1 People Of Influence -- Pacific Picks -- Northwest People -- Julie Mcculloch

Who/where: An antique Victorian elevator cage and a whimsical idea - wouldn't it be neat to sell something from there? - improbably launched Julie McCulloch's career as businesswoman, youth mentor, historical preservationist and politician.

She and her husband, David, moved to Port Townsend in 1976 so he could learn about and build wooden boats. When she spotted the elevator cage and decided to become a street vendor a year later, all she needed was something to sell. An old family friend taught the McCullochs how to make their own ice cream and, like that, Elevated Ice Cream was born.

With a business on quaint Water Street, she found herself involved in the city's fledgling historic preservation movement, which in turn led to two terms on the City Council. Now, at 41, the Wenatchee native is running for Port Townsend mayor.

Why she's on the list: Many people run businesses and many people are in politics. McCulloch gives a little extra to each. Elevated Ice Cream has become a miniature youth job corps, with more at stake than two scoops on a sugar cone. She's hired and mentored more than 100 teens, teaching about the world of work and personal responsibility, as well as business basics. In her political career, she's known as someone who cuts through partisan differences and brokers solutions, from water rights to growth management to the city budget.

Little-known fact: Her favorite flavor of ice cream is: "coffee, even though we make several flavors more exciting than that. That one stands the test of time."