed with a little bit of perfectionism seems to be a winning combination in our business! I mention respect first because I believe in treating everyone honestly and respectfully, including customers, employees, and vendors. Treating others with compassion and respect always comes back full-circle and makes for an easy and rewarding environment.
What is the definition of success for you, personally and professionally?
Success for me is enjoying what I do and being able to bring enjoyment to others through the success of our business. We regularly hear customers exclaiming their excitement, friends laughing together, and shoppers humming and tapping their toes as they browse through the shop. I am thrilled that we have created a happy place that folks like to come and enjoy.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about?
My husband and I both get great satisfaction out of finding something distressed or neglected, and refurbishing it into something beautiful. It began for us in 1989, as a young, newly married couple looking for an affordable first home. We enjoyed working together to re-model and beautify our home, doing everything ourselves. I have become proficient using a variety of tools of the trade including a skill-saw, tile saw, and power drill.
What are some causes you care about?
As a business, we care about our community as a whole. The community has been very good to us, and we understand how important it is to give back. One of our favorite local organizations is Love INC of Treasure Valley. Love INC partners with dozens of local churches and hundreds of Christian volunteers to identify and offer assistance to community members in need.
Who is someone whom you admire, and why?
As a successful entrepreneur, my father exemplified the proper balance of work and family. He was very successful in his business, but has always put his family first. I admire his calm, steady personality, and I am grateful for the unconditional love he has always offered our whole family.
Leslie Mauldin, Artistic Director, WineGlass Arts Development
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
As an artist, I cannot help but bring authenticity to everything I do, be it singing, directing, or advocacy. All I have to bring authentically is what I know through life experience, education, and instinct; I lead with that realism and I have been told that my emotionally raw and vulnerable approach to what I do brings honesty and charisma to my artistry and strength to my leadership positions.
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
I define success as my ability to find happiness, and more importantly, true joy, which I believe is much more complex and rewarding than our current societal interpretation of happiness. My children have brought joy into my life that is more fulfilling than I can describe. The joy or grief I feel in my personal life is something I reference instinctively in my artistic work and in communicating material and content to an audience. A successful artist touches hearts, and makes the audience feel a collective, while still allowing individual and intimate understanding of the material portrayed. If I can achieve this, I feel successful.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about?
I can dance! I grew up with aunts who owned dance studios, and my undergraduate minor is in dance. Most opera singers blanch at the moment choreography is mentioned. I love it! In fact, I served as the choreographer for Opera Idaho’s production of both the Mikado (with Joe Dewey) and Pirates of Penzance. I write original music, some of which can be heard on the album “Roots" by Avenue B, and have also written original music for my latest venture, a duo called “Pink Fusion” which is a collaboration with pianist, Sean Rogers. [In] my “spare” time I’m writing a book entitled “How to Ignore and Deny Your Way to Spiritual Enlightenment” [and] will be available on Amazon. I am also board chair of Victory Charter School in Nampa.
Jessica Greer, Owner, Elle M
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
My background is in accounting and finance and I call upon those skills all the time in order to run our boutique. I’m also a quick learner, which has helped me learn the fashion industry in no time, and my charisma has helped me build strong relationships with our clients.
What is the definition of success for you, personally and professionally?
Personally, success for me is doing my best to live my passion, raise a healthy family and have a long and happy marriage. Professionally, success for me is owning a popular, thriving boutique while being a well-known community leader and supporter.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about?
I started my entrepreneurial journey with a steampunk jewelry business. I would do shows, dress in my steampunk gear and everything. I loved it and I miss it! I also hold an active real estate license to help my husband with his business.
What are some causes you care about?
Shopping local and supporting other small businesses is something I care deeply about. We have some incredible business owners in the area and I love watching them be successful with the help of our community. We need to support local or these businesses will disappear.
Who is someone whom you admire, and why?
Moms! Whether they own a business, have a traditional job, or have decided to stay home, I admire all the moms out there, especially after having my first baby. Raising a child is one of the toughest jobs out there and is not for the faint of heart.
Chantyle Taylor, Lead Transaction Coordinator, Parke Pointe Management Services
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
I love people. I am a very organized person and I like to think I am a good team player for our team!! I am motivated, humble, and hungry! [I] started with John L Scott almost 10 years ago as Front Desk. I quickly moved into Transaction Coordinating, and now I am in Operations for the company. It’s been so fun, challenging, and rewarding all at the same time!
What is the definition of success for you, personally and professionally?
I am the mother of 4 of a 10-year-old boy, 8-year-old twins (boy and girl), and ~2-year-old girl, and a wife to my junior high sweetheart. Going from Front desk to Operations has been an overwhelming gratifying achievement. I never thought I would be here, but I am and I love it.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about?
I love to be on the lake in our boat with my family. I am a surfer [and] it’s my happy place! I like to ride motorcycles. My husband has done well teaching me. I grew up dancing since I was 2 years old and I actually performed with Disney and traveled with my dance team all over the US.
What are some causes you care about?
John L Scott has a [non-profit organization] called the John L Scott foundation. We raise money to better our local St. Luke’s Children’s hospital. Three out of my four kids were in the NICU, which makes this close to my heart. We do a lot through the community to help raise money for this foundation. I also help put together a Turkey Bowl every year that raises money for the Idaho Food Bank.
Who is someone whom you admire, and why?
I admire Ellen DeGeneres. She has such a heart of gold and the kindness that feeds off her makes me more than happy. I look up to my mentor, Michael Shumway. He is teaching me to be the best person I can be, and he genuinely wants me to be successful in my career. Then there is my husband. We have grown up together and I just admire everything about him. He is amazing with my kids.
Sheila Sartorius, Marketing, High Desert Harley Davidson
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
Connection. It’s my passion on why I do what I do. I love to see people enjoying themselves and having an experience together that will connect them moving forward.
What is the definition of success for you, personally and professionally?
Finding the balance between what you do and who you are. Creating a business that provides great for my team and their families.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about?
I have always been an artist as long as I can remember. I also plan vacations for people for no cost as a hobby to show people how easy and risk free it is to see the world.
What are some causes you care about?
I have been involved in volunteer projects for many different organizations. A big part of my core belief is you can’t receive if you don't give. Time is the most valuable resource I have to offer. I committed 2 years ago to send friends and family to a life-changing event called UPW free of charge so they too can inspire people they come in contact with. I also volunteer my time and travel to help change 14,000 plus people at these events.
Who is someone whom you admire, and why?
My daughters. They have taught me through the years how to be soft in this world, how to love and maintain hope, and how even when you don't realize it, [the] way you live matters and influences those around you.
