When Debbie Parks puts her mind to something, she doesn’t go half-way.

It’s a trait that has allowed her to build a business from the ground up into a successful, must-see Iowa Great Lakes tradition. Tiki huts and palm trees aren’t a common sight in Okoboji, but they are now famously tied to one summer hot spot and it’s thanks to the efforts of Debbie and her team.

The Barefoot Bar opened its doors in 2002 and the growth and success it has experienced has made Debbie very proud.

“It’s probably the biggest accomplishment of my entire life, other than my son,” Debbie said. “You only experience something like that once in a lifetime and seeing the growth’s been amazing.”

The success of the the Barefoot Bar didn’t happen overnight and a lot of Debbie’s blood, sweat and tears were put into the project.

“I did everything from design the logo, name it the Barefoot Bar, wait tables, schedule waitresses and do the marketing. I had a ‘whatever it takes’ attitude to make it work and make it a success. If I’m involved with it, I’m going to do everything I can to make it a success,” Debbie said. “As a leader, if I’m not passionate about it then I know no one else will be. The passion has to generate from me.”

That whatever-it-takes, passionate attitude is only one part of the equation in making that effort a success, according to Debbie.

“I’m really blessed with the people I work with. There is no limit when we are brainstorming. We let the creativity flow. There are no bad ideas and there is no idea that is too big,” Debbie said. “It’s amazing to have people in your life who see the great things in you and encourage you to do things you don’t even know you are capable of, and Butch is definitely one of those people for me.”

She grew up in Brandon, SD, and Debbie credits her dad for her strong work ethic.

“I am the youngest of four girls. My dad, who passed away this last summer, instilled a strong sense of work ethic in me. I was always very involved in school, being a cheerleader, student council, athletics and more. But I always worked. I always managed to do it all, I never wanted to miss out on anything. I babysat, detasseled corn, worked in a factory, fast food and retail,” Debbie said. “My husband and I share that same work ethic. We are also very fun loving with big goals and I think that’s what makes us such a great team.”

Debbie went on to earn her associate’s degree in broadcast journalism from Iowa Lakes Community College in Spirit Lake. After graduating in 1996, she went to work for KSFY in Sioux Falls in their marketing department.

“I was behind the scenes, but I had always thought I wanted to be a weather girl. I always thought that would be fascinating,” Debbie said. But she didn’t become a weather girl. Her life took another direction.

She came back to the Lakes area and worked for Iowa Lakes Community College in institutional advancements until she had a fateful meeting one day in 2000.

Debbie met her future husband, Butch Parks, 16 years ago and soon he offered her a job with his company, Parks Marina. Debbie started out working in the finance department.

“I’ve worn a lot of hats here and it’s really been an amazing place to work,” Debbie said. “I started as the finance girl so I got to meet all the people who bought boats here. I’m a genuinely happy person. I used to hug people when they came to pick up their boat. I didn’t know anything about boats or financing, but I was willing to learn.”

Her fearlessness when it comes to learning new things is still alive and well to this day.

She wrote and published a children’s book about three years ago, even though she had no experience in that world.

“An Okoboji Day” is a board book that has sold 5,000 copies thus far and is available for purchase at Parks Marina, The Barn Swallow, Books’n Things, and the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum.

When Debbie’s not busy working or learning, she keeps busy as a mom.

Debbie and Butch’s son, Rudy, is five, and between soccer and piano lessons, he keeps his parents plenty busy.

“My five year old little boy is my world. When I’m at home my focus is on making sure he has the right moral compass and that we are keeping him involved,” Debbie said.

“I have a great respect for the working mother. I didn’t even understand before I had him what it meant to be a working mother and the great balance it takes.”

The future for Debbie is open and she hopes she keeps loving what she does.

“As for the future, I’m not sure! To build a solid foundation for Rudy, work hard to keep our business strong so that all of the employees of Parks Marina can have a prosperous and happy career and home life.

“To keep learning and challenging myself too, and to someday free up my schedule to become more involved in volunteerism for the community,” Debbie said.

“Life is great, and I feel like the best is still yet to come!”