Pahl’s Market Featured Employee: Jane Pahl

Employee Name:  Jane Pahl

Number of years at service at Pahl’s:  25 years

Briefly describe your job duties at Pahl’s:  First I just want to say that when I came into this family business as the “out law” I was told by Grandma Pahl “Don’t learn any job that you don’t want to do!”  That was VALUABLE information.  My job duties have changed drastically since my early years.  I know most of our employees now wouldn’t believe I used to bag corn, wash tomatoes, weigh pumpkins etc.  Once we started growing flowers, I found my own niche in the family business.  I am responsible for all of the hard good buying for the market.  I am involved in Apple Valley and Lakeville Chambers.  The whole point of this is an outside sales effort to get customers into Pahl’s. I have volunteered endlessly in the past 10 years to both chambers and was on the Apple Valley’s board of directors from 2007 to 2009.

I started all the fundraising efforts for Pahl’s; this is a big part of my duties.  Pahl’s has been supporting local community organizations since 1988.  We have teamed up with countless organization’s to help provide them with fun and innovative ways to make money for their organization’s needs.  It is our pleasure to continue a cooperative effort in helping our community to grow and thrive for generations to come.

I also work with the managers to have weekly meetings to keep the communications open.  Most of those who work for Pahl’s know each of us may wear a new hat at any given moment.

Tell us about your family…
I am married to Gary Pahl.  We have a daughter, Jamie, who is 22 and in her 1st year of law school at the University of St. Thomas School of Law.  Jack our son is 20 (will be 21 at the end of January) he is in his 3rd year studying Horticulture at the University of Minnesota.  We all work at Pahl’s Market/ Pahl Farms.  It is all in the family and all moments are of course blissful… Can’t forget about Gary’s dog, Chex.  I am sure many of you have seen our Golden Retriever around the farm/market and of course he loves to eat the popcorn that falls on the ground.  He has become an important member of not only our family but also the entire Pahl’s Market/ Pahl Farms family.

What story does your family always tell about you?
The most told story is that I am directionally challenged.  No one ever sent me to take any deliveries.

What is your favorite time of the year?
My favorite time of the year is summer.  I love sunshine, warmth and the smell of summer.  Summer evenings are my favorite, especially when those evenings are spent sipping on vino and spending time with my husband (that is when he is not working).

What is your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
My favorite outdoor activity is golf and spending time with God, family and friends!

What is the farthest you have been away from home? Tell us the most unique experience from that trip.
New Zealand/Australia is the furthest I have been away from home.  Driving on the opposite side of the road and people walking on the opposite side to pass each other, it was very different.

What are three things on your “bucket list”?
• Go to Italy/ travel Europe
• 7 day spa/ golf retreat
• Take our kids on a cruise with us

What do you miss most about being a kid?
I miss not having to do laundry.  I loved playing night games with the neighbors and being more carefree.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I would love to learn to play the piano.

What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
I bought a T. 1000 Pontiac from my dad, who was in a car salesmen, at 21 years old.

If you could choose anyone who would you pick to be your mentor? Why?
I would have liked my mentor to be Princess Diana.  It would be such a neat experience to see her world of Royalty and how she protected her children through it all.  Also, the unfortunate people she helped and all the good she had done. 

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
If I won the lottery I would get my husband to take a little more time off during the busy season, April- Nov., to travel.  I would give some money to a person that really needed it.  I have always wanted to go up to someone and give them $1,000 just because!!!

Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?  Professional tennis player, Chris Evert.

What is your favorite movie?  Ice Castles or Sound of Music

What song do you play the most often?  “We’re all Alone” by Boz Skags

What is the hardest thing you have ever done?
The hardest thing I have ever done was watching my son in the hospital after he fell out of a 2 story window.  Not knowing what the outcome would be was very scary.  Good thing we have such amazing employees who took care of the business while our family was going through such a difficult time.  I thank God everyday for my son’s recovery and the strength that got me through it.