40 Under 40: Aaron Mote

After graduating from Lake City High School and Gonzaga University, Aaron Mote had the chance to work "for a fast year of learning" from Spokane entrepreneur Jerry Dicker.

"It was an honor to gain some experience with him and see behind-the-curtain, how he operates his primary business GVD Commercial Real Estate, while also doing incredible things to benefit our CDA / Spokane communities," said Mote, the owner and CEO of Direct Siding Idaho.

Among them were Dicker's effort to revitalize the Bing Crosby Theatre, and transform Caruso's through partnerships and brand development into the brand and company that it is now. He saw how the entrepreneur transformed decrepit-downtown Spokane city blocks with vibrant businesses like the Ruby Hotel and Sapphire Lounge. 

After this experience, Mote embarked on a two-year side quest in tech, taking a sales opportunity at a social media marketing company in the Silicon Valley. Within a year, that company — "Wildfire Interactive— was acquired by Google. Then in 2015, Mote began working in construction in Denver, Colorado, gaining experience under a 40-year general contractor. Within a few years, he'd obtained his Class C residential contractors license with the IRC — something required in Colorado to pull permits as a construction busines. The venture that became Direct Siding Colorado began in 2019, just prior to the pandemic. 

Mote credits his "real education" to those like Dickers and Wildfire Interactive founder Victoria Ransom. 

"Seeing inside and experiencing working for these very successful and agile companies, I learned more than I ever did in school," Mote said. "And as any small business owner who survives to the five-year mark can tell you, countless lessons have since been learned in the daily practice of serving our customers and staying focused on our mission. I enjoy continued self-education, especially focused in my field of business, entrepreneurship, marketing, leadership, and self-development."

The last five years, from starting business in Colorado and the wild ride through the pandemic, to moving his family to his home state of Idaho and starting Direct Siding Idaho in 2021, have been a transformative experience, Mote said.

"With my newlywed wife in 2019, and now 3 young children, we have had the blessing to lead over 20 our very loyal team members here to live a better life in Idaho," he said.

Mote is grateful to see local talent joining the team, including new operations manager Drew Gilmore who he graduated from Lake City High School with in 2007. 

He enjoys growing his business, being a father and contributing back to his community.

"I believe the future is bright, and change is both constant and inevitable," he added. "I look forward to growing my business Direct Siding in Idaho and continuing to hire more local talent, and I also look forward to more adventures in my industry including working with like-minded partners and REI Development. 

Advice to his younger self: "If you can, find and live with like-minded young people who have shared values and interests, in a supportive-yet-competitive spirit. Become the best version of yourself, and with others in-that-pursuit, you will do better."