Shantelle Dedicke is the Founder and President of the Frances Roy Agency, a marketing and advertising firm where she leads creative campaigns while prioritizing her team as her “#1 daily work priority.”

• When she’s not crafting client strategies or serving on local boards, you’ll find her in the kitchen cooking up inspiration or walking her rescued fur babies.

We caught up with Shantelle to learn about her 4:30am routine, the tool for organizing creative projects she can’t live without, and how this introvert successfully “plays an extrovert on TV” in the fast-paced world of marketing.

What’s your current job title and where do you work?

Founder/President – Frances Roy Agency

What’s your morning routine?

4:30am wake up, 5am wake up again. Shower/Skincare/Stretch. 6am begin fixing breakfast for Jack Declan, Moogie, and Charlotte (my fur babies). They are each rescues and deserve the absolute best life I can offer them. I should really be eating what they eat but I usually drink coffee instead. I always complete the NYTimes Connections game and the Apple News mini and full crossword puzzles. Then take the pups for their individual walks.

Describe what a typical workday looks like for you.

Depending on the day, I flow between managing my business and supporting my team to client meetings, calls, and board service. I batch in person requirements by day and geography to max my efficiency. Lately, I’ve established a rule to not schedule back to back meetings of any kind, giving me some time to decompress.

What’s the first thing you do when you get to work (or start your workday)?

Say Hello, of course, and read the whiteboard. Yesterday, Sophia wrote: “You Look Happier. Thanks, I work at FRA.” This made my day. My team is my #1 daily work priority.

What tools, apps, or gadgets can’t you live without?

Milanote. Milanote. Milanote.

Apple or Android?

Apple

What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order?

Greg (my husband) brews me a beautiful double espresso, iced-coffee with a splash of sweet cream every morning.

What’s your go-to lunch spot or work snack?

Depends on where I am but if I’m at the office this it is the Philippine Market in Valparaiso – Hands Down.

What’s one local business you love supporting?

No way I can narrow this to ONE, but local is everything – I’ll leave it there.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

My great mentor, Darren Rudolf, once told me “your seat is the most expensive in the building if you are sitting in it.” – and I’ve been on the move ever since. That was 2009.

If you could give your 20-year-old self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Ideas choose you. Waiting for perfection slows you down, so when you are chosen by an idea – give it life.

How do you unwind after a long day?

I cook, bake, and plan what I’m going to cook and bake.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

I’m not an extrovert but I play a good one on T.V.

What’s your favorite local event or tradition?

As an introvert, I am rejuvenated by time alone or with Greg and my kids. I cook nearly every day – it’s my form of mediation but also gives me the time and space to quietly create.

What’s inspiring you right now (book, podcast, person, hobby)?

A fresh stack of cookbooks to read through.

Early bird or night owl?

I’m the earliest bird on the block, Friends.

Most used emoji?

😶‍🌫️

Music while working — yes or no? (and if yes, what’s on your playlist?)

No music while working but yes music while cooking. Yacht Rock, YouTube vinyl streamers, 90’s R&B…

Favorite motivational quote?

The difference between a pebble and a mountain is who you ask to move it.

Standing desk or sitting? Mix?

Sitting when typing, standing while on the phone

If you could give any advice for someone getting into the same field as you, what advice would you give?

Find a mentor. Maybe 3.