WOMEN in BUSINESS
Jules Fitness & Lifestyle and Sole Sisters
503-577-7328 • www.SoleSisters.us plannyjules@gmail.com
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Jules Moody
Jules Fitness & Lifestyle and Sole Sisters
Jules Moody, owner of Jules Fitness & Lifestyle and founder of Sole Sisters, grew up in Fremont, California, earning a bachelor’s in communication from San Diego State. With husband Bruce — of 32 years — Jules has three grown children, Carter, Landon and Quinn, and one sweet grandbabe, Malachi. She’s also Mom to cat Georgia, pooch Walter, a white Maltese, and her many plants. When the exercise instructor and lifestyle leader is not helping optimize her clients’ lives, the self-proclaimed Facebook Marketplace junkie enjoys interior design and travel to sunny destinations.
Q What exactly does your business do?
Jules Fitness & Lifestyle is based in Wilsonville and entering year 25! Over a decade ago, I branched out to lead fitness classes for all ages and stages here in town. I cater to mostly women wanting to form community connections while building strength and flexibility in a fun, unintimidating and encouraging atmosphere with awesome music — a key component! I supplement my private classes with a few evening offerings at our local community centers. The classes are welcoming, easily modifiable, inexpensive,
and we truly connect as a family — there’s always room for anyone to come check us out! (For my a.m./p.m. classes for women in their 40s to 70s, text me!) I’m also the founding leader of Sole Sisters, a free weekly women’s walk/run group. We host our own annual half-marathon and 10K (starting at Memorial Park). An additional piece of my lifestyle brand is personal shopping for interior décor deals and designing spaces.
Q What keeps you motivated in your business?
I love people! I get energy from meeting and connecting with new women in the community, and I walk away from my classes and Sole Sisters fueled with joy!
Q What are you most proud of professionally?
I’m most proud of launching Sole Sisters 17 years ago with about 10 ladies here in Wilsonville. Now in 14 metro locations — including our first international group in Mexico — Sole Sisters has held firm to our founding principles: free training, support with fabulous volunteer coaches and moving forward in step together. Our motto is “Invite, include and inspire!”
Q What is your advice for young women in business?
A personal investment in relationships will carry and bless them, and you!
Q What do you love most about Wilsonville?
The size of the “Ville” is fabulous. What a great community to have raised three kids.
Sneakers or high heels? Flip-flops
Never-any-leftovers meal? Tri-tip salad
Latest binge-worthy show? Love on the Spectrum
Favorite quote? Be yourself. Everyone else is taken! Salty or sweet? Salty Sound you love? Laughter (She who laughs lasts!)
Christine Lewy Divine Complexions
Christine Lewy, owner/founder of Divine Complexions, is an award-winning esthetician and makeup artist. Although she didn’t pursue a career with her animal science studies at Oregon State, she continues her love of animals by raising toy poodles and Labradoodles with her husband, Matthew, and their six boys, ranging from 9 months to 13 years. Meanwhile, parrot Moe and cockatiel Mango add to the Lewy menagerie. Christine volunteers at Divine Threads and has been a plus-size model — signed by Wilhelmina NY — since 2007. She loves hanging out with her family, sharing fantastic meals and getting massages.
QWhat exactly does your business do?
Divine Complexions is a girly luxurious oasis! We call ourselves a beauty medspa because I started the beauty side as an esthetician, doing makeup, facials and waxing. Then a couple years into my business, my mom joined me as a nurse injector, and thus we started the medspa. On the beauty side, we offer precision facial and body waxing, luxury facials, Hydrafacials, YUMI Lash Lifting, and non-invasive skin tightening. We specialize in makeup application and hairstyling for bridal parties and special events, as well as makeup lessons. The medspa features skilled nurse injectors who do Botox, filler and all the fun things!
Divine Complexions
25700 S.W. Argyle Ave., Ste. C, Wilsonville 503-757-8280 www.DivineComplexions.com
QWhat keeps you motivated in your career/business?
As the owner, I can get caught up in the business side, so I have to keep coming back to what I love to do as a provider of services: makeup application, eyebrow waxing and working with new estheticians. Being hands-on, doing what I love and seeing happy clients keeps me motivated!
QWhat are you most proud of professionally
I’m most proud of starting my business when I was eight months pregnant — with my second son — out of a room in our humble home; and then growing it over the years while also growing our family into eight. We are now in this big beautiful spa location with a talented and passionate team. We just celebrated 10 years!
Q
What is your advice for young businesswomen?
Listen to your heart! That’s where your inspiration comes from on what will make you happy and successful. Follow it, and each step will be shown to you. It’s OK to be scared. Be terrified, but do it anyway! Also, you can grow a family and a business if it’s what God put in your heart. It will teach your children more than you can fathom.
Q
How would you describe your perfect day off?
Having fun with my family and dogs playing outside! No arguing, messes are magically cleaned, and food is made! Moms, I know you know.
Lacy Seber & Holly Nichols
Milano & Lace
Childhood friends Holly Nichols and Lacy Seber are both proud Oregonians and owners of Milano & Lace. Holly studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in L.A. before finishing her bachelor’s in apparel design at the Art Institute in Portland. Lacy attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and the University of Oregon where she studied journalism. With husband Zak, Holly is mom to Milo and Emery. Lacy and her husband, Chad, have three kids, Tristan, Shae and Cash. Together, the business partners volunteer at and support Elijah’s Heart House. In their spare time, Holly and Lacy enjoy pilates, winter sports, hiking, reading, interior design and raising their kids.
Q What exactly does your business do?
We offer a beautiful collective of home, fashion and gifts inspired by faith and friendship. The Milano & Lace Collective can be shopped online or at one of our local pop-up events throughout the year.
Q What keeps you motivated in your career/business?
Each other! We became friends as infants in swim lessons and grew up together. We have always shared a similar eye for style, and because of this, we have always known we would make great business partners. We dreamed up the name Milano & Lace years ago. The name represents our friendship. Although currently in a busy season of raising children, we decided to take some small steps three years ago. We are still in
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
the beginning stages, but we’re growing quickly, learning and making many amazing connections with other women-owned small businesses, and our customers have been tremendously supportive. We have a lot of ideas and plans for the future. We continue to dream together and encourage each other. We know it’s a gift to have such a long-lasting friendship. We know that we can lean on each other and trust that the other is going to be there no matter how hard it may become.
Q What are you most proud of professionally?
We are proud of stepping out in faith and launching Milano & Lace.
Q What is your advice for young women in business?
Find a mentor and connect with others; you can’t grow alone. Start before you feel ready. Just take the first step; a little progress is better than none. Show yourself a lot of grace as you are going to make many mistakes. You are not Superwoman, so just do what you can. It’s okay to change direction. You only succeed when others succeed, so encourage those around you, share what you have learned and cheer them on. It’s OK if your business is not for everyone; you will find your people.
Q How would you describe your perfect day off?
Waking up early for quiet time with coffee and reading, then time to exercise. Next, shopping and lunch together, a spa treatment followed by a quiet dinner. We agree, we would both end the day with a long walk, bath and cozy pajamas on the couch with family, a good movie and dessert!
Shelby Sanders
Shelby Sanders Beauty at Blend Studio
Shelby Sanders knows hair and color. A stylist at Blend Studio and owner of Shelby Sanders Beauty, she is a L’Oréal Professionnel Master Colorist and Educator, and French balayage and hair extensions specialist. Growing up in Aurora, she earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Hope International University in Fullerton, California, followed by studies at Bella Institute of Cosmetology. When she is not making hair look fabulous, Shelby is likely exercising, scrapbooking or spending time with her friends and family, including husband Bryce and their Shih Tzu, Russell.
Q What exactly does your business do?
I truly feel like I have the best job. I get to make women feel beautiful and confident every day. I am a hairstylist specializing in French balayage highlights, hand-tied hair extensions and bridal hair. I get to work with an incredible group of ladies at Blend Studio — each with unique styles and specialties. We each run our own small businesses at Blend but love working together as a team.
Q What keeps you motivated in your career/business?
One of my favorite things about the beauty industry is that it’s constantly changing and evolving with trends, new techniques and products that are being developed. I love
Shelby Sanders Beauty at Blend Studio
8560 S.W. Salish Lane, Ste. 100, Wilsonville www.Blend.hair
finding inspiration everywhere I go while traveling, in nature and observing people. Much of my motivation comes from every person who sits in my chair. I love finding what is best for each person, and how I can bless them in our time together.
Q What is your advice for young women in business?
My advice to young women in business is to surround yourself with positive people you respect. Pay attention to all they do — even the little things — especially how they interact with other people and how they manage their time.
Q How would you describe your perfect day off?
My perfect day is definitely sitting at the beach — preferably a warm one! — with my feet in the sand, staring at the ocean with a journal and a good book.
Q What is at the top of your bucket list?
Spending a few weeks traveling all around Italy with my husband is at the top of my bucket list. I want to see the beautiful countryside, coastal cities and historical landmarks — and taste all of the incredible food and wine!
Q What do you love most about Wilsonville?
I love how Wilsonville is bustling with opportunities and constantly growing, all while feeling like a small town in the care that people have for one another.
Sneakers or high heels? Sneakers
Dark or milk chocolate? Milk Sound that you love? Ocean
Favorite sports team?
Dallas Cowboys & Seattle Seahawks
Pick one superpower. Time travel
Never-any-leftovers meal? Chicken enchiladas
Dr. April Voves
Meadows Health & Wellness
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Dr. April Voves earned her bachelor’s of science in nutrition from Oregon State University. She earned her degree in naturopathic medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine. She is married to Scott and they have two young boys, Thomas and Andrew. In her spare time, she can be found in the pool — or lounging beside it — and reading.
Q What exactly does your business do?
Meadows Health & Wellness is a medical office with a very different approach to traditional care. We believe in treating each individual as a whole person, which means listening to and understanding that they are complex beings with unique traits that make them who they are. We take the time to get to know our patients because we care about the root cause of their issues and long-term improvements in their health, not just quickly treating superficial symptoms — but we’ll treat those, too! At Meadows Health & Wellness, we think healthcare is a lifelong journey that should be a part of everyday lives, and we are delighted to guide our patients on this path.
Q What keeps you motivated in your career/business?
Seeing the positive outcomes of our patients’ hard work. Our model of care requires our patients be as motivated and committed as we are to improving their health. We see it working all the time, and this keeps us coming back for more! It is truly rewarding to be able help our patients achieve their health goals.
Q What is your advice for young women in business?
Have a clear definition of what success means to you. Do what you love, believe in yourself and your ideas, take risks and own your power. That said, don’t let work be your only source of fulfillment, and make time for balance and other joyous activities in your life.
Q What are you most proud of professionally?
Our membership-based care model. Initially, it was really scary to go against how the big insurance companies wanted us to run our business, but we knew there had to be a more efficient way. It’s been more than three years since we’ve made the change, and not only does the business side of things run more smoothly, but our patients love it, too!
Q How would you describe your perfect day off?
It’s no secret that I love a sunny poolside chaise lounge, an ice-cold sparkling water and a captivating book!
Carrie Postma ink + mouse
Carrie Postma is the founder/designer of ink & mouse. Born and raised in Southern California, she now lives and creates in Wilsonville. Carrie earned an associate degree in interior design from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in downtown Los Angeles. She and her husband, Eric, have three grown children, Carson, Ben and Amelia, plus Izzie, their beloved and oh-so-fluffy Bernedoodle. When she’s not creating and helping clients achieve their design goals, Carrie enjoys reading, gardening and painting.
Q What exactly does your business do?
With experience as a seasoned graphic designer, I collaborate with creative entrepreneurs, providing professional and timeless design solutions. From functional websites to polished branding and engaging marketing materials, my goal is to instill confidence in my clients’ brand vision.
Q What keeps you motivated in your career/business?
Having navigated the solopreneurial path for more than a dozen years, I’ve discovered the key to maintaining motivation in my business: my incredible clients. They not only inspire me but also fuel my creativity, consistently sparking my curiosity and propelling me to learn more every day. Watching my clients thrive in their businesses brings me immense joy, reinforcing my commitment to deliver the best customer experience I can provide.
Q What are you most proud of professionally?
My proudest accomplishment in business is fostering enduring connections and relationships with my clients. The trust they consistently place in me for their design projects is an invaluable gift, and it has been a driving force behind the success and development of my business over the years.
Q What is your advice for young women in business?
Looking back on my early business days, I’d recommend embracing creative risks, investing in foundational business growth and viewing mistakes and failures as valuable gifts guiding you through the entrepreneurial journey.
Q How would you describe your perfect day off?
My ideal day off begins with a solid sleepin, then it’s off to Lux Sucre for a chai and a treat. A little pampering at Divine Complexions is always a good idea or grabbing lunch with a friend before we wander the aisles of Homegoods. A chill salt float or hot sauna at Soak Box Spa is the perfect midday stop, and the evening wraps up with a delicious dinner with my hubby.
Recent binge-worthy TV show? Love on the Spectrum
Sneakers or high heels? Slippers
Coffee shop drink order?
Caramel chai with oat milk
Sound that you love?
My kids laughing
Never-any-leftovers meal? Italian
Dark or milk chocolate? Milk
Kat Granum
Hustle & Heart Homes/ Kat Granum Real Estate
Native Oregonian Kat Granum of Hustle & Heart Homes/Kat Granum Real Estate is a real estate broker in the Portland area. While earning her bachelor’s degree in sociology and global studies from U.C.-Santa Barbara, she met her husband, Sean, and subsequently returned home to her roots, settling in Wilsonville. The couple has three children, Paige, Hayley and Jackson, not to mention Roxy, a French bulldog/Boston terrier mix. When she’s not volunteering at her kids’ schools, Kat is most likely running, attending a boot camp class, cooking or organizing and hosting events.
Q What exactly does your business do?
I help people buy and sell homes, helping make their dreams come true! I run my business 100% off referrals and pride myself on creating lifelong relationships with my clients.
Q What keeps you motivated in your career/business?
Making my clients and my family happy, and creating a fun community is what motivates me.
Q What are you most proud of professionally?
In 2023, I was recognized as No. 14 out of 15,000 Realtors in the state of Oregon “Individuals by Volume.” This rank put me in the top 1.5% of real estate professionals in the United States.
Q What is your advice for young women in business?
You are doing better than you think. Do not be afraid to jump before you are ready and take risks. Have confidence in yourself, but never stop learning. Surround yourself with people who are more successful than you. Ask questions. Listen. Innovate. Put yourself out there — the worst that can happen is you get a ‘no.’ That just gives you a sign to spend your energy in another place! Entrepreneurship is not easy. There are a lot of long days, nights and weekends, but hard work pays off! The work you put in directly correlates to the benefits you reap. The only person responsible for your success is YOU!
Q How would you describe your perfect day off?
Morning workout, brunch with family and friends. Glass of wine in the sunshine at my favorite winery. A walk in Graham Oaks Nature Park finished with dinner at home and snuggles on the couch with my husband, kids and dog.
Q What is at the top of your bucket list?
I would LOVE to rent a villa in Tuscany with my family and closest friends.
Chanelle Walters
Lux Sucre Bakery + Café
Born in England and raised in Washington state, Chanelle Walters, CEO of Lux Sucre Bakery + Café, is an awardwinning pastry chef, most recently earning Oregon Bride Magazine’s “ Best Desserts Portland” for a second year in a row. She graduated from the Oregon Culinary Institute in pastry arts. Her husband, Brandon, enjoys her work as does their toddler, Eleanor. Cats Patricia and Clyde also love the treats at the Walters house and appreciate the love and support the family gives the Meow Village Cat Rescue. Before she became a pastry maven, she worked in reality television in L.A. In her time away from the café, Chanelle enjoys photography, brand management and watching movies.
Q What exactly does your business do?
Lux Sucre Bakery + Café has become a local hub for coffee, pastries and lunch, but we got our start offering cakes and dessert catering for weddings and events. Our heart lies within the wedding industry, and we have become one of very few full-service dessert catering bakeries in the Portland Metro area. We specialize in decadent and gorgeous dessert displays that wow the senses of guests and tackle all of the details so our clients don’t have to worry on their big day. Lux Sucre is an inclusive space and all our welcome.
Q What keeps you motivated in your career/business?
I’m consistently motivated by our team’s passion and creativity, the fun trends of the food industry, and the love and dedication of my husband and business partner.
Q What are you most proud of professionally?
I am most proud of taking on the task of expanding our business fresh out of the pandemic and trusting in our team to help us grow. It truly takes a village of people to expand any small business, and I’m so honored my team believed in my vision and that our customers stood by us.
Q What is your advice for young women in business?
Believe in yourself and your abilities but also be incredibly realistic about your products, market and business plan. Start small, and grow as you go.
Q How would you describe your perfect day off?
My perfect day off begins with a restful night’s sleep where I wake up naturally without an alarm. I venture out and have brunch with a mimosa and enjoy the sunny day with my family. When I return to work, I am made aware that everything was smooth sailing without a complaint.
Q What is at the top of your bucket list?
Ownership of a wedding venue and multiple Lux Sucre locations.
Pick one superpower. Invisibility
Kristine Marsh
New Foundations Preschool
Proud Oregonian Kristine Marsh, the owner/director of New Foundations Preschool, first started in child care at Kid Connection, Tualatin Elementary’s beforeand after-school program. She graduated from George Fox University with a business degree in organizational leadership and management. With her husband, Tory, she has three children, a 2-year-old and newborn twins. Four-legged family members include Tess, a border collie/lab, and Addie, a Rhodesian ridgeback-Belgian Malinois mix. Kristine enjoys the family’s annual camping trips, traveling, card-making and crafting.
Q What exactly does your business do?
We provide the communities around us with the highest quality of year-round preschool. New Foundations Preschool combines a warm learning environment that is clean, healthy and safe for children with progressive teaching styles to promote creativity and individuality in each child. We are an intimate threeclassroom preschool that prides itself on our “home away from home” feel. We utilize a mix of play and curriculum-based material all focused on the continual success of your child. We provide care for children 18 months and up.
Q What keeps you motivated in your career/business?
New Foundations was formerly Bizzy Bumblebee Preschool, a part of this community for more than 15 years. This is really where my passion for working with children and my desire to own a preschool developed. I worked there in the mid-2000s, starting as an aide and making my way to assistant director before I moved on to continue to develop my professional experience. I knew I always wanted to return to working with children in some capacity, but it wasn’t until I started looking for childcare for my oldest son that I truly realized how limited the options were, and I knew I needed to be a part of the solution.
Q What are you most proud of professionally?
My greatest accomplishment is following through on my dream to own a preschool even when the timing wasn’t perfect.
Q What is your advice for young women in business?
Just take that first leap! You don’t have to have it all figured out. It is okay to learn as you go and learn from your mistakes. Be comfortable being uncomfortable; that’s where our biggest growth comes from.
Q How would you describe your perfect day off?
My perfect day off would be spent on a warm beach watching my children and husband play in the water while I stay shore-side with a good book in hand.
Amber Fowler
The Dental Foundation of Oregon
Amber Fowler, executive director of the Dental Foundation of Oregon, was born and raised right here in the Willamette Valley. She earned a master’s degree in public administration from the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University. Professionally, she is a member of Philanthropy Northwest; personally, she volunteers at The Blanchet House and Portland Dachshund Rescue. Her own Dachshunds, Rose and Mini Cooper, keep Amber plenty busy, as does traveling, thrifting and painting.
Q What exactly does your business do?
The Dental Foundation of Oregon is a 40-plus-year-old charitable arm to the Oregon Dental Association. Our mission is to advance oral health education, provide charitable care and coordinate resources for children and vulnerable communities.
Q What keeps you motivated in your career/business?
I am motivated by remaining a student of life, along with international travel. Expanding my worldview is also deeply important to me in every facet of my life.
Q What are you most proud of professionally?
I am proud of leveraging my 20-plus years in philanthropy, allowing me to
The Dental Foundation of Oregon 8699 S.W. Sun Place, Wilsonville 503-594-0880 • www.SmileOnOregon.org
launch The Fowler Family Fund, which exclusively supports Pacific Northwest animal welfare, LGBTQIA+ and financial literacy organizations. Since 2007, my invitation-only family fund supports grant and in-kind requests twice annually and has distributed a modest $126,000 over its lifespan.
Q What’s your advice for young businesswomen?
Place yourself in a position of strength and plan for the future. Surround yourself with financial, healthcare and legal experts to help you navigate your personal and professional life. Find yourself an mentor who will inspire and encourage you, and lead fearlessly. My mentor, Kristi Lord, co-founded L’Avant Collective at the start of the pandemic, and her company has experienced phenomenal growth. Kristi demonstrates how you can chase your dreams and always remain aspirational!
Q How would you describe your perfect day off?
Shopping at Aurora Mills Architectural Salvage followed by lunch at Lux Sucre.
Q
What is at the top of your bucket list?
Inspired by last season’s final episode of The Amazing Race, I would love to walk across the top of the iconic Seattle Space Needle.
Q What do you love most about Wilsonville?
I enjoy the close proximity to nature and Graham Oaks Nature Park.
Sneakers or high heels? Keds!
Molly Kaleikilo
Innovative Dance
Born in Portland and raised in the tiny town of Scholls, Molly Kaleikilo has been a proud citizen of Wilsonville since 2000. She studied dance at the University of Oregon but graduated from Portland State with a degree in health and fitness promotion with a minor in sports medicine. She and her husband, Chris, have two grown children, Emma and Malia, along with Kawika, a sweet old yellow Lab and Keoki, a black Lab. Molly donates her time to the Miss Oregon Volunteer Pageant. Even though she is the owner and director of Innovative Dance, dance remains her favorite pastime. She also enjoys fitness classes, traveling and spending time with her family.
Q What exactly does your business do?
We provide an exciting and fun learning environment for ages three through adult. The professionally trained staff is dedicated to teaching and providing each student with the best possible instruction in tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical jazz and acrobatics. There are classes for the beginner and the student interested in competitive dance. We desire to provide not only a fun experience for each child so they can grow but also a safe and secure physical environment.
Q What keeps you motivated in your career/business?
Making a difference in the lives of hundreds of kids in our community every year.
Q What are your most proud of professionally?
Staying in business for more than 25 years, especially through 2020–2022. The many forced shutdowns were so stressful. I’m grateful for my family and dance family’s support, helping us make it through.
Q What is your advice for young women in business?
Stay true to yourself, and always do what you know is right. There are a lot of people who will pressure you to do what they want and make you feel bad or guilty if you don’t. You have to live with your decisions and be able to look yourself in the mirror every day.
Q How would you describe your perfect day off?
Somewhere sunny with my husband and girls. We’d sleep in, have coffee in a lawn chair and spend our day on a beach or poolside. I love adventure and activities, but some days you just need to relax.
Q What do you love most about Wilsonville?
When I opened my studio, there were barely 10,000 people here. I loved the small-town community. This aspect still exists, just in a different way. People care about our town and want to be involved in keeping it a great place to live and raise a family.
Rene’e James
Boones Landing Physical Therapy
Raised in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, physical therapist Rene’e James, co-owner of Boones Landing Physical Therapy, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology from North Dakota State. She earned her master’s in physical therapy from the University of Minnesota in 2002. With her husband, Jason — a DPT and co-owner of the clinic — they have two daughters, Macy and Maggie. Baxter, the family’s mini Australian shepherd, works as the clinic’s service dog. Rene’e enjoys running with friends, spending time with her family, camping, water skiing, alpine skiing, traveling, drinking coffee and wine tasting in the Willamette Valley.
Q What exactly does your business do?
We provide physical therapy for various injuries and chronic conditions either referred by a provider or self-referred. We serve our patients with one-on-one care, and they remain with the same PT for each treatment. We utilize manual therapy along with strength training to help patients achieve their goals.
Q What keeps you motivated in your career/business?
After being a PT for 22 years, I am still amazed at how much we can learn each year from our patients and colleagues.
I enjoy the uniqueness of each patient. We have an incredible team at our clinic, committed to treating people with care.
Q What are you most proud of professionally?
I am proud of my husband and I for taking a leap and opening our private practice here in Wilsonville. It has been the most scary and rewarding accomplishment of my life, second to having kids.
Q What is your advice for young women in business?
My advice is to never be afraid of facing challenges. Fight for yourself and stand up for what you believe. And remember to lean on others; women have some amazing stories to share.
Q How would you describe your perfect day off?
A nice long run in the morning with a friend followed by coffee. A calm sunset water ski with family and friends, followed by a campfire to end a perfect day!
Q What is at the top of your bucket list?
Skiing in Switzerland with my family, eating fondue and drinking great wine
Q What do you love most about Wilsonville?
It’s been very easy to get to know people in this community. I love how so many people here are connected and help each other out! Wilsonville has been a beautiful positive place to raise a family and own a business.
Melissa Nichols
Lovely Vision Design
Although Lovely Vision Design
owner Melissa Nichols is a native of sunny Southern California, she loves her adopted home of Oregon. With her husband, Justin, she has two boys, 3-yearold Isaiah and baby Noah. They also have two cats, Maizy the Maine Coon, and Simba, an orange tabby. When she’s not creating dream spaces for her clients, Melissa enjoys reading, décor shopping and dance fitness.
Q What exactly does your business do?
I own an interior design business. I call myself “your design bestie” because I help my clients with all their home styling needs, whether that is picking out furniture, the right paint color or accessorizing bookshelves. I assist my clients with making design decisions and brainstorm with them to come up with creative solutions. I ultimately help them design a space that fits their goals and lifestyle.
Q What are you most proud of professionally?
I got the opportunity to furnish an empty Portland
condo and choose paint and lighting, as well as add built-in wall details. It was the most fun I have had on a project, and the clients loved how it turned out.
Q What keeps you motivated in your career/business?
The thrill of seeing a space transform. I truly enjoy helping people create spaces they love.
Q What is your advice for young women in business?
Believe in yourself and trust your instincts. There have been times I doubted myself or felt inferior, but I pushed through, and it always worked out better than I thought it would.
Q How would you describe your perfect day off?
My perfect day off would be a day filled with activities but also relaxing. Eating all my favorite food, drinking unlimited coffee, going to fun shops, looking at cute things, being with my husband and kids. Everyone is in a good mood and no one needs anything from me.
Q What is at the top of your bucket list?
I’d love to go wine tasting in Tuscany, all the while eating amazing bread and pasta.
Never-any-leftovers meal? Sushi
Sneakers or high heels?
Gladys Monroy Boutwell
Insurance by Design
A proud Latina born and raised in East L.A., Gladys Monroy Boutwell moved to Wilsonville in 2011. She is an employee benefits broker at Insurance by Design. Before joining the insurance industry in 2013, she received an MBA in international business and leadership and management from the University of La Verne in California. Gladys is a No. 1 best-selling author with her book “Health Insurance Secrets Revealed” and has an upcoming book “101 Creative Ways to Attract and Retain Quality Staff.” In her spare time, Gladys volunteers through the Wilsonville Rotary Club as well as with other nonprofits. When she’s not donating her time, you can find her hiking, running, or attending spirits and food tastings — and then discussing them on her podcast, “Like the Way You Drink.”
QWhat exactly does your business do?
I help businesses become an “Employer of Choice” by providing employee benefits to their staff. I work with businesses to pinpoint what’s most important to them and their staff, and then I create benefits packages to fit those needs. I’m licensed in Oregon, Washington and California with health, life, property and casualty licenses.
What makes my work unique is how I look at the whole business and how benefits will help them attract and retain quality staff. Because I am bilingual and bi-literate in English/Spanish, I can serve businesses with Spanish-speaking owners or staff. I’ve learned to simplify the complex world of health insurance so that it is easier to understand.
Q What keeps you motivated in your career/business?
I truly value education and giving to others. I get to educate employers, employees and individuals on how to understand their health insurance. I also get to give of myself to them. I get to do that through insurance.
Q What are you most proud of professionally?
I received the “Madrina de Salud” award from Familias en Accion. I realized the difference I could make in the community by helping others through education, finding tax credits and enrolling in plans that fit each individual’s needs.
Q What is your advice for young women in business?
Do 15% more than anybody else. Do the things nobody else wants to do. The 15% does not seem like much, but those consistent activities will compound.
Q What is at the top of your bucket list?
I’d love to spend two months in Europe, enjoying the beauty and exploring.
