Portrait of a Lady - Julie Bruser

Where are you from?
Grew up in Roselle, IL, a western suburb of Chicago, and after getting married, lived for 10 years in Arlington Heights before moving to Galena in January of 1997.

What did you do before?
I started my career as an advertising copywriter, working at a small ad agency and for one interesting year for Playboy Clubs International.  I advanced to corporate communications management positions at World Book Encyclopedia, where I worked for 10 years, and The Pampered Chef, where I worked for 2 years before moving here.  Once in Galena, I became involved in the nonprofit Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation and served as its director for 8 years, building it from an all-volunteer organization to a staffed one.

What brought you to your current position?
Looking for a change, I decided to try owning my own retail business.  My husband and I were customers at Wild Birds Unlimited in Galena, and noticed the business was for sale.  We investigated the opportunity and in November of 2006 bought this franchise operation.

What has been the most interesting aspect of your work?
It's fascinating to try and figure out what merchandise people will and won't like (not sure I'll ever get that perfected) and how important displays are to selling merchandise.  Pricing strategies are also interesting.  The most rewarding aspect is being able to talk with customers about the hobby of feeding birds...they love to tell their bird and squirrel stories!

What has been your biggest challenge?
Making the business profitable!

Tell me about your family.
I have been married to Tom Saccomanno for 22 years.  I am an only child and my parent still live in Roselle and visit us often.  Tom is from a large family scattered across the country, which is unfortunate, because I love my in-laws!

Any pets?
We have three rescued cats, Dickie and Harry from Safe Haven, and Sammi, who was found abandoned on the side of the road as a tiny kitten.

Who are you inspired by?
My husband, who is supportive, fun to be with, and always wants the best for me.

Favorite movie?
Doctor Zhivago -- I love Russian history.

What is in your refrigerator?
Wine, lots of cheese, fruit and veggies.

If you could invite anyone to a dinner party dead or alive, who would you invite?
Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr--not only am I a big Beatles fan, but I think they lived extremely interesting lives and would make for lively dinner party conversation.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
I've only been to New Zealand once, but it was fabulous and I really want to go back and spend more time there.

Your favorite pastime is...
Bicycling in good weather, reading a good book in bad weather.

What has been your largest personal challenge?
Moving here from Chicagoland, where I had lived my whole life, making new friends and finding a new career was a big challenge, but I'm happy to say everything has turned out wonderful, I'm very happy with the choices I've made and the life I now live, and I would never move back.

What are you most proud of?
Building the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation from a small, volunteer group, into what I think is an important environmental organization in this county that now offers the public great places to go and enjoy nature and the unmatched scenery we have here.

Are you living your dream?
Pretty much...I'm very happy...but who knows what the future will bring.