Monique Guyse is a Senior Sales Perfectionist at Plateco, a third-generation shop based in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. She is responsible for sales, customer care and quality control. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Monique started her Plateco career in the Accounts Receivable area, then moved into sales and operations, serving as sales engineer, technical sales engineer, and quality systems manager before being promoted to her current position.
How did you get your start in the finishing industry?
My grandfather and his brothers started a zinc plating facility out of his garage in the early 1970s. In 1990, my father started to work for the company, and I have been working at Plateco since 2015.
What do enjoy best about the industry?
The various parts and components that we plate, and learning what they are used for. For example, we have plated chains that hold missiles onto submarines.
Is your glass half full or half empty?
Half full.
What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?
A knife, a fishing net, and a box of matches.
What was your favorite subject in school?
Math; I love dealing with numbers and having definitive answers.
What is the most unusual thing you have ever eaten?
Pickled turkey gizzard and alligator.
Do you collect anything?
No, I am too much of a neat freak to have accumulating items in my house.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Definitely an extrovert. I am spontaneous, sociable, and optimistic.
Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?
My sense of smell; I can pick the faintest scent when walking into a room.
Are you related or distantly related to anyone famous?
On my parental grandmothers’ side of the family, I am related to the Sauter family. They are a family heavily committed to the racing community: stock car and truck racing in NASCAR.
What do you do to keep fit?
I do like to watch what I eat and when I have time, I like to run outdoors.
Does your family have a “motto” – spoken or unspoken?
Do the right thing, even when no one is looking.
What three things do you think of the most each day?
How do I perform better than I did yesterday, surrounding myself with positive and motivated people, and living life to its fullest.
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
WARNING: If my mouth doesn’t say it, my face definitely will
What song would you say best sums you up?
This is a hard question to answer. I would have to actually listen to the lyrics of songs to do so. I just like a good, upbeat song.
What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
Ryan Reynolds.
What is the most interesting thing you can see out of your office or kitchen window?
The rolling hills of central Wisconsin.
On a scale of 1-10, how funny would you say you are?
I would have to rate myself as a sarcastic 8.
What was your first job?
My first job was at Plateco. I was in the 8th grade and I was hired to help with the billing customers invoices.
How many languages do you speak?
Two: English and sarcasm.
Who is the most intelligent person you know?
I am not sure I can pick just one person. There are a lot of people in my life that I turn to for advice for various reasons.
If you had to describe yourself as an animal, which one would it be?
A monkey, because they are intelligent and great problem solvers.
What is one thing you will never do again?
Eat a pickled turkey gizzard
Who knows you the best?
That would definitely be my twin sister, Morgan. We can truthfully finish each other’s sentences. We can be driving, and I could say, “Do you remember that time with that one guy who did that crazy thing?” She would know exactly who and what I was talking about.
