Short description of your business:
I am in the business of feeding people! Whether it is a lovely breakfast filled with family on vacation enjoying home cooking in their own community, but not having to clean up the dishes…or a huge event with thousands of guests milling around enjoying the creative, fresh foods from our catering business, and again not having to clean up the mess.
How many employees are there?
Combined over 50...including our Café’s, MonteVilla and Catering
When was your business established?
I hung out my shingle in Bothell in 1991!
Who is your ideal customer?
One that is hungry! Or for catering, one who has a dream of creating a day of happy people, well fed and enjoying the place they have chosen…but has no idea of how to get there. That is where I come in. I can create it.
What is unique about your business that you feel distinguishes you among others offering similar products or services?
I truly hire very nice and accommodating people. They have a desire to please. Also we try to keep up with trends…so we have one foot in the past, experience and one foot in the future, dreams.
Family information (kids, pets, etc):
I have 3 children! Everyone thinks I have one daughter, named Alexa. I actually have a very amazing son named Peter, age 33 that has his own successful software company. I have a daughter named Clare, age 30 that is the manager of our second Café in Seattle. She is also an amazing person who rocks my world with her compassion and dedication. Alexa who is my sweet baby, age 20 is very present at her namesake Café in Bothell, yet going to college as well.
Now you know about the kids, so I guess this is where Jack, my orange tabby gets mentioned…he is colorful, full of fear (he was a cat I rescued). He is 2 ½ years old and I am very patiently waiting for him to grow old and settle down!
Personal interests or hobbies:
I am passionate about playing soccer...for 20 years I have played between 2 and 3 times a week, almost all year round. I also love, love, love to sing and I play a bit of guitar.
Member of any other Associations or Clubs?
I am the manager of one of my soccer teams(coed) and also a board member for the Northshore YMCA
If money were no obstacle, what would you do?
Be a landscape designer
Favorite entree:
Interesting vegetarian
Favorite candy bar or snack:
Potato chips…don’t have ANY in the house
Favorite color:
Blue…and Green…color of the sky, when we can see it and the color or money
Most exciting trip you’ve ever taken:
I am an observer when I travel, so I don’t think of any of my trips as exciting…but I have been to : Alaska, Vermont, Germany, NY, up and down the West Coast and just a moment in Mexico
Tell us something that would surprise others to learn about you:
I am very intuitive and have studied the connection of the body, mind and spirit in depth. I believe it and live it in my own life.
