Julita Michel has felt comfortable in the leadership role as a woman in business since grade school.
It all started when Michel and friend and business partner, Karen King, were paper girls for the Daily American Republic from sixth grade through ninth grade. Being the only female carriers, a DAR reporter joined the girls on their route and did an article on women's liberation. Winning Paper Carrier of the Year, Michel began her role as a leading woman.
Receiving her business aspect from her father, Michel went on to attend Three Rivers College for business management and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a business administration accounting degree. She also graduated from Barbizon School of Modeling and after graduation signed and did work with a modeling agency in St. Louis.
Fast forward to 2017 and Michel, along with her husband of 23 years, Marty, are at the helm of three Key Drugs stores; two in Poplar Bluff and the other in Dexter.
Key Drugs originally opened in 1962 by Marty's father, Dr. Kenneth Michel, and he purchased the store from him in the early '90s.
Michel transitioned into Key Drugs after she and Marty were married and has been a part of the business from that time.
As Key Drugs co-owner and accountant, Michel oversees the employees, accounts payable, takes care of office work, helps with pharmacy tech work and makes everyday business decisions.
"With three stores I stay very busy. The business seems to grow everyday, and that is a good thing," she said. "Take care of your customers and treat them right," she encouraged.
While Michel said being a woman in business is great, she described it as stressful at times when trying to juggle all the responsibilities women have these days.
"Women work a lot of hours, then go home and take care of all the work at the home," she said.
To keep a work and personal life balance, Michel encourages ladies to take time for themselves and relax. "Try to take a girl's trip," she said. "Girl talk can be very powerful!"
She added the change in the workforce over the years has opened so many doors for women now.
"My mom told me if there is a will, there's a way. If women have the will then they will succeed," Michel said.
Michel said the best advice for not only women in business, but anyone, is to just be themselves.
"I really think people should just be who they are," she said. "Being yourself and honest will take you farther in life."
Michel also encouraged everyone to be happy with themselves and kind by helping someone along the way.
"Whether someone is less fortunate than you or not, someone can always use a helpful hand," she said.
Michel does not only have a kind heart for people, but animals have always been very close to her heart as well. She has served as treasurer of the Animal Welfare Alliance of Southeast Missouri since the group was formed nearly nine years ago.
"I want to see animals taken care of and have a better life," Michel said.
She, along with the group, host two large fundraisers each year to help with the cost of spaying and neutering animals, as well as to have a shelter built on already purchased land. Art for Animals was recently held in April and the second fundraiser, held in November each year, is Howling at the Moon.
"Since forming the group, we have spent over $40,000 to have area animals spayed and neutered," she said.
In addition to the Animal Welfare Alliance of Southeast Missouri, Michel is the treasurer for the Senate Bill 40 Board, whose mission is the promotion of county initiatives in developmental disability services. She also serves in Chapter DG P.E.O., which is a philanthropic educational organization that gives scholarships for higher education to women in the U.S. and throughout the world.
"It has become a lot more of woman's world," Michel said. "Women can definitely do anything they would like to do."