Marketing Manager, Author at Hotel Julien Dubuque

Author Archives: Marketing Manager

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: Ashley Bausman
December 8, 2021

Name: Ashley Bausman

Title: Group Sales Manager

Hometown: Freeport, IL

How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque?
I have been working at the Hotel Julien Dubuque since May 2023.

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 came to Dubuque for my college education at the University of Dubuque. I knew I wanted to enter the hospitality industry, so I applied to the Grand River Center. I planned events and weddings at the Grand River Center. Upon researching Hotel Julien Dubuque, I learned that it is a small business and values community engagement. I was enthused about
accepting the position as Sales Manager.

What are you most passionate about professionally?
I am most passionate about building relationships and community engagement.

What are you passionate about personally? What is your favorite way to
spend a free weekend?
I am passionate about reading, kayaking, and baking. My favorite way to spend a
weekend is soaking up the sun on the Mighty Mississippi.

What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area?
My favorite things to do in the Dubuque Area are golfing, visiting the local restaurants
and bars, shopping, attending the Farmer’s Market, and engaging in community events.

What do you love most about Hotel Julien Dubuque?
The thing I love the most about Hotel Julien Dubuque is how big of an impact it has on
the entire town. Almost everyone I engage with has a significant event that has taken
place at the Hotel Julien Dubuque.

What is your personal motto?
“Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give the best you’ve got
anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between
you and them anyway.” -Mother Teresa

Describe your typical work day.
My typical work day includes responding to emails and voicemails, writing and sending
contracts, sales calls, updating lodging blocks, and attending networking events.

Please share a go-to fun fact about yourself.
A fun fact about myself is that I competed in gymnastics or cheerleading for 17 years.
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!!
Meet The Team : Corey Kruser
September 22, 2021
Name: Corey Kruser

Position: Banquet Manager

Hometown: Dubuque, Iowa

1. How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque? 4 months

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

I am originally from Dubuque and graduated from Senior High School. After high school, I worked at the Grand River Center as an Assistant Facilities Manager for 17 years. Now I am enjoying my time as the Banquet Manager at Hotel Julien. Things I enjoy doing in my free time include kayaking and watching or going to sporting events!

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

I really enjoy kayaking, going on hikes, swimming, and spending time with my son.

4.What are some of your favorite features on the banquet menu?

Beef Tenderloin with Bourbon Peppercorn Sauce is definitely my favorite!

5. What do you enjoy most about working banquets?

My favorite thing about working banquets is the interactions I get to have with the guests. I also really enjoying working in a face paced environment and in banquets you get to do that.

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

“The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary” – Vince Lombardi

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

I am a hobbyist!