Praise for Jan
Jan Steiner is a great mentor to many. Her ability to understand the inner workings of a company to building a public profile are remarkable. Her expertise in running her company and mentoring business owners in the process has helped many firms along the way. I highly recommend Jan for mentoring, speaking engagements, and business solutions advice.
Kathy Dawson
CEO of Dawson & Dawson
I had the privilege to work for Jan Steiner at Thoro Packaging as the Human Resources Manager. Jan has inspired me both personally and professionally with her lust for life and leadership values. Jan always wrote handwritten thank you and birthday notes to her employees. It was a great pleasure working with her.
Claudia E. Conte
Manager, Human Resources and Business Administration
When I first took over my father's company in 2011, I was in a desperate search for mentors - specifically women who found themselves at the helm of companies. I then fortuitously came across an article in the Press Enterprise about Jan Steiner of Thoro Packaging, a successful businesswoman in my area who inherited a business from her father, grew the company, was involved in the community, and wanted to give back. I clipped the article and set the intention that, one day, I would reach out to this amazing person for mentorship and advice. I didn't have the audacity to do so at the moment because I thought to myself, why would an important businesswoman like Jan even talk to me, a nobody?
A few months down the road, a kind woman who knew Jan noticed me and made a connection. Jan immediately reached out and asked me to breakfast; and that was beginning of a beautiful friendship comprised of mutual support, guidance, and mentorship that enriched my career and life in more ways than I can express.
Jan Steiner is a fabulous mentor for anyone looking for their start in business…and life, for that matter. She never let our friendship and connection fall by the wayside and reaches out regularly to check on me and my progress on goals and projects. She has been invaluable to me as a mentor, thought partner, and kindred spirit, and has generously supported me in my journey to find work that holds meaning and has impact. Jan has had immeasurable impact on my career and life, and most importantly, she has inspired me to be a woman of the world who makes giving back to community a first-place concern and personal mission.
Swati Singh
I have to share with you that when we were discussing speakers for the Inland Prosperity Conference, Janet Steiner’s name came up right away. We knew the conference had to include her in order to reach our objective of providing brilliant, real world, timely, applicable business advice…from local successful women business owners!
Of course, I had heard her speak before; and Jan’s willingness to share, to be vulnerable, and to help others reach their dreams by being vulnerable impresses me every time!!
Michelle Skiljan, Executive Director
Inland Empire Women’s Business Center
Jan’s passion for excellence is evident in her talks. She is an encourager, motivator and well-versed professional. A speaker that everyone can learn from, Jan brings a bright shining light with several take-away ‘nuggets’ for immediate implantation. Jan truly lives by a motto, service above self; and her company, Make Dust, is appropriately focused on ensuring her mantra of either Make Dust or Eat Dust!
Bobby Spiegel, CEO | President
CORONA Chamber
I've had the pleasure of being in the audience at Jan's speaking engagements and have aspirations of being as good a speaker as her. She delivers a very concise message with clarity and professionalism blended with varying degrees of formality and friendliness. Jan has the ability to project just the right body language to deliver the most impactful message.
Tony Garcia, Actor / Former Printer
Simply put, Janet Steiner is a force to be reckoned with. She has incredible presence in any group and her energy is unbounded. To be a leader, one must be an excellent communicator. Jan can stand at a podium and captivate an audience such that she delivers her message, and they beg for more.
Jan is one of those humble people who is unsuccessful at being unnoticed because she naturally attracts an audience. Her success attracts other leaders and is clearly sought after by those of us working to attain her achievements. Jan is superb mentor with the uncanny ability to offer advice from her years of experience while not overwhelming the mentee. In fact, from my personal experience, I did not realize that she was mentoring me until a couple of days later when I was applying a suggestion and realized it came from Jan.
Jan is the consummate professional who has always been genuinely concerned about the health and well-being of her employees and their families. While she took over and built the family business, she really built a team of employees that became her family. As all great leaders are, Jan is involved in a number of community interests and continues to give back. Our industry has recognized her success and was sorry to see Jan retire. However, our loss is others gain.”
Louis J. Caron, President/CEO
PIASC
Jan Steiner is a woman driven by passion and action. She goes above and beyond to serve the causes that touch her heart. As keynote speaker at our gala event, Jan connected to our audience through sharing her life experiences in a way that was inspirational and moving.
Corinne Conklin, Director of Development
The Prentice School
Jan Steiner has had extraordinary business success while remaining humble and sincerely caring about each employee. Customer satisfaction is Jan’s priority, but she manages to maintain life balance with family, friends, home life, travel, service, and her faith. Jan’s energy, dedication, grace and kindness is an inspiration.
Roxanna West, Quality Manager
AP Thoro
What an honor to work with Jan! Her commitment to getting things done and thinking outside the box is remarkable! I had the pleasure of working with Jan as co-chair for the Riverside County Women’s Leadership conference for 2 years, and what a blast that was! We complemented each other by bringing different ideas… Having to pivot in 2020 to provide the first, and successful, virtual conference! Thanks, Jan, for your words of wisdom and friendship!
Ruth J Jaffe, Area Operations Leader
Kaiser Permanente
I was brand new in business when Jan Steiner took me under her wing. Under her inspirational mentorship, I was able to grow my business to profitability! Jan has been incredibly generous in coaching me in critical business skills - sales strategies, leadership, and work-life balance. Jan actively sought out and recommended me to new clients. She has an extensive web of influence, and I was humbled to be a part of her circle and included in mastermind groups.
A great mentor must be a consultant, counselor and cheerleader; and Jan Steiner embodies all those qualities in heaps!
Palbinder Badesha
Express Employment Professionals
I have had an opportunity to interact with Janet at quite a few occasions, as a customer and as a Management Consultant. I found Janet to be dedicated and committed not only to her company but also to her industry and clients. She gives it all her full attention. She is forward-thinking, listens to ideas and is willing to give of her personal time if it can help the industry and other professionals by sharing her experience. It has been a pleasure knowing her both from a customer and a consultant perspective.
Akhilesh Gulati
Adjunct lecturer at California state Polytechnic University-Pomona
Thank you so much for helping me out in a tough situation this week. I was able to take the emotions out of my communication with my boss and write a calm, collected and professional email. Your advice to be open to specific direction he may have for the account led to a great outcome. You have rescued me a few times in my work dilemmas and your advice is always welcome and appreciated.
Phyllis Bonn
Customer Service Manager
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Working with Jan and MakeDust has been a key factor in the success I have had working with family-owned business, in launching a successful podcast, and in becoming a better leader. Her wisdom, experience, and track record of accomplishment inspires me, and has been instrumental in the work I do with businesses around the globe. She is a great leader, and teaches by example, as well as by words. I have seen her motivate and lead countless women and men, and I completely trust Jan and her guidance in my professional, personal, and spiritual life.
Ed Hart, President
Hart Leadership Group
I have known Janet for a few years now and have been able to see her enthusiasm in sharing her wisdom with other women. The kind of business acumen Janet holds come from her life experiences of growing a multi-million dollar company to the sale of this company is of benefit for Women in particular. With this unique experience, Janet is now, more than ever, able to pass this along and her heart to help Women is to be commended. I would highly recommend Janet Steiner in assisting you in your company’s needs!
Elaine C. Norland, President
I met Janet when she was addressing an audience of women business owners, and while I was multi-tasking before she started speaking, when she spoke, I put my phone down and leaned in. She captivates an audience with real life stories - from reminding a daughter about how she gets to have a phone because "mommy runs a business" to why it is important for women to own their power and "make dust." Janet inspires to produce results not just a feeling.
Hilda Kennedy, President
AmPac Tri-State CDC, Inc.
Jan Steiner was my customer when she was the owner and president of Thoro packaging. As a supplier, Jan was the customer everyone wanted. She wanted the best products, service and competitive pricing - but then that was what she provided for her customers. I always felt fortunate to have Jan and Thoro packaging as a customer. After time of working together, Jan and my family became good friends. Jan and I have shared many of Life events together with children, grandchildren and friends. We also have served together as board members for the Prentice School. It is a private school in Tustin, California for children with learning differences. Jan has been such a wonderful role model and mentor to all on how to add value to the school in every way. She has a Heart for Service. I have been to fortunate recipient of many events that Jan has spoken at, many receiving industry Awards. She's a gifted speaker and always has an important message to share.
Judy Pirtle, Prentice Board Member