Page 17 - Indulge February/March 2015
P. 17
each issue, we profile a Jane Wells Schooley sits with
Lehigh Valley businesswoman mentee Merna Noumeh, right,
who has made an impact in the of Allentown, and Danielle
community. This issue’s Valley Joseph of the Greater Lehigh
girl has made quite a splash — Valley Chamber of Commerce.
literally — in the region.
Jane Wells Schooley has always for 43 years ... at the time, I was the something and then it doesn’t work out
national vice president of NOW ... he because the second part is knowing how
sought to help people, a trait she was always interested in recreation. I to run a business.
attributes to her Dad’s influence wanted him to have his dream, but I
growing up. Her father owned and needed it to work. (Stuart is from Wilson Q: What is it like to be a woman in
operated a corner grocery store. Borough and Jane is from Forty Fort just
He routinely sought out people to outside of Wilkes Barre, so settling in business in the Lehigh Valley?
help, even delivering packages on the Lehigh Valley was a logical choice.)
Christmas Eve to needy customers We were really looking for a place A: I think that’s been an evolving
who didn’t have the money to where we know everybody — a small
celebrate the holiday. community atmosphere. ... and now the process for all of us. ... We need to be
While serving as the national vice Lehigh Valley has so much to offer it self-aware and aware of our external
president of the National Organization seems like a big city. environment and work with it. If I had
for Women, she settled in the Lehigh to give advice to a woman starting a
Valley with her husband, Stuart Q: Do you have any advice for business, I’d say find and develop the
Schooley, when they became part best circle of advisers you can, because
owners in Dutch Springs scuba diving someone looking to start a business? nobody succeeds alone. Nobody,
quarry and took complete ownership including myself. I couldn’t do what I
in 1980. A: I think the passion and being an do without help. ... You can’t succeed
She also is a vested owner and alone. If you are trying to do that, it’s
former CEO of Keller Williams Realty expert at what you do is not enough. If the sure path to failure.
in Allentown and remains an associate you’re providing a product or service to Find a sponsor — who speaks up
broker there. Jane also serves as CEO others, that requires integrity, humility for you and you aren’t even present.
of NorthStar Team Development — a and a commitment to lifelong learning. Networking is the opportunity to ask first
division of Dutch Springs. Some of you ... You have to start with a really strong what you can do for the other person. ...
might remember that she ran for the sense of self-worth ... Understand your If you do that, you don’t have to spend
15th Congressional District seat. value and the other part of that is you a lot of time asking for support for
When she is not leading team have to have a big dose of business yourself. ... anything is possible, you just
development workshops or leading a acumen. ... So many people start have to put yourself out there … don’t
new business venture, Jane volunteers businesses because they’re good at quit before you win.
in the community, including with
the Bethlehem YWCA, the Wounded
Warrior Project, Polar Plunges, cancer-
awareness events and a new Women
2 Women Group Mentoring program
through the Greater Lehigh Valley
Chamber of Commerce. Over the years
she has opened her home and her
heart to refugees from Africa through a
federal government program that allows
them to immigrate to this country. Host
families help them adapt to life here
and Jane has kept in close touch with
her 20 “grandchildren” over the years.
She took time out of her day to
share with us some of what she’s
learned over the years in business.
Q: How did you end up owning
Dutch Springs?
A: I’ve been married to my husband
Lehigh Valley businesswoman mentee Merna Noumeh, right,
who has made an impact in the of Allentown, and Danielle
community. This issue’s Valley Joseph of the Greater Lehigh
girl has made quite a splash — Valley Chamber of Commerce.
literally — in the region.
Jane Wells Schooley has always for 43 years ... at the time, I was the something and then it doesn’t work out
national vice president of NOW ... he because the second part is knowing how
sought to help people, a trait she was always interested in recreation. I to run a business.
attributes to her Dad’s influence wanted him to have his dream, but I
growing up. Her father owned and needed it to work. (Stuart is from Wilson Q: What is it like to be a woman in
operated a corner grocery store. Borough and Jane is from Forty Fort just
He routinely sought out people to outside of Wilkes Barre, so settling in business in the Lehigh Valley?
help, even delivering packages on the Lehigh Valley was a logical choice.)
Christmas Eve to needy customers We were really looking for a place A: I think that’s been an evolving
who didn’t have the money to where we know everybody — a small
celebrate the holiday. community atmosphere. ... and now the process for all of us. ... We need to be
While serving as the national vice Lehigh Valley has so much to offer it self-aware and aware of our external
president of the National Organization seems like a big city. environment and work with it. If I had
for Women, she settled in the Lehigh to give advice to a woman starting a
Valley with her husband, Stuart Q: Do you have any advice for business, I’d say find and develop the
Schooley, when they became part best circle of advisers you can, because
owners in Dutch Springs scuba diving someone looking to start a business? nobody succeeds alone. Nobody,
quarry and took complete ownership including myself. I couldn’t do what I
in 1980. A: I think the passion and being an do without help. ... You can’t succeed
She also is a vested owner and alone. If you are trying to do that, it’s
former CEO of Keller Williams Realty expert at what you do is not enough. If the sure path to failure.
in Allentown and remains an associate you’re providing a product or service to Find a sponsor — who speaks up
broker there. Jane also serves as CEO others, that requires integrity, humility for you and you aren’t even present.
of NorthStar Team Development — a and a commitment to lifelong learning. Networking is the opportunity to ask first
division of Dutch Springs. Some of you ... You have to start with a really strong what you can do for the other person. ...
might remember that she ran for the sense of self-worth ... Understand your If you do that, you don’t have to spend
15th Congressional District seat. value and the other part of that is you a lot of time asking for support for
When she is not leading team have to have a big dose of business yourself. ... anything is possible, you just
development workshops or leading a acumen. ... So many people start have to put yourself out there … don’t
new business venture, Jane volunteers businesses because they’re good at quit before you win.
in the community, including with
the Bethlehem YWCA, the Wounded
Warrior Project, Polar Plunges, cancer-
awareness events and a new Women
2 Women Group Mentoring program
through the Greater Lehigh Valley
Chamber of Commerce. Over the years
she has opened her home and her
heart to refugees from Africa through a
federal government program that allows
them to immigrate to this country. Host
families help them adapt to life here
and Jane has kept in close touch with
her 20 “grandchildren” over the years.
She took time out of her day to
share with us some of what she’s
learned over the years in business.
Q: How did you end up owning
Dutch Springs?
A: I’ve been married to my husband
