Women of the Year – Sydney Osborne, Graeber & Company, Rick’s Dream

By Brooke Strickland

Sydney Osborne is a versatile and passionate leader that gives her all to her work and to the community around her. In fact, her journey at Graebar & Company Salon and Day Spa is a testament to her inherent leadership ability and commitment to continued professional growth. She began there in 2016 as a barber and today, has worked her way up to serve as the company’s general manager. She seamlessly shoulders daily responsibilities, ensuring the salon’s success.

In a letter of recommendation for Osborne, Paige Wiscombe shared, “Sydney’s grace in handling the demands of such a significant managerial position at a young age is truly commendable. Her ability to work with the owner to empower, educate and lift up their team is so inspirational. Sydney effortlessly wears multiple hats, balancing her roles as a devoted mother, wife and supportive friend, all while pursuing continuous personal growth. Her commitment to self-improvement has naturally positioned her as a leader in various contexts, making her a role model in both her professional and personal spheres.”

Osborne also has a deep love and passion for the special needs community and has recently started a nonprofit organization called Rick’s Dream, whose mission is to redefine disability awareness with immersive experiences. This dream is fueled by her own experiences with her adopted son Karsen, who faces challenges with disabilities.

“Karsen’s remarkable journey, from being told he would never walk or read fluently to leading a full and happy life, became the catalyst for me to establish Rick’s Dream — a nonprofit fostering community through empathy,” she said. “Rick’s Dream is leveraging technology to change the way we understand disability. My mission is to inspire empathy and encourage individuals to connect on a deeper level through experiential learning. My vision is to inspire a world where everyone feels heard, understood and valued.”

In addition to this amazing work, Osborne serves as the board secretary for Camp River Run and as a boards and commissions fellow for the Conservation Voters for Idaho. She shared that there have been a couple of pivotal figures in her life that have helped get her to where she is today. She named her mentor Shelby Bills, who has helped her say yes to the unknown and has helped her embrace new growth opportunities. She also said that her father instilled the importance of integrity and hard work in her.

“My love for continued education reflects my belief that we are all perpetual students, always striving for growth,” she said. “In my 30 years of life, I have dedicated myself to continuous self-education, fearlessly advocating for others, and inspiring positive change in my community,” Osborne said. “I lead by example, welcoming challenges and feedback, and encouraging others to strive for their best while firmly believing that together we can achieve more than we ever could alone.”