—Blake Simmons, Owner, Simmons Fine Jewelry
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
I am very driven by the success and fulfillment of others and I’ve found that when I am genuinely trying to serve others, [they] feel empowered to trust me, my guidance, and my suggestions.
What is the definition of success for you, personally and professionally?
I am very grateful to operate a thriving small business. Every day, I wake up knowing that I have a healthy family who supports me. My family encourages me to be a gracious and patient husband and father, to live as a person of integrity, to celebrate big and small moments, and to always serve others. The success I feel as a husband and father translates into my professional role.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about?
I have two mules that I pack for about a week’s time where I camp, hunt, and just reset. It’s a great feeling to be surrounded by wilderness and solitude and [bringing] home fresh food is pretty cool.
What are some causes you care about?
My wife and I struggled with infertility for several years. After seven years, we turned to “IVF.” We were so blessed with our first set of twins, Krew and Tatum, in 2015 and our second set of twins, Brooks and Riggs, in 2019. Infertility is something that many don’t know how to communicate about, and sharing my story helps connect through grief while inspiring others.
--Chancellor Werner, Store Manager, Bassett Furniture
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
Positive leadership, communication skills, and problem solving
What is the definition of success for you, personally and professionally?
For me, it’s being honest. When I am able to provide for myself and others in an honest, ethical way, then I am successful.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about?
I ran cross country and track in high school and in college. In high school I ran a 15:45 5K.
What are some causes you care about?
I am passionate about helping others find their career path. For a while I did not know what I wanted to do, but I am fortunate that when I did [find my career], I had mentors help me along the way. I love helping people find their path and how to pursue it.
—Robert Anderson, Owner, Heritage Reflections
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
[My] best skill is my passion for knowledge [as] I was a teacher for seven years. When you sell Amish furniture you have to understand the attributes of the eight different hard woods they work with and then share that knowledge with the customers. When they understand the quality and dedication of the Amish craftsman, and the belief to “Do all as unto God”, you start to understand their passion and drive.
What is the definition of success for you, personally and professionally?
[S]uccess has more to do with personal relationships. It is all about your love and friendship to family, friends and others. When I die, no one will remember my house or my car, but hopefully they will remember my compassion, my friendliness and my love for others.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about?
I love Idaho and all of its, fishing, camping, hiking, hunting, etc. I worked for LL. Bean for ten years and became a FFF Casting instructor and ASA archery instructor.
What are some causes you care about?
Giving the current circumstances, my #1 concern is the safety of all people during this pandemic.
--Dr. Joseph H. Williams, Medical Director, Idaho Urologic Institute
What do think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
Half of what we do in medicine and surgery is taking the time to explain the therapeutic options that we are presenting to patients. Especially when it comes to cancer diagnoses, patients and their loved ones are particularly concerned and even panicked.
What is the definition of success for you personally and professionally?
One of my favorite authors, T.H. White, wrote in a book called the Goshawk that happiness is working well, and he likened working well to the function of the latch on a wooden gate. When a wooden gate is working well and closes, it does so with minimal pressure on the gate hinge and the latch parts meet perfectly with little noise and perfect function. In my life, I try to minimize conflict and maximize function and maximize emotional enjoyment.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about?
I would say that I am an excellent dish washer (having done it for several years as a younger man). I am reasonably good at cooking with Dutch ovens.
What are some causes you care about?
I am very concerned about the state of the health of our natural resources here in the great Western United States. It is very complicated, but there is a tense balance between public stewardship of our beautiful places and private ownership.
--Noel Smith, Senior Loan Officer, Fairway - The Smith Group
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
I believe my team brings a level of advisement that really focuses on the long term financial goals for our clients and their families. We make the process simple to understand.
What is the definition of success for you, personally and professionally?
Balance. My family comes first, period. Yet I have many goals in many areas of my life. I’ve realized that when I’m unbalanced in one area of my life that will have a negative effect on the other parts. I want people to know me as a person who loved his community and tried to give back in many ways. But at that end of the day, it’s all about family.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about?
I’m addicted to Orange Theory. I love the workout and the fantastic community feel it brings. I’m a huge golfer [and] I love to play with my kids.
What are some causes you care about?
I love promoting small, local, businesses. I do a lot of this through Social Media. My parents are small business owners and I love the spirit and guts it takes to be a small business owner. Small business are the core of our community.
--Trae Buchert, Owner, Dewalt Cellars
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job/profession?
Maybe a little stability. There is a lot I have done in my life, [so] it helps that I am not afraid to try just about anything. Planting vines, installing trellising, picking grapes, helping Johnna with crush, topping barrels, meeting old friends, and new acquaintances in the tasting room. It’s all fun.
What is the definition of success for you, personally and professionally?
My wife Johnna. I first laid my eyes on her while we were washing our steers at the county fair when we were just teenagers. She keeps me going and holds our family together. I am proud that we have been married for 31 years. I'm blessed to have two sons, and two daughters-in-laws, who are involved in Dude DeWalt Cellars.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about?
At the age of 45, I picked up off road desert racing with my oldest son Lane. I currently ride in the super senior division (50-60 yr old). A lot tougher sport that I had imagined, but keeps me in shape.
What are some causes you care about? I want people to know that each of us have an opportunity for a life that lasts way beyond what we have here on earth, eternity.
--John McRae, Practitioner, Mountain West Medical
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job/profession?
I was jaded early on in my medical training by the "churn and burn" that takes place in medicine. When I started my own practice, I vowed to do things differently. Instead of 10 minute visits, we spend up to an hour in face-to-face contact. The patient never leaves unless they fully understand what is going on with their health.
What is the definition of success for you, personally and professionally?
Life is about the relationships you build. While we fundamentally understand this in our personal lives, I have made it an important part of my professional life as well. I know I'm successful when I connect with a patient on an intimate level that forms a life-long relationship.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about? I have a talent in things that involve noticing little details in life. For instance I am an avid fly fisher, and have a talent for tying flies and using flies in that hobby. I have an innate ability to read maps and can visualize the terrain in the real world.
What are some causes you care about?
Any cause that enhances children’s lives. I especially love supporting the Boy Scouts [and] school sports programs.
--Jon Jensen, General Manager, RC Willey
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
I feel I know how to serve and teach my employees. I have been with RC Willey nearly 30 years and our customers deserve a good experience and our employees deserve a great place to work and provide for their families.
What is the definition of success for you personally and professionally?
Success is happy customers and happy employees. RC Willey sells the things we save our pennies [and it ] should be a joy to help customers make their homes more comfortable.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about?
I am pretty much an open book, I enjoy being a husband and father. I have five awesome kids: Sam 17, Will 16, Andy 14, Ben 13 and Megan 11. They are great students (thanks to their mother) and they love sitting in the hot tub with me as we talk about our favorite movies.
What are some causes you care about?
The business community in the Treasure Valley is a cause I care about. I serve on the Executive Board of Directors of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce and enjoy my interaction with all of the great businesses in Meridian and surrounding area.
Adan David Callsen, Arranger, One Stone
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
There are a variety of skills I bring to my work all with the hope of making students leaders and the world a better place. I am able to express who I am with confidence and demonstrate an abundance of curiosity. I believe that these skills allow me to connect with the young leaders I work beside.
What is the definition of success for you, personally and professionally?
Success is when individuals have both the ability and drive to help others around them. I believe one’s impact and ability to do good in their communities is a key factor of both personal and professional success. Success is being proud of who you are at the end of the day.
Outside of work/profession, do you have skills or talents that most people do not know about?
I have some mad skills in the kitchen! I am by no means a professional chef, but I am a good home cook! I love flexing my creative skills and find exciting new flavor combinations. Lately, like many others, I have been on a bread-making kick and have been developing my own recipes.
What are some causes you care about?
I am deeply passionate about ending homelessness and am so honored to partner with organizations like CATCH, Jesse Tree, and Team FLIP at One Stone. These organizations are doing great things for some of our most vulnerable community members and inspire me daily.
