Abby Palmer, Author at Hotel Julien Dubuque

Author Archives: Abby Palmer

Meet The Team: Baylee Seaman
September 26, 2022
Name: Baylee Seaman

Title: Catering Coordinator

Hometown: Omaha, NE

1.How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque?

I started with Hotel Julien on August 1^st 2022.

2. What path brought you to Hotel Julien Dubuque? Please share a little bit about your professional background and what led you to this industry.

In college, I worked at Eagle Ridge’s Golf Courses doing the Beverage Cart and fell in love with serving people. So getting into my career after college, I wanted to do some type of Event Coordinating or Planning to help people with special moments in their lives.

3. What are you most passionate about professionally?

I love helping people plan events that are important to them. The whole process of getting to meet new people, listening to their ideas for the event, and then helping create the bigger picture to turn their ideas into lifelong memories is something I enjoy being a part of.

4. What are you passionate about personally? What is your favorite way to spend a free weekend?

I like to travel; I recently visited Thailand and got to experience a lot of new cultures, food, and met a lot of new people. I am always looking for new places to go and visit! Some other things that I like to do during my free time is hanging out with my friends and watching a new movie or reality TV.

5. What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area?

One of my favorite things to do is go hiking with my dog, Tito, in Swiss Valley or Mines of Spain. We love going during the fall and getting to see all the leaves change colors and other dogs out and about.

6. What do you love most about Hotel Julien Dubuque?

One thing that I really love about the Hotel Julien is the people, weather it be a big or small problem there is always someone to help out. Another thing that I love about the Hotel Julien is the history that it brings to Dubuque. Getting to help keep the history alive and add to something like that is really special and I am happy to be apart of it.

7. What is your personal motto?

Everything comes full circle.
Meet the Team : Jody Thoma
September 1, 2022
Name: Jody Thoma

Title: Beverage Manager

Hometown: Belmont, WI

1.How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque? Almost 6 months

2. What path brought you to Hotel Julien Dubuque? Please share a little bit about your professional background and what led you to this industry.

I had previously worked in the beverage industry for many years as well as in the hospitality industry. I have an extensive customer service background as well. When the opportunity arose I realized I could not pass it up to combine the knowledge I have with what I enjoy most.

3. What are you most passionate about professionally?

I am professionally most passionate about giving our guests the best possible experience. A place they can unwind whether on vacation or finishing a meeting.

4. What are you passionate about personally?

I am most passionate about personal growth. Each and everyday there is so much opportunity to learn whether intentionally learning something new or by what life brings our way. There is always so much room for growth and I look for that opportunity.

5. What is your favorite way to spend a free weekend?

I really like to spend time kayaking on the weekend. It is a great way to unwind and reset for the week ahead.

6. What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area?

I really enjoy checking out all of the new shops and boutiques popping up in downtown Dubuque. They are all unique and it is great to see downtown Dubuque thriving.

7. What do you love most about Hotel Julien Dubuque?

I love our team at the Hotel. Everyone from day one has been incredible and so helpful. We all work really well together and support each other wherever it is needed.

8. What is your personal motto?

“Have a plan and trust the process. Don’t give up if it does not work, change your strategy. “

9. Describe your typical work day.

Everyday is different for me. I may be focused on an event, or the Riverboat Lounge, working on drink menus, studying the latest trends in the beverage industries, or even looking for our next acoustic act we are having perform. No day is the same, but everyday I am happy to have the opportunity to work here.

10. What is your favorite cocktail we serve at Riverboat Lounge and why you like it?

The White Chocolate Mint Martini is my favorite. Why? Chocolate and a martini in one, you cannot go wrong!

11. Please share a go-to fun-fact about yourself.

I am from Wisconsin and coming here quickly learned in Iowa an Old Fashioned is made entirely different!
Meet The Team : Ben Vogt
June 20, 2022
Name: Benjamin Vogt

Position: Sous Chef

Hometown: Clinton, IA

1. How long have you been with Caroline’s Restaurant? 1 year

2. Please share a little bit about your background: education, interests, activities?

I graduated with a Degree in Accounting at Coe College. I am a huge sports fan, especially the Chicago Cubs and Buffalo Bills. I enjoy playing golf and going to Cubs games in my free time!

3. What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area?

Golf, going to the Farmer’s Market, and listening to live music.

4. What are some of your favorite features on the Caroline’s menu?

All the steaks!

5. What do you enjoy most about working at Caroline’s?

The staff is amazing, Front-of-House and Back-of-House. We’re always working, but we have a good time doing it! We’re always laughing, which makes work a lot easier!

6. Please share a personal motto or quote that you best relate to.

“Attack life” – Greg Norman

7. When you’re asked to share something unique about yourself, what go-to fun-fact do you typically respond with?

I am the shortest male, being 6’1, out of 38 males on my dad’s side.
Meet the Team : Rebecca Williams
June 15, 2022
Name: Rebecca Williams

Title: Assistant Restaurant Manager

Hometown: Delavan, WI and Sligo, Ireland

1.How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque?

I have been with Hotel Julien Dubuque for just over a year.

2. What path brought you to Hotel Julien Dubuque? Please share a little bit about your professional background and what led you to this industry.

I primarily worked in theater, which typically means simultaneously working in food and beverage. I switched to writing advertising corporately for five years but sincerely missed working with people, so I switched back to hospitality.

3. What are you most passionate about professionally?

I’m most passionate about creating meaningful connections and experiences for guests and employees alike. We spend most of our lives at work, so I’m passionate about making everyday count.

4. What are you passionate about personally? What is your favorite way to spend a free weekend?

I am most passionate about exploring! Traveling and finding out what it means to be alive through all mediums- song, literature, theater, food, wandering, and history- simply finding a connection.

5. What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area?

Explore! I love learning more than anything, so driving around the bluffs and hitting historical spots brings me joy!

6. What do you love most about Hotel Julien Dubuque?

The history! I love how rich the whole experience is and walking the well-treaded halls.

7. What is your personal motto?

“Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.” –Rainer Maira Rilke

8. Describe your typical work day.

That’s the beauty of hospitality- everyday is different!

9. What is your favorite entree we serve at Caroline’s Restaurant and why you like it?

I love variation, so currently it’s the Vietnamese Noodle Bowl! Light but filling, bright and super summery.

10. Please share a go-to fun-fact about yourself.

I grew up in Ireland! I feel very fortunate to have two homes and consider myself a citizen of the world.

11. Is there anything else that you’d like to share?

This is the happiest I’ve ever been in my professional life. If you feel stuck, change it! It’s never too late.
Meet the Team: Briana Lee Martin
March 25, 2022
Name: Briana Lee Martin

Title: Massage Therapist

Hometown: Maquoketa

1.How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque?

About 8 months

2. What path brought you to Hotel Julien Dubuque? Please share a little bit about your professional background and what led you to this industry.

After COVID, I wanted to work for a business that was professional and secure, and Potosa was the first place that came to mind.

3. What are you most passionate about professionally?

Making sure my clients feel comfortable and relaxed with me, and making sure their concerns and questions are heard.

4. What are you passionate about personally? What is your favorite way to spend a free weekend?

For fun, I love to make art and garden. I spend most of my free time restoring my future home.

5. What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area?

I love to visit the River Museum and find new places to eat and grab something sweet.

6. What do you love most about Hotel Julien Dubuque?

Being able to hear all the stories of guests traveling and learning what their favorite locations are that they’ve visited.

7. What is your personal motto?

Life’s too short to live it unhappy.

8. Describe your typical work day.

Very busy, I usually have 3-5 clients a day. Lots of interactions.

9. What is your favorite service at Potosa Spa and why?

Shea Butter Massage because it makes the skin so soft and you leave feeling relaxed and smelling great!

10. Please share a go-to fun-fact about yourself.

I like to name my pets after food!
Meet the Team: Lauren Klar
March 18, 2022
Name: Lauren Klar

Title: Wellness Coordinator

Hometown: Dyersville, IA

1.How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque?

Since June 2021

2. What path brought you to Hotel Julien Dubuque? Please share a little bit about your professional background and what led you to this industry.

I have a license in Cosmetology and wanted to work in this type of environment.

3. What are you most passionate about professionally?

The best part about my job is seeing people leave happier than when they arrived.

4. What are you passionate about personally? What is your favorite way to spend a free weekend?

I am passionate about music, and I enjoy spending my free time with my family and friends.

5. What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area?

Going on Target runs!

6.What do you love most about Hotel Julien Dubuque?

The Hotel Julien Management Team makes me feel valuable and appreciated.

7. What is your personal motto?

You never know what someone could be going through, so be kind.

8. Describe your typical work day.

When I open, I get the spa ready and make it a welcoming and relaxing environment. Throughout the day, I try to make the experience better by being the first and last person they see.

9. What is your favorite service at Potosa Spa and why?

I love any type of facial here at Potosa Spa because of how relaxed they make me feel afterwards. I love how fresh my face feels after I get one.

10. Please share a go-to fun-fact about yourself.

My husband and I recreated my grandparent’s wedding photo.
Meet the Team: Carl Busch
December 8, 2021
Name: Carl Busch

Title: Lead Bartender

Hometown: Muscatine, IA

1. How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque?

I have been working at the Hotel Julien Dubuque for 6 months as a bartender/mixologist

2. What path brought you to Hotel Julien Dubuque? Please share a little bit about your professional background and what led you to this industry.

I’ve been bartending for about 12 years, starting out at Winifred’s Catering out of Cedar Rapids, IA. I eventually started bartending at their high-end steakhouse, also called Winifred’s. While working at Winifred’s, I began to experiment with different spirits and house-made ingredients and learned that I was pretty good at making cocktails. In 2013, I entered and won the Iowa’s Best Mixologist Contest hosted by the Iowa Restaurant Association. I took a short break from bartending for about 4 years, working in digital marketing and online tech support before finding my way back into the hospitality industry at 7 Hills Brewing Company. I worked for 7 Hills as a bartender and marketing manager up until I had to be laid-off due to COVID-19. I took some personal time and started my cocktail YouTube channel, Alchemix Bar, with my wife. In April of 2021, I entered and won the IRA’s Top Mixologist contest again, representing myself and Alchemix Bar. But, there’s nothing like bartending for a crowd that enjoys cocktails. So I reached out to the Hotel Julien Dubuque and asked if they needed help. Now, here I am!

What are you most passionate about professionally?

Professionally, I’m most passionate about creating a phenomenal customer experience. That means making patrons comfortable by offering friendly and fast service and great-tasting, consistent cocktails.

What are you passionate about personally? What is your favorite way to spend a free weekend?

Personally, I’m passionate about cocktails and learning about different spirits, modifiers, and techniques to build quality cocktails. I spend a lot of my free time working on and growing our YouTube channel. I also enjoy making wood projects on my CNC and learning about business and marketing.

What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area?

The Dubuque area has beautiful scenery, and I’ve enjoyed hiking the trails at Mines of Spain and walking along the Mississippi River walk with my wife. I also like to visit the local breweries and some of the more unique bars in the area.

What do you love most about Hotel Julien Dubuque?

I love the history and the atmosphere of the Hotel Julien Dubuque. Walking through the doors feels like you’re stepping back in time, but with the modern amenities we’re used to.

What is your personal motto?

Be 1% better every day

Describe your typical work day.

On a typical work day, I get up and take my son to school. Then, I edit content for our YouTube channel and do some web development for websites or do some woodworking. I get ready to head into work by 2:30 to prep the bar and all of the fresh ingredients I need for that night’s shift. When I get home, I’ll usually unwind and take some time to relax before I go to bed.

What is your favorite cocktail we serve at Riverboat Lounge and why you like it?

My favorite cocktail I am serving right now is an original cocktail I created called the Winter Mai Tai. It takes the traditional Mai Tai flavors of almond, mint, and lime and adds winter spices. The cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg elevate the cocktail and make you feel like you’re celebrating the holidays on a beach somewhere tropical.

Please share a go-to fun-fact about yourself.

I played hockey for 6 years and love hardcore metal music.

Is there anything else that you’d like to share?

I can’t wait to see new faces at the Riverboat Lounge and to bring my knowledge of modern and classic cocktails to the patrons who visit the bar.
Meet the Team: Sarah Mescher
October 7, 2021
Name: Sarah Mescher

Title: Salon Lead/ Esthetician/Nail Tech

Hometown: Dyersville, Iowa

1.How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque?

3 years

2. What path brought you to Hotel Julien Dubuque? Please share a little bit about your professional background and what led you to this industry.

What brought me to Hotel Julien was when I teaching at Capri, I wanted to get back to the spa life, so I jumped at the chance to apply with Potosa Spa! I have been in the spa industry since 2014, grew up in the spa industry, and knew early on that I would love working in this industry myself.

3. What are you most passionate about professionally?

Professionally, I am passionate about transformations and helping people feel better overall, whether it’s by providing a service or just talking things out!

4. What are you passionate about personally? What is your favorite way to spend a free weekend?

Personally, I am passionate about traveling, adventure and my dog! I enjoy spending my weekends going to new places and exploring with my friends or my dog, Axle.

5. What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area?

Hiking around the Mines of Spain and listening to my friends, Temple Hill Road, play at Dimensional Brewing Co.

6. What do you love most about Hotel Julien Dubuque?

What I love most about Hotel Julien is my coworkers and clients!

7. What is your personal motto?

Strength is what we gain from the madness we survive.

8. Describe your typical work day.

Booked and busy!

9. What is your favorite service at Potosa Spa and why?

Hard to choose!

10. Please share a go-to fun-fact about yourself.

I am an adventure- seeking dog mom! I also like to skydive!
Meet The Team: Jim Rucker

Name: Jim Rucker

Title: Licensed Massage Therapist

Hometown: Dubuque, IA

1.How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque?

About 9 months

2. What path brought you to Hotel Julien Dubuque? Please share a little bit about your professional background and what led you to this industry.

I got into massage therapy because I needed a new direction in my life, and so the journey continues. After 20 years away from my hometown, I moved back to Dubuque, discovered Potosa, fell in love with it, and so here I am.

3. What are you most passionate about professionally?

I am passionate about providing a healthful and holistic service to the people I work on.

4. What are you passionate about personally? What is your favorite way to spend a free weekend?

I love to ground myself in nature, either in the woods or on the waters in my canoe.

5. What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area?

Visiting historic old shops, fishing, going on walks, and the occasional trip to the casino.

6. What do you love most about Hotel Julien Dubuque?

The historical atmosphere.

7. What is your personal motto?

Motion is life, stagnation is death. Always keep moving forward.

8. Describe your typical work day.

There is usually nothing typical in the work day of a massage therapist.

9. What is your favorite service at Potosa Spa and why?

I really couldn’t pick a specific service. All provide a healthy benefit(s) in some way.
Meet The Team: Lauri Santow
September 30, 2021
Name: Lauri Santow

Title: Catering Manager

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

1. How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque?

It’s almost been a month!

2. What path brought you to Hotel Julien Dubuque? Please share a little bit about your professional background and what led you to this industry.

I have been in the hospitality industry for so many years. Most of my time has been spent on the execution side of the business. Now I have the opportunity to use my food and beverage experience to focus more on the sales and planning aspect.

3. What are you most passionate about professionally?

I am most passionate about working with and for others that share my commitment to providing the highest level of service.

4. What are you passionate about personally?

Personal relationships. My family and friends are the most important thing in the world to me!

5. What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area?

I like to go to Eagle Point Park.

6. What do you love most about Hotel Julien Dubuque?

The staff is genuinely friendly and the history of the building…especially Caroline’s story.

7. What is your personal motto?

Be honest, be kind and be happy!

8. Describe your typical work day.

Nothing “typical” yet…there’s something new everyday!

9. What is your favorite entrée we serve at Caroline’s Restaurant and why you like it?

Pork Tenderloin. It is unique and delicious!

10. Please share a go-to fun-fact about yourself.

I love a psychological thriller.

11. Is there anything else that you’d like to share?

GO BEARS!!