Vina Rathbone Falvey – CEO and Founder – Rathbone Falvey Research

At the onset of her professional work, Vina Rathbone had the opportunity to work for a woman-owned business. Being a part of this venture inspired her to think big about her own future, and ultimately, it gave her a vision for a career that she originally didn’t think was possible.

“I set a goal in my 20s that by the time I became a mother, I would like to be working for myself,” she said. “I knew this goal would be challenging, and dedicated myself to gaining the right experience in my career that could teach me what I would need to know to be successful in this. This meant learning about how to run a business, and developing a craft that was valuable to build the business upon. This took much longer than I wanted – and was a very long journey with many setbacks. Today, I am so proud to say that as a mother of a beautiful three-year-old boy, pregnant with my second child, I am running a business that I am so proud of.”

As the founder and CEO of Rathbone Falvey Research for the last five years – Boise’s only market research facility – she’s been able to work with clients across the country while leading a team of researchers who are dedicated in leaving no stone unturned in their search to always deliver truth to their clients. Together, they lead research initiatives for Fortune 100 companies, nonprofits, government organizations and startups.

“I’m humbled to work with clients who trust us to conduct research on their behalf,” Rathbone said. “I’m so grateful to say that the plan worked out, and that my efforts were not in vain.”

In a letter of recommendation for Rathbone, Kelli Soll wrote, “One of Vina’s most commendable qualities is her generosity, both as a leader and as an individual. She fosters an inclusive work environment, where team members are encouraged to share ideas, a sense of humor and contribute to the agency’s collective success. Vina’s mentorship has been instrumental in the professional development of many individuals within our organization, and her dedication to fostering talent and cultivating a positive work culture is truly admirable.”

When it comes to inspiration, Rathbone said that she is motivated by her husband, who continues to have a positive impact on her both personally and professionally.

“I love and admire him, and life with him is a dream come true,” she said. “We are building our family and our businesses together and I’m so grateful that he is my partner.”

Outside of running her business, Rathbone previously served as a board member for The Cabin Literary Organization and was on the board of directors for three years at Boise Angel Alliance. She also spends every chance she can with her family going to parks, having weekly family dinners or just relaxing.