Cape Girardeau banker finds strength in work, family

As vice president of a local bank chain, wife and mother of two, it goes without saying that Janet Varnon wears several hats. Janet has been involved in the banking industry since attending Southeast Missouri State University. She began as a teller. She received her undergraduate degree in finance with a minor in accounting and is currently finishing up her MBA. During the weekends, she and her husband, Tony, often take their two boys, Joshua, 8 and Sam, 6, to the park. She and Tony, who is a professor at Southeast, are also very involved with their sons' basketball teams.

Janet took some time out of her day to answer some questions about balancing a career and a family and how to set priorities in both areas.

Business Today: How long have you been in banking?

Janet Varnon: I started in the banking business in college working, part-time as a teller while I was going to Southeast. I graduated in '93 so I've been doing it for about 14 years. After I graduated I moved in to real estate commercial lending. Now, I basically give loans to businesses.

BT: How do you handle a career and a family?

JV: I think many women balance a career and a family successfully. I feel I have the support of three families: my immediate family of course, then a very strong church family, and the bank -- the "Capaha Crew." When you have a good relationship with your workplace, it makes it easier to balance. Everybody is supportive.

BT: Is it hard to balance your time?

JV: Being a working mom makes you realize and appreciate the time spent with your family more, so that's quality time. Other families might have more time together, but what's important is the quality of the time with them. I think to have a family and a career you have to be self-motivated. And I also think men and women both do the balancing, it's not just females balancing a career and family.

You have to overcome some hurdles, plus have a good mental attitude. And you have to appreciate the day when you wake up. Obviously your employer has to do with how you feel. Sometimes people have to ask themselves if it's worth it. I love my job and the team here. And I have great general managers. The people are flexible and realize family life is important. It makes it easier when your supervisors are on the same page with you.

Another thing -- I really feel sports ties in with balancing life. I played basketball in high school and in college and players have to balance, it's something learned early on. You're used to having a schedule and being mindful of the time. Athletics instills work ethic early on as well as self-esteem. It also teaches teamwork and respect for others, it helps you learn who has what strengths. I feel sports have been a big part of the success in my life. I'm very happy. I have a great family and a position that allows me to be successful.

BT: Are there challenges?

JV: There can be challenges at times. I'm a believer of being part of community involvement. I'm involved with the chamber and Leadership Cape, but I'll do something with work and then with my family and just focus on making the very most out of the time we are together.

I think what should prevail, male or female, is work ethic. If you get the job done, you get the promotion, then you deserve it. There are more women involved than in the past. I feel totally accepted and I've never felt out of place. I'm totally immune to walking in to a room or a meeting and it being all males or all females or a mix. A big part of anything is asking yourself if you're happy. A lot of people can physically and mentally do it, but are they happy balancing their life? I'm happy doing it. Not to say there aren't occasional challenges, but that doesn't prevent us from attending our children's basketball game. I've very happy balancing a career.

BT: How do you feel about women in the banking industry in general?

JV: I think more women are furthering their education. Banking is a wonderful field. There is lots of room for advancement. I'll refer to sports again, but whoever is excelling the most, gets the most play time. I really look at balancing the same way for everybody because I'm not always the one doing the balancing. My husband takes the boys to school and he is involved in their basketball playing.