Portrait of a Lady Meet Nancy Peterson, owner of Direct Marketing Strategies. Nancy started DMS in 1993 after a career in sales and sales management for Dun & Bradstreet. She and her husband Dave moved to Galena permanently in July. They are happy they can run DMS from Galena and go to Chicago to visit!

 

Where are you from?

I grew up in Evanston just north of Chicago. I lived in several suburbs prior to moving

here this summer.

 

What did you do before starting DMS?

My positions at Dun & Bradstreet required a lot of business travel. O’Hare was my

second home for many years. Prior to working for D&B, I had several sales positions in

the Chicago area. So, I guess it’s sales and marketing all the way through.

 

What brought you to your current position?

Moving the company here has been a dream of mine. After my dad died in April of this

year, my husband and I decided to work out of Galena, consolidate our business travel

and wear blue jeans most of the time. I am also planning to establish a family foundation

in 2008 to help organizations in Jo Daviess County.

 

What has been the most interesting aspect of your work

There are so many talented business people in our lives. It’s fascinating to learn from

their experience and at the same time offer support and help in areas of expertise that are

not their talents. It is a blast to solve business problems with collective resources and

learn in the process.

 

What has been your biggest challenge?

Keeping up with the technological aspects of direct marketing. In direct marketing there

are many specialized fields. When you consult with clients you have to be cognizant of

how technology impacts the ways they reach their customers. The other challenge is the

fieldwork our business sometimes requires. I am burned out on business travel!

 

Tell me about your family.

I am the oldest of two girls. My “baby sister” lives in Lake Bluff, and we are close. I have two great sons – one lives in LA and one goes to Michigan State – and a terrific husband, who is my business partner and best friend.

 

Any pets?

Maggie is my black lab mix and my best girl. She’s about 8. Trixie is a bi-eyed husky

mix. She is three, adorable and quirky. Both are rescue dogs. I am a big supporter of

humane societies.

 

Who are you inspired by?

I am inspired by people who accomplish things with integrity, love and humility. I don’t

care if they are a loving mother or the CEO of a corporation, or the head of a not-forprofit organization.

 

What is you favorite book?

My current favorite book is Three Cups of Tea. Here’s a guy who is building schools in

Afghanistan and Pakistan, taking out terrorism by educating their children, especially

girls.

 

Favorite Movie?

When I was about nine years old I wanted to be Hayley Mills. I have seen the original

Parent Trap a million times, and Pollyanna a lot too. I own both and rent anything I can

get with Hayley Mills in it.

 

What is in your refrigerator?

This is unusual, but I have some real crab. I thought I would make a fancy crab casserole

and salad for dinner this weekend.

 

If you could invite anyone to a dinner party dead or alive, who would you invite?

I would invite the grandfathers I never met, my relatives from Norway and Sweden,

Oprah, Jesus, Tommy Lee Jones and all of my best gal pals for some serious talk!

 

What is your favorite vacation spot?

I loved cruising in the Mediterranean islands, exploring Greece and Turkey. I also loved

Scotland. I’ve been to Costa Rica three times and that is one of the most beautiful places

in the world.

 

Your favorite pastime is…

Reading. And…theater, music, sports, drinking wine with friends. And if I had time,

scrapbooking, cooking, going to movies. And traveling more.

 

What has been your largest personal challenge?

Losing weight. When I get my hair cut they always thin it and I lose a pound then. But it

grows back!

 

What are you most proud of?

Being a good stepmom to my boys and balancing home life with a business. I am grateful

to be independent and free to pursue happiness and success.

 

Are you living your dream?

Close. I’d like to do it without 20 extra pounds!