Melinda Holm & Associates Blog

Howdy! I suppose that’s the salutation you expect to hear from a southern gal born and raised in Texas.  Truth be told, I’m a Northerner at heart.  Growing up in a house filled with Detroit native [heartbroken] Lion’s fans, I’m not what you might call a “typical cowgirl.” Upon graduation from U of Houston, I drove a large U-haul truck to Chicago to pursue my love of improv right here in the coldest city on earth.

Is there any money in improv?  No, none at all.  However, I truly believe that when you combine talent and love you can expect a masterpiece.  Chicago is and has been the key to becoming the best you can be when it comes to improv.  I have performed on the same stage as Chris Farley, Mike Meyers and Dan Akroyd-award in itself!!  I am having the time of my life and meeting my best friends here J

Some things I’ve taken up since being around you Midwesterners:

·         Bicycling

·         Ann Sathers

·         Goose Island brews

·         Gasping in disbelief when the sun warms the city to a comfortable 75 degrees

·         Lowering my standards on Mexican food

What can I say? Chicago hasn’t been that bad to me.  I certainly do miss home, but everyday I get closer and closer to becoming a Midwesterner myself!

- Annie Donley, Office Coordinator, Melinda Holm & Associates

I ended up moving to the big city while in college at DePaul University.  I grew up in the Northwest suburbs and will always have a special place in my heart for Woodfield Mall, IKEA, Septemberfest, above-ground pools, and kickball in the caul-de-sac. You suburbanites know what I’m talking about.  Still, the city has been good to me and there is nothing better than summer in Chicago.  I worked through college at the best bar in Wrigleyville, The Full Shilling.  How can you go wrong with free hot dogs before and after every Cubs game?  Genius.

Melinda Holm & Associates took me in shortly after graduating from college.  I have been here for 2½ years and, although it may sound trite, I consider myself to be extremely lucky to work amongst such a dynamic group of ladies I can both learn from and have a great time with.  Although this is my first “real” job, I find it impossible to believe that anyone out there is having as much fun as we are; while still getting so much done. 

I’ve recently kicked the nasty habit of smoking. Although I do miss it immensely!  On a side note, if anyone else is looking to ditch the cigarettes, I highly recommend cold-laser therapy.  I wasn’t really even looking to quit, but figured I would give it a try after receiving a couple sessions as a gift.  It worked great and is a great mood-booster as well.  Thanks Mom!  Since quitting smoking, I’ve been on the hunt for a new hobby.  I’ve been looking into cooking, but I wouldn’t say that I have a knack for it.  So far I’ve done a lot of cookbook reading and made one chicken breast all by myself.  Progress!!

Some other fun facts about me:  I’m a complete klutz and am incapable of having a drink and not incurring some sort of semi-serious injury.  I still sleep with the same teddy bear I’ve had since I was 2 years old.  (It’s not weird, I swear.)  I find Shia LeBouf and The Burbs to be more comforting than chicken noodle soup on a winter day.  I am a Netflix addict.

- Amy Sroka, Recruiter, Melinda Holm & Associates

Although I was born just outside of Chicago and lived here for the first five years of my life, I grew up in Rochester Hills, MI (about 30 miles north of Detroit).  After graduating from Western Michigan University, I worked for three years selling wine for a distributor in the Detroit area.  I then decided it was time for me to get out of Michigan so I moved to Chicago where I was still close to family and friends but more opportunities in a larger city. My first job here in Chicago was selling copiers which was definitely not a fit (I was personally escorted out of many buildings in the loop).  After that, I decided to take a job bartending when looking for a new full time position.  A couple years and a few bars later (The Gin Mill, Hi-Tops, Suite Lounge, and a Wrigleyville Rooftop), I decided it was time to get back to work.  Although bartending was a fun chapter in my life (I even met my husband!), it was time to move on… 

That’s when I started here at MHA.  I started from the ground up and learned from the best!  I’ve now been here since 2006 and have really enjoyed my time–I work with a great group of people.   That’s my journey thus far and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m a true believer that everything happens for a reason!

- Nicole McGrath, Recruiter, Melinda Holm & Associates

We decided to write a little about ourselves so that candidates could get to know us better.  So, here is my story

I started out in the advertising business right out of college.  I was extremely fortunate to land at some great agencies and work with very talented people.  Account management was challenging, but rewarding at the same time.  A friend asked me to move out to Los Angeles with her when I was employed at Draft Worldwide.  The timing was great for my personal life, but it was hard to leave a job that I enjoyed so much.

Off I went to L.A. with no plan, no job and very little money!  I found a position with a production company called “The Forge” which was ran by actress/producer, Geena Davis and her husband (now he’s her ex), producer/director, Renny Harlin.  Then I moved over to Turner Pictures as second assistant to the President.  Turner was folded into another major studio since then.  I was on the right track for a fulfilling career, but I realized that I’d have to devote more of myself to the movie business than I was willing to.  After leaving Chicago, I really missed the people and the culture.  L.A. was an adventure for me, but there is no place like Chicago so it was time to move back.

After returning, I worked at Wunderman and Foote Cone & Belding in account management.  Again, I was on a great career track, but something was missing.  After doing some soul-searching, I found that my lifestyle warranted a different professional path.  Melinda was my recruiter at the time and she suggested that I try this side of the business.  I am forever grateful to her!  She has become a dear friend. 

I decided to take a gamble and give it a try. Now I’ve been a recruiter for over 12 years and I made the right decision.  The workload is just as demanding as the agency side of the business, but it is a different type of challenge.  Through our work, I do believe that we’ve made a positive difference in many people’s lives and that is a great feeling.

Outside of work, I simply like to have a good time, stay young at heart and live life to the fullest!  I spend as much time as I can with my great friends and my wonderful family.  I love doing just about anything outdoors and if it’s on the water, a boat or an island, even better.  I love fishing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, boating, running, camping, etc.  Usually there is some sort of partying involved with my crazy group of friends.  My husband and I have a 14 week-old daughter and a 22 month-old son.  They keep us insanely busy, but we adore them and they’re well worth it

So, that’s me!  I have enjoyed getting to know our clients and candidates through the years.  It has been a fun ride and we are so grateful for the amazing people we get to work with on a daily basis.  I look forward to continuing to work together!

 - Lisa Casper, Vice President, Senior Recruiter, Melinda Holm & Associates

That I love cycling, running, power walking, and used to teach a spin class at Downtown Lakeshore Athletic Club.  I currently teach Master’s Swim at FFC in Oak Park.  So, as you can see, my second career will involve some sort of athletic prowess.  Actually, when I move onto said new career at 70 (only 41 years to go, ha!), I plan on opening up a biking/touring company and leading trips from Alaska to Chile.  You wonder why I am telling you this?  I thought it would be nice for you to know each of us and the life behind the recruiter you know (and love!)

Other things to tell you – I love wine, beer and margaritas. Okay, martinis too.  I am married with a 14 month old son.   As you know, we live in Forest Park and have for 6 years.  Before starting Melinda Holm & Associates, I worked for another recruiting firm for 4 years.   Then, I left and rode my bicycle around the country, pulling a trailer with a sleeping bag, tent and an army knife for protection.  I rode for 5 months, from Atlanta to Key West, north to the Florida panhandle, west to Texas and then out to Utah, up to South Dakota and back to IL.   I actually like to do a lot of long distance cycling and love riding TOMRV and RAGBRAI (if you know what those are, let’s ride!).   I have a huge fondness for RAGBRAI as I am founding member of Team Bar Dogs, and met my husband on RAGBRAI.   I do love Iowa!

So, I hope that gives you a sense of me and I look forward to getting to know you better too!

Have a great day!

- Melinda Peterson, President/Owner, Melinda Holm & Associates

Okay, I know some of you are wondering why did we move Melinda Holm & Associates to Forest Park?  We had been downtown for 10 years at various locations (yes, we are celebrating 10 years!) and then we move to God knows where?  Well, I will enlighten you!  (On a separate note, look for a fall 10 year anniversary party!)

My husband and I happened upon Forest Park 6 years ago when looking for a house.  We lived downtown but after we got married, we wanted a decent size yard and a place for my husband to grill.   We were thinking about where to move when some friends had a 4th of July picnic in . you guessed it, Forest Park!   When we started our house hunting, we still were looking in Oak Park (for those of you who don’t know, FP is right next to Oak Park and just south of River Forest) but our realtor found a super cute home (and cheaper!) in Forest Park and we were sold.   Since we moved here, we have seen Madison Street transform from primarily bars to cute clothing boutiques, art galleries, cooking schools, and restaurants like Francesca’s Fiori and Gaetano’s.  Luckily, there are still bars though too!!!

The Forest Park community is wonderful and the town is putting a lot of effort into bringing new business in.   We park for free out here, and although we are technically in the suburbs, we can see the Sears (Willis?) Tower and are 10 miles from the Loop.    Our office is on Madison Street and you can drive (Harlem and 290), take the blue line, or ride your bike like I used to do when commuting downtown.  Okay, I can go on and on!!

Plus, in today’s economy, the fact that the mortgage is considerably less than our downtown rent was a consideration, as well as being close to my 14 month son (okay, selfish reasons for sure, but nonetheless, important!)

We look forward to having you come visit us, and perhaps we can sell you on a Jimmy’s pizza or at least a beer at Shanahan’s!

-  Melinda Peterson, President/Owner, Melinda Holm & Associates