The Ground Up
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Our Roots —
Built on a Mattress Delivery
Built on a Mattress Delivery
Our Roots
Written by Mekki Jaidi
Photos by Taylor Glenn
Updated June 22, 2025
We weren’t planning to move to Jackson Hole. We just came for a visit.
In 2012, Jane and I were looking for a getaway — open skies, mountain air, a little breathing room. What we found was something bigger. Yes, the landscape pulled us in immediately, but it was the people who made it stick. Everyone we met was warm and welcoming.
There was one barista in particular at a café we kept returning to — she probably had no idea the impact she left on us, but years later, she now works with us at our roastery. That feeling of connection, of belonging — that’s what convinced us to plant roots here starting in 2014.
A Philosophy of Service
That first impression of the valley stayed with us and became a lens for how we wanted to approach work and life. I always tell our team: we’re in the memory-making business. We’re not just offering a service—we’re representing this valley, and you never know how much a gesture might mean to someone.
One Christmas Eve, a guest reached out because their mattress was uncomfortable. Jane and I picked up a new one and delivered it ourselves. It wasn’t a grand gesture. It was just doing what felt right. We’ve built our companies on that idea — personal, responsive, thoughtful service.
Rooted Values
That mindset didn’t come out of nowhere. I was born in New York City to immigrant parents — my father from Morocco and my mother from the Philippines — who showed me early on what it meant to work hard, treat people with kindness, and take pride in what you do. Those values stuck with me.
The Outpost Story
After graduating from Columbia University and spending a few years in finance, Jane and I started looking for something more grounded. That led to the founding of Outpost, our vacation rental management company built on hospitality, trust, and an obsessive attention to detail.
The Evolution of Terrain
Later, I co-founded Terrain with my brother-in-law Charlie. From the start, our goal was to bring that same spirit that we built Outpost on — one rooted in care, responsiveness, and pride in our work — to the landscaping and snow removal world. While we always delivered a great product, I’ll admit that as a silent partner, I never felt like the communication and responsiveness were where we wanted them to be.
When Charlie moved to Florida for personal reasons, I became the full owner and operator of Terrain. Over the past few months, I’ve been more hands-on than ever before. We’ve hit a hard reset on the culture, centering everything around accountability and communication. This refreshed approach is defined in what we call the "Terrain Way": proactive communication, clear expectations, and empathy-driven service.
Family and What Drives Me
Today, I’m supported by Jane and our four kids — Penelope, Lila, Teddy, and Violet. My motivation has never been about profit. It’s about doing right by people, taking pride in what we build, and knowing that even the small, quiet moments — like swapping out a mattress on Christmas Eve — can leave a lasting mark.
Rooted in Community
Giving back to this community that welcomed us so openly has always been important to me. I’m grateful to now serve on several local boards, including the Jackson Hole Land Trust, Jackson Hole Youth Soccer, Jackson Hole Youth Basketball, and the Center for the Arts. These roles are one way I try to contribute to the place that has given my family and me so much.