Business Examiner Vancouver Island - March 2019 by Business Examiner Media Group

MARCH 2019

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PORT ALBERNI Realtor Dave Koszegi Dedicates Prestigious Award to Local Student

Mercedes Test Runs New Vehicle Processing Centre New Port Of Nanaimo Project Starting In April, Creating Close To 100 Jobs BY MARK MACDONALD BUSINESS EXAMINER

PAGE 15

INDEX News Update

Nanaimo 10 Cowichan Valley

Comox Valley

Alberni Valley

Cruising 26 Digital 28 West Coast

SEE VEHICLE PROCESSING CENTRE | PAGE 36

Who is Suing Whom 37 Movers and Shakers 39 Opinion 42

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Michelle Corfield stands in front of new vehicles at the Vehicle Processing Centre

A NA IMO – W hen the vehicle carrier Tranquil Ace docked at the Port of Nanaimo on March 8, it delivered the first Mercedes Benz cars in what would be a pilot-run of the new Vehicle Processing Centre (VPC) at the Port. It’s been almost a year since the Port of Nanaimo announced the partnership between Western Stevedoring and the Auto Division of SSA Marine to set up a 60,000 square foot facility near the waterfront to do final detailing on European automobiles prior to their delivery to B.C. dealerships for sale. The Federal government committed $6.3 million towards the project, which created up to 200 jobs during construction and will have around 100 jobs once

full production begins in early April following the arrival of a full shipment of vehicles. “This project came about after a lot of hard work behind the scenes,” says Port of Nanaimo Chair Michelle Corfield. “Watching the first pilot-run is very exciting, because it means the Vehicle Processing Centre is almost ready to open, and these well-paying jobs will be a real boost to the local economy.” Ian Marr, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Port in January, says the Vehicle Processing Centre opens up new doors of opportunity for the Nanaimo region. Previously, European cars had been shipped to eastern Canada and sent across the country by rail, and vehicles can now be shipped directly to the West Coast.

40 Finalists Named For VIREB Commercial Building Awards Buildings From The Malahat To Port Hardy To Be Celebrated At April 4th Gala In Courtenay

A NA I MO – A tota l of 40 buildings have been named finalists for the 12th Annual Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Awards, set for April 4 at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay. The number of finalist projects, while lower than the previous year, still represents a strong market in the region. The gala will be held in the Comox Valley for the second time, celebrating the best in commercial, community and industrial buildings north of the

Malahat on Vancouver Island, which were completed between January 1 and December 31, 2018. “There is a very large number of finalists, one of the largest ever,” notes Mark MacDonald of Business Examiner Vancouver Island, which coordinates the event. “The buildings represented is an indication of the construction activity that has taken place in the region last year, and demonstrates the strength of the market. “The finalists, again this year, includes quality and diversity of

the buildings that is on par or even better than in previous years,” he adds. “This event is all about celebrating the people behind the scenes who make them become reality.” A team of independent judges chooses the winners in the 10 categories of these awards: Renovation, Multi Family Townhome, Multi Family Apartment, Multi Family Non Market, Institutional, Civil, Community, Mixed Use, Industrial and Retail. Gold sponsors of the event are

Re/MAX Commercial, MNP LLP and Coastal Community Credit Union. Category sponsors are NAI Commercial, Yellow Sheet Review, Herold Engineering, Colliers International, Invest Comox Valley, CIBC, BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) and Berk’s Intertruck. Black Press is the Media Sponsor. The 2018 Judges’ Choice Award Winner for Best Overall Entry was The Twin Sail Buildings in SEE AWARDS | PAGE 14

NEWS UPDATE

MARCH 2019

Western Forest Products is the Island’s largest milling and logging company.

VANCOUVER ISLAND

LADYSMITH

Record Year for Western Forest Products Western Forest Products managed to realize a profit of nearly $70-million in 2018 despite spending over $43-million in softwood lumber duties. According to financial statements released by the company, they managed to set a record in terms of revenue to realize a net profit of $69.2-million down from $74-million in 2017. Last year the company realized a record $1.197-billion in revenue up from the $1.14-billion record in 2017. The company was able to make the advancement in revenue because of strong prices for its specialty products. This was despite spending $43-million in countervailing and anti-dumping export duties and overcoming a difficult coastal fire season, higher stumpage fees and volatile commodity markets. In the past year, Western acquired Columbia Vista’s mill in Vancouver, Washington for $30.5-million and paid $9-million for Hampton Lumber Mills’ processing and distribution center in Arlington, Washington. The Columbia mill allows Western to expand specialty product offerings for mainly the Japanese market, while the Hampton mill produces lumber not subject to US-imposed duties.

Ladysmith Investment App Underway The Town of Ladysmith is championing an innovative approach to attract investment with the support from the Island Coastal Economic Trust. With participation from a broad set of local stakeholders, the Ladysmith area is working to enhance access to information for potential investors. In combination with a robust website, the community will custom develop an innovative mobile app providing up to the minute information about emerging business opportunities. “W hile investment attraction websites are a must to remain competitive, apps represent a new level of engagement for visitors and investors in search of a great place to invest and build a business,” explained Amy Melmock, Manager of Economic Development Cowichan. After downloading the app, potential investors who are visiting the Ladysmith area will have real time access to detailed information about the business opportunities available for investment. The app will also be available remotely, providing SEE NEWS UPDATE | PAGE 3

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NEWS UPDATE

MARCH 2019

NEWS UPDATE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

access to an online database of opportunities. Through the app visitors will also be able to explore an array of cultural insights about the community, including information related to the First Nations and industrial heritage of Ladysmith. The project will be led by Economic Development Cowichan with participation from each of the six other partners involved in building the strategy, including the Stz’uminus First Nation, the Nanaimo Airport, the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce, the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association and Community Futures Central Island. The project started in February and is expected to be complete by the end of August.

VANCOUVER ISLAND Regulations Continues to Dampen Housing Sales of single-family homes in February dipped by 28 per cent year over year but were up 10 per cent from January. Last month, 228 single-family homes sold on the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS) System compared to 315 in February 2018 and 208 the previous month. In the apartment and townhouse categories, sales dropped by 20 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively. Inventory of single-family homes in February rose by 23 per cent from one year ago (812 to 999) while active listings of apartments climbed by 17 per cent (224 to 261) year over year and townhouses by 28 per cent (127 to 163). In its 2019 First-Quarter Housing Forecast Update, the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) expects residential sales in the province to increase 2.1 per cent to 80,000 units this year, after recording 78,345 in 2018. Residential home sales are forecast to increase a further 6.9 per cent to 85,500 units in

2020, while the 10-year average is 85,800 units. BCREA believes the negative shock to affordability and purchasing power created by the mortgage stress test (Guideline B20) is expected to continue constraining housing demand throughout the province this year, cutting the homeownership aspirations of many millennials off at the knees. W h i l e p o p u l a t i o n d e m ographics on Vancouver Island have offered some protection from B-20’s negative fallout, the regional housing market has not emerged unscathed. The stress test is reducing demand for higher-priced properties and pushing buyers towards less expensive homes, which in turn is compressing the lower end of the market. Thus far, however, declining demand has not reduced house prices in the VIREB area, although there are indications that prices may be softening. The benchmark price of a single-family home was up six per cent from one year ago, the price of apartments was up 11 per cent from last year and the benchmark price for townhomes was up 11 per cent over February.

NANAIMO Council Approves Rezoning for Dealership Nanaimo council approved the rezoning application from GAIN Group for planned automotive dealerships at 4900 Island Highway North. Council voted 5-4 in favour of passing third reading of the rezoning application following shortly after a public hearing at the Shaw Auditorium. The approval allows GAIN Group to build a Subaru, luxury car and pre-owned car dealership on the property once home to Long Lake Nurseries. The Subaru dealership will relocate from its existing location on Kenworth Road to the Island Highway location should the project be completed. Victoria-based GAIN Group owns

numerous luxury automotive dealerships on Vancouver Island including BMW, Audi, Mini, Mercedes-Benz and Subaru dealerships in Nanaimo. The company requested the zoning designation to be changed to permit site-specific auto sales, service and rentals. They cited highway visibility, closeness to other dealerships and job creation as reasons for the rezoning in the application process. Despite the approval by council, city staff had repeatedly recommended councillors reject the application, arguing it does not meet the intent of the official community plan and that multifamily residential housing would be better suited for the property.

CAMPBELL RIVER PAL Aerospace Announce Base for Coast Surveillance PAL Aerospace announced it has been awarded an aerial surveillance contract by the federal government and would be based out of Campbell River for west coast operations. In a press release, the company said it was awarded an expanded contract to provide aerial surveillance for Canada’s inland, coastal and offshore waters on behalf of the Government of Canada to monitor domestic and foreign

3 vessel activities and detect potential violations. Under the new contract, PAL Aerospace will provide Fisheries and Oceans Canada with service through a combination of Beechcraft King Air B200 medium-range aircraft and Dash 8-100 series long-range aircraft, all associated ground support and other related services. The aircraft will operate from bases in St. John’s, NL; Halifax, NS; and Campbell River, BC. PAL Aerospace has been providing this service under contract to the Government since 1990 The expanded contract, which PAL delivers on behalf of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, covers an initial five-year period and includes SEE NEWS UPDATE | PAGE 4

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NEWS UPDATE

MARCH 2019

NEWS UPDATE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

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Each vessel is 82-feet-long and will be equipped with $1.1-million worth of equipment, including a 2,500-foot-long self-inflating offshore containment boom. The ships are also designed to serve as platform vessels at a spill site, where they could provide a staging area for equipment. Should the pipeline proceed, one vessel will be based in Nanaimo, one in Beecher Bay and one in Ucluelet.

Three coastal response boats were recently unloaded in Nanaimo and received by Western Canada Marine Response Corporation. Despite the arrival of the ships, delays in starting the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion are keeping the boats from entering service. The three 300-tonne vessels are nearly identical and were built and sea-trialled in Singapore by ASL Shipyard. Each vessel cost $5.8-million and were to be among 40 new vessels stationed along the coast as part of requirements for the pipeline project, ready to respond to an oil spill. Thus far, four smaller workboats, a skimming vessel and the three response boats have been delivered. Given that the expansion has been halted amid political and legal turmoil, the vessels will remain in Nanaimo for the time being.

Construction is expected to commence next spring on a major retrofit and expansion of the Cowichan Aquatic Centre. The $2.8-million expansion at the centre will help the now more than 10-year-old facility meet growing demands from the community. Plans for the project include an expansion of the pool deck, new folding bleachers, additional community programming space, expansion of the gym and group fitness rooms and new private spaces for fitness consultants. During construction the second floor of the building will be closed for a few months while the entire building will be closed for roughly six weeks. The Cowichan Aquatic Centre is coowned by the Municipality of North Cowichan and the City of Duncan. A request for proposals for a construction company will be issued in fall or winter of 2019. Funding for the project comes from a $2.4-million grant from the Federal Gas Tax Fund, announced last March.

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VANCOUVER ISLAND COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTIES RICKY’S ALL DAY GRILL - COURTENAY

FAMILY STYLE RESTAURANT Nanaimo - $229,900 Free Standing Location Ample Parking Available

Fully Turn Key Opportunity Gross Sales in Excess of 1.2M Loyal Clientele Information Portfolio Available

2 COMMERCIAL LEASE SPACES Each $12.00/Sq.Ft + TN Unit B - 1,579 Sq. Ft. Unit D - 976 Sq. Ft. Corner Unit Zoned DT-2 allows broad uses within

restaurant/retail/office & service industries Great location near Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter Available for Immediate Occupancy

2- STOREY CONCRETE COMMERCIAL BUILDING

Quality Full Service 135 Seat Restaurant Franchise Over 20 Years in this Location $379,900 Full Training Available to New Owner

3,600 Sq. Ft. over 2 levels close to downtown Nanaimo Complete Reno’s approx. 10 yrs ago $449,900 Information Portfolio Available

Great Location in Townsite Plaza Restaurant is on Skip the Dishes List

Excellent Holding Property Solid Revenue Stream/Info Package

LEASES

2,033 Sq. Ft. 2nd Floor Office Space – Downtown Nanaimo, T.N. includes HVAC, Hydro & Utilities. Available for Immediate Occupancy $9.50/SF + TN Light Industrial Space in Diver Lake Area 1,380 Sq. Ft. 2nd Level, Gross BUSINESS W/BUILDING & LAND DAKOVA SQUARE - DUNCAN Lease + GST, Tenant pays own Hydro. Available Jan 1/19 $9.75/SF + GST 12 Yr Old Highly Successful Mid-Island Operation Suite 102 is 2,890 Sq. Ft. Main Level Unit 1,630 Sq. Ft. Main Level Unit - Downtown Nanaimo High Visibility location Sale incl/Truck Fleet, Warehouse, 12 Ft Ceilings, Residential Above $719,900 $3,600,000 $1,755,000 Industrial Yard & Customer List with use of sign off building, Heat (HVAC) & Hydro are included in gross rent. Gateway Entrance to Downtown DT-4 Commercial Zoned. Ready for immediate occupancy $2,000/Mo+ GST COURT ORDERED SALE - VACANT LAND STIR FRY RESTAURANT - DUNCAN 2 Commercial Units for Lease Near Downtown Nanaimo – Corner Quality Location across from Somass River - Port Alberni Very Successful Restaurant with 35 Seats Location, DT-2 Zoning uses within restaurant/retail/office & service Potential Development Opportunity of Great Location across from School $129,900 $279,900 Information Portfolio Available Multi/Single Family/Senior Housing industries, Unit B is 1,500 Sq. Ft. Unit D is 900 Sq. Ft.- $12/Sq. Ft. + TN DELIVERY & STORAGE BUSINESS - MID-ISLAND Dakova Square - Downtown Duncan - 3 Commercial Units for Lease – NEW COMMERCIAL STRATA UNIT - DUNCAN 12 Foot Ceilings, Main Level, 4 Floors of Residential Suites above, Designated Suite 103 is 3,104 Sq Ft Main Level Unit-Dakova Square Highly Successful Provider of Trucking, Delivery and Parking for Commercial Units - #101 - 2,287 Sq. Ft. #102 - 2,890 Sq. Ft. Great Visibility, Close to Downtown Warehousing Services $769,900 Residential Suites above $705,000 Information Portfolio Available #103 - 3,104 Sq. Ft. Each Unit is NOW REDUCED TO $16/Sq. Ft. + TN 1,199 Sq. Ft. Main Level Corner Unit - Parksville - Great Exposure in COMMERCIAL HERITAGE BUILDING NANAIMO RESTAURANT & GROCERY STORE - NANAIMO Shopping Centre Location close to Downtown $12/SF + TN Prime Downtown Location, All 3 Units are Tenanted Popular Mediterranean Café & Market Business $29,000

AUTO REPAIR SERVICE STATION Highly Visible Family Business since 1960's Strong & Loyal Business in Place $1,299,000 Chemainus, Info Package Available

NEW COMMERCIAL SUITE - DAKOVA SQUARE Suite 101 is 2,287 Sq. Ft. Main Level in Duncan 12 Ft. Ceilings, Vacant and Ready Parking Avail. for Commercial Suites

$569,900

SOLD

$1,199,000

WELL ESTABLISHED SHOE STORE Upscale Women’s Footwear Store in Courtenay, BC High Visibility Boutique Location $39,900 Loyal Clientele, Long-term Suppliers

LUCRATIVE FAMILY RUN BUSINESS Well Respected Livestock Service and Wrap Facility Approx. 2,000 SF Building on 4.9 Acres $749,000 Government Certified & Inspected

BUSINESSES Family Style Restaurant - Nanaimo Ricky’s Family Restaurant - All Day Grill Franchise - Courtenay Delivery & Storage Business - Mid-Island Shoebiz Shoe Store - Courtenay Baan Do’s Stir Fry Restaurant - Duncan Sinbad’s Café - Townsite Plaza - Nanaimo

$229,900 $379,900 $705,000 $39,900 $129,900 $29,000

MARCH 2019

THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING THE MARKET WHEN SELLING YOUR BUSINESS

s M&A advisors, we are seeing an unprecedented number of businesses changing hands. One of the main drivers of this increase, is the large number of older business owners coming to a point where they are actively considering their succession options. Although monetizing a life’s work can be exciting, it is also very stressful. If you are considering selling your business, it is important to have as much information as possible about what the business is worth before starting the process. It is typical to hear about a business being sold for a certain multiple of revenue or EBITDA1. Understandably, you might be curious and may even take your earnings or EBITDA and apply the same multiple to see what your business might be worth. We refer to this as the Market Approach. What you are doing is applying a valuation metric to your business based on what you think or have heard other people are getting for their businesses. Caution should always be exercised when using the Market Approach to ensure you are getting the highest possible price when you decide it is time to sell. At a high level, the Market Approach is a good starting point to determine what your company is worth, but it does not tell the whole story. There are a lot of other factors that influence the ultimate revenue or EBITDA multiple your business will sell for. This includes, but is not limited to, the size, location, potential for growth and, of course, risk. As divestiture advisors, we typically look at two possible approaches when marketing a business, they are:

PRICING ANALYSIS APPROACH This approach is typical for businesses where there is not an

established market and EBITDA is say $400,000 or less. In this case, we would likely undertake a pricing analysis to develop a supportable asking price. If the information is available, we will use comparable transactions and then adjust the multiples based on unique features of the business being marketed. While this may sound straight forward, setting a price carries risks with it as you can underestimate the market and leave money on the table. Alternatively, if the price is not supportable, legitimate purchasers might be turned off.

“Although monetizing

At a high level, the Market

a life’s work can be

Approach is a good starting

exciting, it is also very

point to determine what

stressful. If you are

your company is worth, but

considering selling your

it does not tell the whole

business, it is important

story.

business, as opposed to those that are necessary to run the business. The objective of this is to provide support to negotiate those assets that would be considered redundant to the business operations – an obvious example of a redundant asset would be short-term investments such as marketable securities and GICs. Less obvious is excess inventory. It is not easy to sell a business. You are asking a third party to potentially give you millions of dollars in exchange for the future cash flow that is not guaranteed. They are going to be very careful and do whatever they can to lower the price or negotiate terms in their favour. The important point we want to convey in this short article is that while the market ultimately determines the selling price of any business, there is a lot that a vendor and his or her advisors can do to positively influence the outcome.

customers and let their accounts age more than they should. M&A advisors typically assist business owners in determining what the optimal level of working capital would be so that the owner is in a better position to negotiate with the prospective purchaser on which assets should be counted as an add-on to the original offer for the

1 Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation or amortization

to have as much information as possible about what the business is worth before starting the process.” MIKE BERRIS

AUCTION APPROACH

In this approach we would run an auction. The auction process is truly the Market Approach in that the vendor goes to market without setting a price. This is not to say the vendor is a passive participant in the process; however, in this case, the market decides the ultimate price and terms.

A considerable amount of work goes into analyzing the business to present it in the most positive light, marketing to potential qualified purchasers and negotiating the price and other deal terms. Another important issue that is often misunderstood, is the target level of net assets (assets minus liabilities) that must be left in the company at closing to maintain normal business operations. This is typically known as the “target working capital”. It is our experience that most well-run businesses will maintain more inventory than they need or be less than diligent in keeping accounts receivable levels where they should be. This is understandable as it is easier to sell from existing stock and oftentimes business owners have a relationship with

UNDERSTANDING YOUR BUSINESS Selling a business is perhaps the biggest transaction a business owner will ever make. At Smythe Advisory, we understand the importance of getting it right and have a team of dedicated professionals to guide you through the whole process, from preparing your business all the way past closing. As every transaction is unique, all of our services are customized to meet each of our clients’ needs.

Mike Berris and Trevor Topping are both Charter Professional Accountants and Chartered Business Valuators operating out of Smythe Advisory Services’ Nanaimo office.

Mike can be reached at: mberris@smythecpa.com | Phone: 604.694.7548 Trevor can be reached at: ttopping@smythecpa.com | Phone: 250.755.2118

OUR SERVICES Our team will work seamlessly with your other professional advisors to ensure all your interests are met during the divestiture process. We have connections with all the major law firms in Vancouver, Nanaimo and Langley, and are well-networked to provide qualified recommendations.

• • • • • • •

Pre-sale planning and preparation Pricing analysis Financial modelling Solicitation of purchasers Preparation of marketing documents Preparation of due diligence information Data room management

• • • •

Assistance with management presentations Negotiation assistance Review of agreements Tax planning

MARCH 2019

M&N WINS BACK-TO-BACK TOP AWARDS Parksville Mattress Store Recognized for Commitment to Customer Service

A R K SV I L L E - 2018 resulted in back-to-back wins for M&N Mattress Shop. Within three months, the Parksville establishment was awarded both the Vancouver Island Torch Award for Sales and Service from the Better Business Bureau and the Vancouver Island Retail Company of the Year at the Grant Thornton Business Excellence Awards, held at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo. “It’s one thing to be recognized in your industry, but something else entirely to be recognized as the best retailer out of hundreds of Island businesses,” says owner Mark Nagra. “Both awards were open to all industries (such as Clothing, jewelry etc.), not just the furniture/mattress category, so it’s a huge honour to be recognized for the hard work we do.” Founded by Nagra and his wife Neelam in 2000, the company has been steadily growing, opening new locations and developing cutting edge products. Almost all of their bedroom inventory is BC-made, as supporting local

businesses is one of the company’s central values. In response to his company’s recent awa rds, Nag ra credits his outstanding staff (led b y c o-ow n er/m a n a ger a nd wife Neelam), and suppliers for the recognition. “Without suppliers that are supportive in their quality products and customer service, it’s harder to give great service,” he says. “We make sure to deal with the ones we know give great service, and most of them just happen to be BC factories and suppliers. Most of them also have an A+ rating by the BBB. “Last, but not least, is our team, which is made up of individuals that have the same goals as us: putting the customer first. We truly do have exceptional staff. We are extremely fortunate, because finding the right staff is the core of the business to run successful and efficient daily operations. Nobody can do it on their own. They too look at all aspects of their roles from the customer’s point of view. We do our best to fulfill our promises and take care of any issue that may arise in a speedy and professional manner. We are lucky to have the team that we have. Every member is on the same page. Additionally, when you carry quality products, there are less issues to deal with, and the

The store front at M&N Mattress Shop customers get what they expect.” Nagra founded the company in a vacant pool hall in Parksville. “My family owned the old pool hall and decided to lease it out,” he says. “The building was empty, so after a few months of it being empty, and no sale or lease, my dad asked if I could open a business in there, since I had 13 years of experience managing a furniture and mattress store.

“I said I was opening in Port Alberni where I was living at the time, but since he was stressed about the vacancy, I decided I should take some stress off of him and open in Parksville instead. It was a good move, so we decided as a family to physically move to Qualicum a year later and support the community that was supporting us. Our children Matthew and Natasha (M and N),

went to elementary school here and also graduated high school in Qualicum.” At that point, Nagra had been in the furniture business for 13 years, managing stores in the North Island. After eight years in its original location, the company moved to its current location (across from Thrifty Foods) and

Proud to support M&N Mattress Congratulations on your award!

Have another successful year!

SEE M&N MATTRESS SHOP. | PAGE 7

Adjustable bedframes from M&N Mattress Shop

Island’s Best Awards

Restwell Sleep Products is proud to congratulate

M&N Mattress Shop I was very impressed with my experience at the M&N Mattress Shop. We were so impressed we sent a visiting family member to buy from you guys!

The makers of the Pure Energy mattress, an IRONMAN approved product

Thank you for explaining so clearly the benefits of an Ironman mattress to me and my daughter. I bought this mattress a month ago and have experienced the best sleeps ever!

on winning...

2018 Retail Company of the Year on Vancouver Island

OFFICIAL PRODUCT

Love my new bed with the “lower” head board. The adjustable base is pure luxury. My Ironman mattress is super comfortable, and it does not get hot when I sleep on it!

We both experience sleeping issues and with some apprehension decided to purchase the Ironman Mattress. We definitely would recommend this mattress and recommend M&N Mattress Shop!

Bob Smith Coast Textiles Inc 102-5517 Production Blvd Surrey BC V3S-8P6 604-530-0668

MARCH 2019

Mark and Neelam Nagra, owners of M&N Mattress Shop

The team at M&N Mattress

Reclining vegan leather set, a new product at M&N

The Ironman Mattress (pictured) uses an infrared cell technology that is clinically proven to increase oxygen and blood flow

M&N MATTRESS SHOP. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

just under six years ago, Nagra opened WR Mattress Gallery in the White Rock area. Mark opened

this store with a new business partner, Raman Dhaliwal from Surrey, who has proved exceptional at managing the location. “Managers are key to successful business, and having two great

managers allows me to focus on other areas of the business,” says Nagra. “For example, we just got back into sofas, loveseats, chairs and recliners in the building next to our mattress store, which has been

greatly received by the community, and will be expanded in June. From early on, M&N Mattress Shop has focused on carrying BCmade, natural and organic products whenever possible. “All of our solid wood bedroom furniture and mattresses are made in BC, and we just had some BCmade sofas arrive at our store 2 weeks ago,” says Nagra. “For our cabinet beds, all but one are made in BC. Shop local - that’s our message. It’s better for the planet, less carbon foot print, better for our communities, and keeps jobs in our province.” After 31 years in the business, Nagra has talked to tens of thousands of customers and has a good idea of what they’re looking for in a mattress. “In my opinion, suppliers make mattresses, but they don’t talk to the people that are sleeping on their products, while we spend one third of our lives on them,” Nag ra rem a rks. “M att resses aren’t like other furniture. They contribute to or take away from your overall health. The materials in them can be toxic, and of course, lack of sleep can be detrimental to your health. Our sales people and managers speak with actual customers every day, learning what works for the customers and what doesn’t, so I believe we know better than suppliers what the customer actually needs.” With this knowledge, he created NewGen Sleep Products, (newgenbed.com), a l i ne of mattresses that uses natural, organic, anti-microbial, hypoallergenic, temperature-regulating materials. T hey h ave a l so worke d to create the Ironman Mat tress (ironmanmattress.ca), which uses an infrared cell technology that is clinically proven to increase oxygen and blood flow, which can help individuals with diabetes, arthritis, and other health issues. “Our success and the satisfaction customers have gotten from the Ironman Mattress is outstanding,” says Nagra. “It has a fantastic 15-25 year warranty, as well as infrared mineral technology that Health Canada has approved for improved sleep, thermoregulation, and more.” Both products are BC-made and use similar technology to provide a variety of restorative sleep solutions to clients.

According to Nagra, the key to his success isn’t location, location, location. “It’s Customer service. Customer service. Customer service. Locations for this type of industry is in my opinion nowhere near as important as customer service. It can make or break you.” Nagra continues, “customer service is something that must be in a person’s heart, to want to do good for others. Stores, owners or managers worry too much about the cost of service. That can’t dictate your decision to serve the customer who puts food on your family’s table. Put yourself in the customer’s shoes, then it becomes a lot easier. That’s something I learned from my original boss in 1987 when I was starting out in this industry. It was the most important training I had for both my own future and the happiness of our customers.” This philosophy of putting the customer first and seeing things through the customer’s eyes is the main secret behind the success of M&N Mattress. “It’s the day and age of online reviews, and they can make or break you,” comments Nagra. “M&N has hundreds of near perfect online reviews. Our Google rating is 4.9 out of 5, our Facebook rating is about 50 and 4.9 out of 5, and we have over 100 BBB reviews with a perfect rating of 5 out of 5. These combine for one of the highest online ratings for a store in our industry.” Currently the company is looking at opening a third location in either Victoria or Vancouver within the next year. “I look at things as a customer, so as I’ve been looking at different locations, there are some specific things that need to be in place before we open a store there,” says Nagra. “We want to have convenient parking, a space that’s the right size, and good signage. The rest is easy, we have a formula that we will use in all of our stores. “If it aint broke, don’t fix it, but you can always improve. By focusing on improving every aspect of the business, there’s always something to do. For those from an older generation who aren’t so computer or phone savvy, we want to make it easy to park, come in, get education without pressure, and have all their needs met.” To find out more, visit www. parksvillemattress.com

MARCH 2019

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re you looking for d i rection to keep your business movi ng for wa rd? Strateg ic planning is often pushed aside as it takes time to work on you r busi ness rather than in your business. Whether you are a sole operator fitting work around a busy life, a staffed business or volunteer organization ready to go to the next level, a strategic plan provides you and your team the direction it needs to stay on track and propel forward in today’s marketplace. A strategic plan is a valuable guide for your employees, your leadership and stakeholders to know where you’re going and why

you’re going there. Strategic planning should involve key teammembers; it is important to have input and buy-in at all levels. Reserve time and space; eliminating interruptions improves everyone’s focus during the brainstorming process. A strategic plan that is well communicated gives you access to greater productivity, culture, empowerment, and overall effectiveness. I am often asked, “Why shou ld I bot her w it h a strategic plan?” I think of a strategic plan as a compass. You can have a ship, crew, fuel and cargo and a destination however if you don’t have a compass to guide you in the right direction you may become lost, take longer or just plain sink. These same principles can apply to a business. Strategic planning: • gets your team on the same page and aligned with your organization’s vision, mission and goals; • can maximize your organization’s resou rces to avoid wast i ng t i me a nd money on projects or activities that are not important;

• helps u ndersta nd industry trends and scenarios that could impact your organization in the coming years; • identifies and evaluates the best way to accompl ish you r goals; • develops an implementation plan to keep you and your team on track and accou ntable for deliverables. Your annual operations plan should align and propel your strategic plan. A great strategy is most often re-evaluated on an ongoing basis (quarterly or annually, for example), rather than being a static document just sitting on a shelf. Keep your plan flexible so you’ll be ready to adjust and pursue new opportunities, keeping in mind that they should align with your long-term goals and objectives. Jolynn Green is Executive Director of Community Futures Central Island. She can be reached at ed@cfnanaimo.org or 250-591-7499.

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PARKSVILLE

MARCH 2019

Business Achievement Awards – Winners Announced

ARKSVILLE - The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce is honoured to announce the winners of the Business Achievement Awards. The awards gala held last night at the Parksville Centre was full of energy and excitement. Another SOLD OUT event. Emceed by Dave Graham, 88.5 the Beach and Jeannie Maltesen, chamber President elect. Finalists, past winners and guests celebrated the outstanding businesses in our community. ‘Hosting the Business Achievement Awards is an honour for the chamber. It represents months of work to make it just right and

something our members can be proud of, but in the end, it is worth it! Finalists, winners, their families and colleagues are so supportive and it’s just a pleasure to be a part of. It’s important to us that we honour and support the great businesses in our community’ Kim Burden, Executive Director, Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce. ‘Honoured and humbled to have Weather-Wise represent this incredible community while working alongside such a professional mindful team’ said Manager, Greg Matheson after accepting the award for ‘Outstanding Workplace

– Employer of the Year’ six category winners and a special Community Spirit Award recipient: Category Award Winners: S er v ice E xcel lence Awa rd Winner: • Chris Grundmann, Island Automotive Small Business of the Year • Ground Zero Acoustic Lounge Large Business of the Year • Harris Oceanside Chevrolet, Buick, GMC O u t s t a n d i n g Wo r k p l a c e

– Employer of the Year • Weather-Wise Cedar Products Young Professional of the Year • Hollie Quiring, RBC Royal Bank Not for Profit of the Year • Parksville Beach Festival Society We are so pleased to be able to present the Community Spirit Award, sponsored and selected by the Society of Organized Services (SOS) presented to Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort and Conference Centre. The Community Spirit Award recognizes a business or

Automotive – Chris Grundmann won in the Service Excellence Category individual that demonstrated exceptional commitment to developing and encouraging community spirit and pride. Additional information about the event including attending artists may be found at: www.parksvillechamber.com

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NANAIMO

MARCH 2019

LIFESUPPORT AIR MEDICAL MOVES HEAD OFFICE TO NANAIMO

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raham Williamson, Chief Executive Officer of LifeSupport

Air Medical Services, is pleased to announce the international air ambulance service has moved from Errington to 201-5160 Dublin Way, in the new Pacific Station development next to RE/MAX of Nanaimo off Metral Drive. The innovative company also offers commercial airline medical escorts and stretcher service, and their service focuses on bringing injured or sick Canadians back home from abroad, to this country’s medical facilities.

Green Rock Industrial Business Park Completely Sold Out

They also have offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Frankfurt, Germany. Greg Constable of Island West Coast Developments is pleased to note that Phase 3 of the Green Rock Industrial Business Park just off Bowen Road/ Dufferin Crescent is now completely sold out. T he con necti ng road, Madsen Road, is now open from Boxwood to East Wellington Road, to complete the traffic flow through the development. The first phase of the project started in 2012, and the area west and southwest of Country Grocer is now home to numerous new buildings and companies. Cong ratu lations to Courtney and Jared Cross on their recent nuptials at Black Rock Oceanside Resort in Ucluelet. Jared is the owner of the Cross and Company accounting company at 3090 Barons Road in Nanaimo. A tip of the hat to The Dave Team, led by Dave Koszegi, of RE/MAX of Nanaimo for being named the Top Team in British Columbia by RE/MAX. All of their sales were in the Port Alberni area.

Together We Are Stronger MNP Welcomes Cara Light Success in business starts with a strong team and common vision. That’s why MNP is pleased to welcome Cara Light, as the newest addition to our senior management team. Cara has more than 20 years’ experience working with small- to mid-sized businesses and non-profit organizations. Serving clients from Nanaimo to Duncan, she delivers clear, straightforward business advice to help you get the most from every aspect of your operation. Contact Cara Light, CPA, CA, Senior Manager, Assurance & Accounting Services at 250.856.2429 or cara.light@mnp.ca

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Nuu-cha-nulth Seafood, which operates St. Jean’s Ca n n e r y i n N a n a i m o, announces that Mikaela Pettigrew has joined their te a m a s F i s her ie s a nd Aquaculture Development Coordinator. Congratulations to Eric McLean for celebrating 27 years in business with McLean’s Specialty Foods in the Old City Quarter. City Council voted 5-4 to approve third reading of an

application from the GAIN Group to build two new car dealerships on the former Long Lake Nurseries site next to the Island Highway near Rutherford Road. The new dealerships are likely to be for the Porsche a nd Subaru bra nds i f approved. Michelle Corfield, Chair of the Port of Nanaimo, has won the nomination race for the federal Liberal party, and will be their candidate for the upcoming federal election. Michelle will take a leave of absence from the Port, as Elections Canada has mandated a by-election for the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding following the resignation of NDP Member of Parliament Sheila Malcolmson at the start of the year. VMAC has once aga i n been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, earning a spot on the Deloitte list recognizing best-in-class private companies throughout the country. Tourism Nanaimo and the Nanaimo Hospitality Association were among the finalists for the Innovation Award at the 2019 BC Tourism Awards recently in Vancouver. Their combined Mountain Biking Tourism Campaign was recognized for increasing awareness and desirability of Nanaimo as a mountain biking destination. Deborah Saucier has been appoi nted President of Vancouver Island University, as she will take over from the retiring Ralph Nilson. Tilray has opened a new administrative office at 210-4th Street.

Mid Island Co-op will be offering high performance E85 Fuel for vehicles at its Bowen Road location within the next few months, which will be the first station to offer this product on Vancouver Island. Red Cat Art Studio and Tattoo has opened at the corner of Bowen Road and Northfield Road. Practa Rent A Car is moving to 111 Terminal Avenue. Waste Management has purchased Sun Coast Disposal, and will integrate their operations throughout Port Alberni and from Na n a i mo to Ca mp b el l River. P & R Trucks is anticipating opening its Boxwood Road location in April. Eagle Point Dental is expanding its office on Dover Road, adding the space formerly taken by a bakery. Costco is looking to expand its Applecross Road location by adding rooftop parking. Sad ly, long-t i me Nanaimo media personality and former city councilor Dawn Tyndall passed away quietly in January. Dawn was well-known for her work at the Nanaimo Bulletin newspaper and as a local radio host, as well as running to serve as Mayor of Nanaimo. Dawn loved Nanaimo and showed it while in one of her media positions, or as the marketing leader at Steve Marshall Ford, where she also worked. Mark MacDonald writes about business in Nanaimo. Tell him your news by emailing him at mark@businessexaminer.ca

COWICHAN VALLEY

MARCH 2019

CHAMBER LAUNCHES FOR THE LOVE OF NONPROFITS SYMPOSIUM

COWICHAN VALLEY SONJA NAGEL

he D u nc a n Cowichan Chamber of Commerce is really excited to announce the launch of an annual professional development and networking symposium for the nonprofit sector, which will take place this April during National Volunteer Week. For the Love of Nonprofits, the only event of its kind on Vancouver Island, will provide a platform for nonprofits, registered charities, social enterprises and community service organizations to connect, collaborate, share resources and develop operational practices. “In the face of an everch a ng i ng f u nd i ng a nd

economic climate, organizations in the nonprofit sector need to continue to adapt and diversify” says Chamber President and MNP LLP Partner, Chris Duncan. “This symposium will provide organizations – not only from Cowichan, but throughout Vancouver Island – with an opportunity to come together, share information and hear from some of the experts and professionals who are at the forefront of change.” T he idea for the symposium first came about du r i n g a conversat ion amongst a handful of Cowichan professionals who were looking for a more effective and impactful way to respond to increasing in-kind support requests from local nonprofits. It was during a subsequent meeting with our Chamber Events and Membership Manager, Alec Wheeler, that the symposium really took flight. “The Chamber has a great number of member organizations that fall within the general nonprofit category. This nonprofit symposium will tackle some of the unique

challenges and needs of the organizations that do so much to support, nurture and advocate for our communities. This initiative really is For the Love of Nonprofits.” For the Love of Nonprofits will be held at the Best Western CVI on Wednesday, April 10 th 2019. Full Day Passes and Individual Session Tickets are available and advance booking is required. For more information visit www. du nca ncc.bc.ca or ca l l 250.748.1111 Welcome new Chamber members: Gerrits Plumbing and Piping Services, The Ainslie, Bob Vanderford Photography, All Canada Moving, Bayside Bookkeeping, Premier Self Storage, Hand of Man Museum, Thurlow Real Estate Team – Michele Thurlow, Ecochic, Kurtis Electric and Summit Acupuncture. Sonja Nagel is Executive Director of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at 250-748-1111 or manager@duncancc.bc.ca

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MARCH 2019

In-stock Solutions Drive Growth for Strathcon Industries Industry Clients Call Store An ‘Essential Service.’ “Just-in-time ordering

BY VALORIE LENNOX

OURTENAY - Strathcon Industries in Courtenay has an unmatched stock of solutions. Officially, the store’s inventory lists an amazing array of products: industrial fasteners, electrical hardware, welding and brazing supplies, component for strut channels, cutting tools, anchors, abrasives, marine, LED lights, easy-to-apply aerosol products, rivets and riv-nuts, rigging and lifting gear, and general shop supplies. At any point, there are more than 10,000 items on-hand. But combined with the expertise of the staff, what the store actually sells is solutions that lead to sales. Have equipment that needs mounting in a difficult-to-access spot? Solved. Fig u re you r mu lt i-m i l l ion dollar industrial build will be hung up for days because you’re missing a $20 part? Delivered within 24 hours. Need speciality hardware for your fish farm but the source in Norway is too far away? Already manufactured for you and on-island, courtesy of Strathcon.

isn’t in time for many of our clients.” BRAD HAUGAN OWNER

Strathcon Industries owner and founder Brad Haugan is surrounded by a small part of the store’s massive inventory Know you need a thing-a-majig connector for your home repair but you don’t know what it is called and no big box store has anything that works? Call 2500338-4266 or drop into Strathcon at 1-2663 Kilpatrick Ave. Somewhere in the company’s more than 100,000 potential products, there will be a solution and the experienced staff will help you find it and put it in your hands. Want a preview? Visit the company’s comprehensive website at strathcon.com. General Manager and

owner-founder Brad Haugan bucks the trend of just-in-time inventory by keeping hardware in stock and ready to sell, ship, or deliver. Waiting on delivery doesn’t work for clients for whom down time costs hundreds or thousands of dollars a day. As a result, an impressive and growing list of operations rely on Strathcon Industries: forestry, mining, industrial/commercial/civil construction, mills, marine, and even BC Ferries. “Just-in-time ordering isn’t in time for many of our clients,”

Haugan said. One of his company’s impressive saves was overnight delivery of hardware for the upgrade of the Rio Tinto aluminum smelter in Kitimat. T hat ea rned Strathcon a n 18-month relationship and $1 million in orders. Clients have told him his store should be designated as an ‘essential service’ vital to keeping their industry in operation. Haugan and his team respond with managed inventory systems. Based on observing and analyzing use, Strathcon sets up and maintains inventory for that company, neatly solving one management task.

To service clients, three of the company’s solutions experts are constantly on the road. Adam Kuzma is part of this Business Development team. He estimates he works 50 hours a week and puts 95,000 km a year on his vehicle to assist Strathcon clients. On the road covering the south island is Ryan Fedorchuk. “There isn’t a logging road that I haven’t driven down,” Kuzma said. “There is a lot of invisible industry on the island.” One pending delivery was to the 25th level of the Nyrstar Mine located in Strathcona Park. Kuzma has developed and is installing a customized managed inventory of fasteners for the mine. “I solve problems and sales naturally follow.” Haugan established the company in 2005. He now employs 14 people and sales exceeded $2.8 million in 2018. He values his knowledgeable staff, offering good jobs with living wages. Demand is growing, so he is poised to expand his 7,000 square foot operation when space becomes available. It is problem solving that pushes company growth. “The more problems you solve, the more they call you,” Kuzma said.

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COMOX VALLEY

MARCH 2019

Comox Valley Agrifood And Aquaculture Industries Grow Products, Jobs

OMOX VALLEY – For those wanting to partake in a “100 Mile Diet”, there is perhaps no better location to do that than in the Comox Valley. A larger than average number of agriculture and aquaculture companies dots the area’s map, as well as numerous wineries, craft breweries and distilleries. All of which add significantly to the local economy, creating hundreds of well paying jobs. “It’s not just our geography that makes the Comox Valley an attractive place for agrifood and aquaculture operations,” notes Comox Valley Economic Development Society Executive Director John Watson. “It’s the people behind these operations, the ones that have chosen to live and invest here. It’s no coincidence that the reason they have come is because the Comox Valley is not only open for business, but has a significant trading area, excellent growing conditions and incredible support for the farm to fork experience.” Strategic plans unveiled years ago recognized opportunities in the agrifood, seafood and beverage industries, and CVEDS members and directors made the decision to target potential operators to explore the Comox Valley as home to their operations. The strategy has worked, as the number and variety of companies in these sectors testifies to its success. It was CVEDS/Invest Comox Valley that supported the significant expansion of the immensely popular BC Seafood Festival, scheduled this year for June 7-16 throughout the Comox Valley and BC. Designed to showcase the area’s wide variety of seafood producers, range of products and eateries, it attracts hundreds of international buyers, as well as many more visitors. Invest Comox Valley held a special promotional Media, VIP and Chef Event March 12 at the Pacific Yacht in Vancouver, moored in front of the Westin Bayshore Hotel. Hundreds of people showed up to taste food and beverage prepared by chefs from Locals Restaurant and Blackfin Pub, and other famous chefs from the lower mainland, including Mardy Ra and celebrity TV chef Nathan Fong, the Executive Chef Producer for the Festival. 40 Knots Estate Winery & Vineyard, and the Fanny Bay Oyster Bar, were also in attendance. Invest Comox Valley has hosted these events in years past, and they’ve proven to be a key to enticing buyers to the Festival, where they make connections to purchase products and sign supplier contracts. Through successful companies like Fanny Bay Oysters, Mac’s Oysters and Pentlatch Seafoods Ltd. – which has worldwide sales of over two million oysters per year - the Comox Valley produces the most oysters in Canada, and the most shellfish in BC. It is also home to the head office of the BC Shellfish Growers Association, and the primary products produced are clams and oysters. Investor opportunities in the local

be part of a Student Spaceflight Experiments Program Mission 13 to the International Space Station designed by Parksville students

Mac’s Oysters and Unruly Gin were among the Comox Valley products shared with guests at a BC Seafood Festival launch event in Vancouver in March shellfish industry include purchases of smaller scale operating farms, and capital investment in growing corporations, as well as developing seed nurseries, producing new species and processing. Over 50 per cent of BC’s cultured shellfish is already produced in the waters surrounding the Comox Valley including Baynes Sound, and demand for shellfish from the clean waters of BC is increasing rapidly. The primary products, at this point, are clams and oysters although there are emerging opportunities to produce other species such as geoducks, sea cucumbers and urchins, amongst others. The variety of other agrifood products grown, harvested and made in the Comox Valley is extensive, with over 400 farms in the region, and one of the few place in Canada with a year round local Farmers Market. CVEDS also produces the Comox Valley Growers Guide annually to showcase the range of producers and products to support increase farm gate sales and consumption. Beaver Meadow Farms/Natural Pastures Cheese & Beef They produce a number of bries and camemberts, including Amsterdammer and Boerenkaas, and their ever expanding variety of cheese made from Water Buffalo milk includes mozzarellas, bries, cream cheeses and feta. Big D’s Bees This is a family owned and operated honey farm at the popular Coastal Black Estate Winery in Black Creek. They are bee keepers throughout the year, and sell berries and pumpkins. Daniel Ludwig explains that all honey does not taste the same, and they produce a variety – Fireweed, Wildflower (good for seasonal allergies), Creamy Honey, Cinnamon Honey and a Creamy Cocoa Honey for chocolate lovers. They sell their wares at grocery stores throughout Vancouver Island and at farm markets, and they also sell bee hives and equipment. Blue Moon Winery & Ravens Moon Craft Cider This family owned and operated craft winery/cidery and blueberry

farm is just five minutes from downtown Courtenay, and offers a Tasting Room for visitors to try their small batch award winning wines and ciders. Cedar Meadow Ranch They raise Registered Polled Herefords and have heifers and bulls for sale. The also raise Registered Romney sheep breeding stock, with ewe lambs and ram lambs for sale. Each September, they sell fresh, hormone and antibiotic-free lamb by the side or whole. First and second cut hay is also available. Clever Crow Farm Lia and Brian McCormick produce flaked finishing sea salts, as well as herbs and spices, along with vegetables and organic eggs. Estevan Tuna Corp. Bruce and Dianne Devereux of the MV Estevan offer a full range of Pacific Albacore Tuna products, including vacuum packed raw and cold smoked loins, tuna tataki, packed in natural olive oil and smoked poptop tins.

Gunter Bros. meat company A third generation Comox Valley business run by Harry and Dennis Gunter, this company specializes in custom meat processing. They can process beef, pork, lamb, bison and fallow deer. They also make homemade sausages, bacon, hams and other cured meats. Gya Glyn Farm Located in Black Creek, this family farm and greenhouse produces naturally grown vegetables, fruit, eggs and meat, including grassfed, pasture-raised beef, lamb and pork. Produce includes asparagus, garlic, rhubarb, raspberries and apples. Eatmore Sprouts & Greens Ltd. This certified organic operation grows 9,000 pounds of organic sprouts each week. Sprouts include: alfalfa, deli blend, garlic blend, clover, broccoli, mixed bean sprouts, pea shoots, sunflower greens and micro greens. They also produce a selection of salad greens and vegetables. Eat More Sprouts is delighted to

Beaufort Vineyard and Estate Winery The first grape growing vineyard in the Comox Valley, General Manager Mark Timmermans is General Manager at Beaufort, owned by famous film director James Cameron and his family. Beaufort is dedicated to environmentally sustainable practices in their organically certified vineyard, where they grow eight different grape varieties, and they craft small batch wines in the cellar. They also have a tasting room. Tree Island Gourmet Yogurt Scott DiGuistini and Merissa Myles oversee the making of artisan yogurt, made with non-homogenized milk from grass-fed cows and traditional kettle cooking, as they make old fashioned cream-top and greek yogurt. Their products are available through the Comox Valley grocery stores and beyond. Victorian Acres Farm This family farm in the heart of Dove Creek has been producing farm products for residents and businesses for over 30 years, all of which are naturally raised with no added hormones, antiobiotics or medicated feeds. They offer grass-fed beef, chickens, eggs and turkey, as well as they sell hay. Sleeping Dog & Mermaid Farm – if you need to cut to add others… Specializing in heirloom tomatoes, peppers and pumpkins, they also grow seasonal vegetables, greenhouse starts, succulents and flowers. Besides that, they make beeswax lotion bars and create planters, tins and bouquets for customers.

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OFF THE COVER

MARCH 2019

Buildings From The Malahat To Port Hardy To Be Celebrated At April 14 Gala In Courtenay AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the Town of Comox Marina Park in Comox. VIREB 2019 Finalists Renovation (5) • Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn – Duncan • La-Z-Boy Distribution Centre/ Furniture Gallery Warehouse – Nanaimo • L ions Va l ley View Estates - Courtenay • B uilding Envelope Remediation Construction Service - Nanaimo • L acasse Construction Office – Courtenay Multi Family Townhome (4) • G l acier View Tow n homes - Comox • B rownstone Townhomes – Campbell River • S tonegate Estates Phase II - Chemainus • M a g n o l i a A p a r t m e n t s - Nanaimo Multi Family Apartment (2) • The Lookout • Harbour City Flats Multi Family Non Market (3) • Toquaht Nation 8 Unit Duplex Project • T la-o-qui-aht Demonstration Container Housing - Tofino • Nuutsumuut Lelum - Nanaimo Institutional (7) • CV Child Development Centre Autism Centre of Excellence

The Twin Sail Buildings in the Town of Comox Marina Park was named last year’s Judges’ Choice Best Overall Entry - Courtenay • Brentwood College Athletic Facility – Mill Bay • T lucha Children’s Facility - Tofino • VIU Centre for Health and Science - Nanaimo • V I U A u to m o t i v e, T ra d e s a nd M a r i ne Development - Nanaimo • Nanaimo Christian School Gym - Nanaimo • Berwick Comox Valley - Comox Civil (2) • Campbell River Water Supply

Centre – Campbell River • Meade Creek Recycling Facility – Lake Cowichan Community (3) • F a y e S m i t h M e m o r i a l – Qualicum Beach • C enten n i a l Pa rk Covered Multi-Purpose Court Building - Nanaimo • A r b u t u s P a rk Wa s h ro o m - Youbou Mixed Use (6) • Lucky House - Tofino • I nter Island Design Centre - Parksville

• H e a d q u a r t e r s B u i l d i n g - Parksville • Shelly Square - Parksville • 4535 Uplands Drive - Nanaimo • Legasea - Nanaimo Industrial (2) • H e r r i n g G u l l Wa re h o u s e - Parksville • Parhar Business Park - Duncan Retail (6) • Tim Hortons - Duncan • L a-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor/Furniture Gallery - Nanaimo • Q u a l it y Fo o d s H a rewo o d

- Nanaimo • Q uality Foods Commercial Rental Units - Nanaimo • M a rk ’s Wo rk Wa re h o u s e - Nanaimo • H a r b o u r v i e w A u t o h a u s - Nanaimo The event is expected to sell out, and tickets are $125 plus GST, which can be booked through www.businessexaminer.ca/ events For further questions about the event, contact MacDonald at mark@businessexaminer.ca

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ALBERNI VALLEY

MARCH 2019

Dave Team Tops Province As Highest Volume Team Realtor Dave Koszegi Dedicates Prestigious Award to Local Student

ORT ALBERNI - 2018 was a challenging year for the Dave Team, but the silver lining came in the form of a prestigious award at the recent R4 Conference in Las Vegas. The Dave Team, lead by life-long Port Alberni resident Dave Koszegi, was recognized as the Highest Volume Team in BC for all RE/MAX Western Canada realtors. “This was a pretty incredible win for us,” says Koszegi, who was present to receive the award. “I wasn’t initially signed up for the conference, so when I got a letter from RE/MAX telling me that I should attend, I had to change my plans.” The Dave Team has been in RE/MAX Top 100 for the last 15 years or so, and in 2004, Koszegi won Highest Volume as an individual realtor, but this is its first time winning Highest Volume Team. “We were going up against teams in big cities with nine or ten sales people,” he says. “Throughout the last year, we pulled this off with three licensed members. By end of December, we had completed 263 sale ends.” When a local reporter asked Koszegi how many transactions his team had sold throughout 2018, he initially didn’t know. “Last year was very hard,” he says. “One of my main assistants’ son passed away, and it took a big toll on our whole team. “He was a fantastic kid, and an Honors Engineering student at UBC. He had worked with us for a week and a half while doing a co-op, and was loved and respected by the community. When we found out about his passing, the whole community took it pretty hard.” Reeling from the loss, Koszegi and

Dave Koszegi (Right) was recognized as the Highest Volume Team at the Re/Max of Western Canada Awards

could visit the family, and for about a week, we couldn’t function.” After the news the Dave Team continued to work on serving their clients. In a way, this helped them to cope with the immense pain. “When we announced that we had won the award, we thanked the loyal clients and friends of Port Alberni for making it happen, but we dedicated this win to Griffin Dolling,” says Koszegi. “He was an amazing kid, and we feel like this win was something good that came from such a sad situation.” Several other factors played into the Dave Team’s award. With markets beginning to

pull back in places like Vancouver and Victoria, the relatively low price of property in Port Alberni has made the area an attractive market for buyers. “It’s a perfect storm,” says Koszegi. “We B1 ge have inventory the value’s good, and fipa – nancing is still reasonable. Also, we just aRdS 1 eB W ag t work really hard. Ba –p Buckleing Re S I l V Fi Rd “I’ve had people interview to work at withWa t Wd I exBa ke o our team and ask ‘what hours should e c Bu lling IR CR Fi tV Rd of them.’ a pect to work?’ My response is ‘all o C is m Wd Re ct str » click Rowith the If you enjoy working, you’ll e C j n Rd pro he co m nd group. This award shows that Co we’re work13 sla est en in t ct is r Re 20 rI w » e m e t e v ing around the clock to sell clients’couhomes.” ’ n or wo roj cons n nadis nd f st p n the Va a l www.daveteam.ca2013 H u i s r aI gro we en 5 ge 15 20 pa 12 130 d 20 ry an f go 12 e o te 20 Jun of a te C o in d in da

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Koszegi was born and raised in Port Alberni and has been recognized as one of the top realtors in the province

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his team stopped keeping track of their numbers. “When my wife and I found out, it was like time stopped,” he continues. “Some friends came over and took our kids so we

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Sasco Contractors Ltd. is the trusted

Ian Bartlett, Regional Manager

electrical contractor for many of BC’s

premier contractors, property management companies, facilities, and building owners.

Victoria, BC V9B 4G4

Now with, an oﬃce on Vancouver Island

250.940.4000

we challenge ourselves with each new project

www.sascocontractors.com

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MARCH 2019

ISLAND RESTORATION COMPANY CELEBRATES 50 YEAR HISTORY Pro Pacific DKI and RS Restoration DKI Join Forces to Serve Vancouver Island

ANCOUVER ISLAND Pro Pacific DKI has a lot to celebrate. In a story that began 50 years ago, Nanaimo-based Pro Pacific DKI and RS Restoration DKI from Victoria recently completed a formal amalgamation. The resulting business, with a territory that covers almost 90 per cent of the Vancouver Island population, will continue under the Pro Pacific brand. “We are celebrating the amalgamation of two of Vancouver Island’s biggest home-grown restoration companies,” says A mber W hite, P ro Paci f ic’s Business Development Manager. “The ownership group are all Island-based business people,” says White. “Under the guidance of Kev Algar, the current CEO, RS Restoration DKI was acquired on December 1, 2016 and Pro Pacific DKI was acquired on July 1, 2017. At that time, Cory Lesstrange, the founder of Pro Pacific joined the ownership group as COO. Cory and Kev continue to work daily in the business as its operating partners. “As you can imagine, there was a lot of discussion around what

Congratulations to Pro Paciﬁc DKI on your 50th Anniversary 3900 N Island Highway, Nanaimo

P: 250.758.3374 www.budgetglass.com

name to take after the amalgamation. The Pro Pacific DKI name had great brand awareness and would fit well with our sister company Pro Pacific Hazmat, RS Restoration DKI had a long and successful history. As part of the decision process, our employees were also given a voice and it was ultimately decided to go with Pro Pacific DKI.” Today, Pro Pacific DKI offers a wide variety of restoration services including water & flood, fire & smoke, storm & wind, mould remediation, odour control services, asbestos removal & remediation, and more. Each job is carefully managed and completed by members of the company’s staff, who are trained to the highest standard in all areas of restoration. Pro Pacific DKI has offices in Nanaimo, Victoria, Duncan and Port Alberni, with plans in the pipeline for a fifth location in the near future. The Pro Pacific DKI team is currently over 80 strong with over 40 vehicles to service our customer base. This is expected to grow to around 100 team members and 50 vehicles in the near future. With this recent growth, the company is actively looking for strong team players, at all levels and locations. Pro Pacific Hazmat, the sister company to Pro Pacific DKI, provides residential and light commercial hazardous materials abatement services across Vancouver Island and industrial hazmat abatement across the province. They have offices and staff in two locations on the Island, Victoria and Nanaimo and can provide asbestos, mould, lead and biohazard abatement services. Pro Pacific DKI was founded by Cory Lesstrange in 1997 as Pacific Steam Cleaning and Restoration. It started with one van as a home-based business performing property maintenance contracts and cleaning services around central Vancouver Island. Early on, Lesstrange realized that the restoration industry SEE PRO PACIFIC DKI | PAGE 17

Pro Pacific DKI offers a wide variety of restoration services including water & flood, fire & smoke, storm & wind, mould remediation, odour control services, asbestos removal & remediation, and more

The company uses a wide array of equipment and cutting edge technology to get the job done

Congratulations to Pro Pacific DKI on your 50th Anniversary!

since 1986.

w w w. u n i t e d f l o o r s . c a #104-2520 Bowen Road, Nanaimo • 250-758-4664

MARCH 2019

Waste from a Pro Pacific DKI Project

A recent Pro Pacific DKI Project

PRO PACIFIC DKI CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

held much more opportunity for growth and he began building a name with clients for flood remediation services. The company started to grow quickly when restoration became its primary focus. In the early years, Cory had learned to take nothing for granted and knew that, in order to be the contractor of choice, the company had to offer the highest levels of service, living by the motto “you are only as good as your last job.” The business made a name for itself early on by providing that superior level of service to strata and property management companies in the Central Island region and became that “contractor of choice” for numerous properties. Many of these relationships still exist today. In 2005, the business “left home” and moved to a small commercial space in order to accommodate the growth it had achieved. However, by 2006 the company was on the move again, this time to warehouse space on

Fleet Place that was 10 times the size of the previous location. In the same year, the name of the Company was changed to Pro Pacific Restoration. Business continued to grow, but Cory noticed that the industry was changing. Insurance companies were adopting preferred vendor programs and awarding contracts to larger, nationwide, restoration companies with head offices in the same cities as the insurer’s corporate offices. Although various options were considered, in 2009 the company joined Disaster Kleenup Canada, now known as DKI Canada, which is Canada’s leading network of independent restoration companies. DKI Canada was chosen due to the strength it brought as a result of its size and the diverse array of business owners and professionals in the network. It gave Pro Pacific the benefit of joining a nationally recognized organization, with access to nationwide preferred vendor contracts, without Cory losing control of the business as most franchise agreements would require.

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In June 2017, Pro Pacific DKI was presented with an industry award for achieving the highest customer service levels in Western Canada. Earlier that same year, a simple “meet and greet”, with the new owners of their DKI neighbour to the South, progressed to the sale of the company and the eventual amalgamation process that created the Pro Pacific DKI that today serves Vancouver Island from Courtenay/Comox in the North to Sidney in the South and all points in between. RS Restoration is celebrating 50 years in the restoration industry, having been founded by David L. Drewry in 1969. “A Victoria native, he moved to Vancouver to attend university,” says Roy Abrams, who previously owned RS Restoration with his wife Gladys. “He started his career as an insurance adjuster in Vancouver but soon decided that he would rather be back on the Island. He also decided that being an insurance adjuster was not the career for him, and instead decided to pursue the restoration aspect of the industry.”

Drewry purchased a small window cleaning company to provide him with income while he was building relationships with key contacts in the insurance industry. It also helped prepare him for work in a service industry, build the necessary infrastructure, and develop a small labour force. “So, having named the company Restoration Services and equipped with his inexperienced

labour force, one pickup truck, several Canadian Tire suitcase fans and some used boxes from Safeway, he embarked on his restoration contractor career,” says Roy. “Gladys and I moved to Victoria in 1971 and I met David Drewry through my work. We quickly formed a good working relationship and friendship and SEE PRO PACIFIC DKI | PAGE 18

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MARCH 2019

A Pro Pacific DKI dump truck at a city parade

PRO PACIFIC DKI CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

I went to work for him in 1978 as a general manager and project manager.” A sailing enthusiast, Drewry decided to take a year off in 1985 to travel. During this time, he entered into a contract with the Abrams, putting Roy in charge of the company while he was away. “This worked out so well for both of us that when he got back from his travels, he decided not to come back into the business,” says Roy. “In 1988, we started negotiations for Gladys and I to purchase the shares of Restoration Services. The process being completed in 1989 with a name change to RS Restoration Services.” In the fall of 1989, the Island

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faced successive severe storm fronts that lasted into early 1990, resulting in thousands of flood and wind damage claims. As a result, RS Restoration Services acquired new employees and equipment to meet the demand. “It was this sudden growth, together with the implementation of GST on January 1, 1990, that led to Gladys joining the company as CFO and HR administrator”, Roy continues. “The large volume of claims allowed us to aggressively upgrade all aspects of our company. By this time, we had also outgrown our 2000 ft.² warehouse and we purchased the building on Fairview Road where the company is located now.” Whilst all aspects of the business were growing, the Abrams saw the potential for the erosion

Proud supporter of Pro Pacific DKI, congratulations on your 50th Anniversary!

101 – 5180 Dublin Way, Nanaimo TF: 1.855.229.7970 E: info@polarissolutions.ca www.polarissolutions.ca

Welcome to the Family! Congratulations to Pro Pacific DKI on your 50th Anniversary, Wishing you continued success! 2555 Bowen Road, Nanaimo P: 800.406.5515 • www.nanaimotoyota.com

Although the structure has changed, the company’s focus on supporting local communities continues to this day of market share to national restoration brands who were coming to the Island because of all the claims generated by inclement weather. This led to RS joining the predecessor to DKI Canada in 2000, for much the same reasons that Pro Pacific Restoration joined several years later. Today, the new Pro Pacific remains a member of DKI. According to the organization’s website, “Only those companies that meet our minimum standards will be considered for membership. We work hard to maintain a positive and consistent level of service and responsibility through our membership.” DKI Canada has benchmark requirements for its new members. In order to maintain DKI Canada membership, companies must meet or exceed benchmark requirements”. Over the years, both RS and Pro Pacific have adopted industry leading technology and solutions to ensure their clients get the most effective and efficient service, and to help them stand out in their industry. The company has a contents cleaning system which is used to process smoke a nd water damaged contents in a dedicated environment, using Fireline ultrasonic hard contents cleaning equipment and Esporta soft goods cleaning equipment. They have also invested in a dry ice blasti ng mach i ne to remove smoke, soot and mould from fire and water damaged structures and a structural drying system that is able to rapidly dry an

Pro Pacific DKI at a recent job entire building. In 2007, the Abrams decided to open an RS location in Duncan. “Shortly after we opened, parts of low-lying Duncan suffered f looding during a heavy rain storm,” remarks Roy. “Due to the flood plain status of these areas, insurance was minimal if any, and the government offered modest financial assistance.” RS participated in homeowner information meetings and offered their damage assessment services at no charge. They very quickly realized the critical component that folks needed help with was mould abatement, but the lack of financial resources was a stumbling block. “Given that the mould problem was time sensitive, we decided to offer help to those in need free of charge, comments Roy. Through DKI, RS Restoration Services had access to a plant-based, safe anti-mould product called Benefect, which is highly effective when used appropriately. “Many people took us up on our offer,” says Roy. “It

generated an amazing amount of goodwill in the community and an unanticipated positive was the sense of pride our employees felt in being part of the process of helping these people.” Although the structure has changed, the company’s focus on supporting local communities continues to this day. Be it t h roug h suppor t i ng loca l causes or charities, or offering a helping hand, the company is committed to build into the communities that it has served for so many decades. “Pro Pacific put on the Park i n s o n S u p e r Wa l k i n N anaimo this last year, raising $12,000.00 for the Parkinson’s society,” says White. “We will be hosting the SuperWalk again this September 8th at Maffeo Sutton Park.” Currently, the company is a member of the BBB, Chamber of Commerce, VICA, WIC and the CHBA. To find out more, visit www. pro-pacific.ca

Congratulations to Pro Pacific DKI on your 50th Anniversary! P: 250.753.3641 E: info@normsmobile.ca www.normsmobile.ca

MARCH 2019

Award-Winning Home Health Care Company Continues To Grow Bayshore Home Health Wins Business Excellence Award, Launches Comox Valley Service

O M OX VA L L E Y Award-winning Bayshore Home Health is growing yet again. Not even three months in to 2019, Bayshore has already won a Grant Thornton Business Excellence Award and expanded its services to the Comox Valley. The innovative home care company took home top prize in the Health Care Category at the 19th Annual Grant Thornton Business Excellence Awards at the Nanaimo awards gala in January. “We were really honoured to be recognized as Health Care Company of the Year,” says Bayshore Area Director Stasia Hartley. “It was great to be recognized as a company that is doing excellent work in our communities. We feel that we are a Vancouver Island health care company, so the recognition for best health care company in the region fits with the launch of our Comox Valley Services.” Bayshore is a national private home care company with over 100 branches across Canada. The Victoria branch opened in 2008, followed by Nanaimo in 2013, Sidney in 2015, Qualicum Beach in 2017, and now Comox Valley. “When we bring our care model to a new region, we want to focus

Bayshore’s Care Manager model helps connect clients with personalized care on local leadership,” says Hartley. “Our Care Manager for the Comox Valley, Christopher Swift, grew up in the region and has returned to the Valley after working in Victoria for several years.” At this pace, Bayshore’s Vancouver Island iteration is opening a new branch every two years. According to Hartley, this rapid growth is thanks in part to the compa ny’s i n novat ive c a re

model. A year-and-a-half ago, Bayshore created a new position called a Care Manager. These Care Managers are consultants who meet with clients, connecting them with equipment companies, specialized health care consultants, renovation specialists, and other resources that allow them to stay safely in their home.

“We want to focus on offering our clients genuine care,” says Hartley. “They initially come to us for service, but they stay because of the relationship they build with our employees. “Our Care Managers work really hard to schedule an employee who works well with the client. The Care Manager will also meet with a client’s family and identify their needs. They might need equipment, or information, or access to government programs. Whatever the case, we want to help these families navigate an increasingly complex health care system and help them feel confident that their loved one is getting the care they need.” Additionally, Bayshore has a clinical nurse on call 24/7 who supports both employees and clients to identify and care for immediate health care needs. Clients can also set up regular clinical check-ins with these nurses. “A big part of being a great home care company is being a really good employer,” says Hartley. “In today’s market, health care workers are under great demand, and with an increased need for care, a great employee experience is critical. In order for a company

like ours to be successful, supporting workers and giving them a positive experience needs to be a top priority.” Bayshore’s reputation as an outstanding employer was recognized by the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce last Fall, which named the company as their Employer of the Year for 2018. The company attracts top-tier workers by allowing for a high degree of flexibility in scheduling employees. Many of the care workers have other employers and are looking for extra hours, so Bayshore works around their employees’ pre-existing schedules whenever possible. “Many of our part time staff are attracted by our benefits, which we offer to employees working as few as 15 hours per week,” says Hartley. “For those working 30 hours per week or more, we add dental coverage. This gives us an advantage over many other employers, and we know it’s important to people.” Currently, Bayshore has 187 employees on Vancouver Island and is on a course to surpass 200 employees over the next year or two. www.bayshore.ca

Your Story. Mounted For Your Office Wall. You’ve just had a story in the Business Examiner, or been involved in an Awards Program organized by the Business Examiner. Get it put on a plaque, so you can keep it forever, and let everyone who comes into your office read all about it!

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MARCH 2019

BOATING & MARINE Boating and Marinas Have Ripple Effect on Island Economy BC Boat Show Set to Make a Splash at Port Sidney Marina

ew regions are as connected to the boating industry as Vancouver Island. BC’s coast is home to over 200 marinas and dozens of boat builders, repair services, and marine related retail outlets. With its reputation as a marine travel destination, coastal economies benefit immensely from the success of the boating industry. Recent statistics indicate strong growth in the marine sector. In mid-2018, the National Marine Manufacturers Association Canada (NMMA Canada) published industry statistics for the 2017 fiscal year. Their publication showed the following: Approximately 39,094 new power boats sold in 2017, an increase of 4.7 per cent from 2016. Unit sales were up for the following boat categories: personal watercraft (up 12.8 per cent), outboard boats (up 4.3 per cent), sport jetboats (up 3.4 per cent), and sailboats (up 2 per cent). Outboard engine unit sales totaled 40,826 in 2017, up 2.8 per cent from the previous year, with corresponding dollars up 8.5 per cent to $321.6 million. Outboard boats accounted for the largest share (42.2 per cent) of pre-owned boats sold in Canada in 2017, followed by sterndrive boats (21.3 per cent) and personal watercraft (15.7 per cent). Canadian recreational boat imports totaled $831.9 million in 2017, up 21.3 per cent from 2016. Exports of recreational boats also increased, up 4.5 per cent to $179.8 million. According to the NMMA abstract, recreational boat and marine engine imports totaled $1.1 billion in 2017, with exports totaling $220 million. “Studies from the NMMA show that the recreational boating industry alone injects over $1 Billion into the BC economy annually,” says Steven Threadkell, Manager of the BC Boat Show. “Across the country, the recreational industry employs approximately 75,000 Canadians, which includes over 17,000 jobs in our province.” Threadkell manages the annual BC Boat Show through the BC Yacht Brokers Association

“Studies from the NMMA show that the recreational boating industry alone injects over $1 Billion into the BC economy annually.” - Steven Threadkell (BCY BA), wh ich is a private self-regulating not-for-profit society representing professional yacht brokers. “The BCYBA administers the Certified Professional Yacht Brokers (CPYB) exam, and all members of the organization need to pass the exam in order to maintain membership,” he says. “This ensures that boat buyers and the selling public are dealing with trained and knowledgeable professionals.” In addition to regulating brokers, the BCYBA endeavours to promote the recreational boating industry in BC. “There’s a ripple effect that comes from a vibrant recreational boating industry,” says Threadkell. “Think about maintenance and moorage, and the vast array of specialized marine businesses that people utilize when they own a boat: haulouts, repairs, refits, overhauls, aftermarket products, fibreglass repair work, rigging work, marine engines, etc. “Add itiona l ly, th is pa r t of the world is a world-class dest i nat ion. People come f rom everywhere to sail the cruising grounds on the coasts, from the Southern Gulf to Desolation Sound. People who come on

vacation and are boating spend money on a variety of things, so there is a benefit to every coastal town that is effected.” The BC Boat Show is the Isla nd’s la rgest i n-water boat show, with the capacity to surpass the Vancouver International Boat show with the most boats in the water. Because it is put on by the BCYBA, all revenues generated from the show go back to the association and growing the province’s recreational boating industry. The 29th annual BC Boat Show will be occurring May 2-5 at the Port Sidney Marina. This will be the event’s second year at the location. “This is an annual event that a lot of people look forward to,” says Threadkell. “For years, the show was put on in the inner harbour in Victoria. After some availability issues, we had to change locations, so we hosted the event in Sidney for the first time last year. This proved to be wildly successful, as attendance doubled and the number of participants were up 25 per cent.” As a floating boat show, attendees are able to see a variety of vessels on display by professional yacht brokers. They are able to speak with brokers about each

vessel, most of which are for sale. Over the last 29 yea rs, the event has evolved to include a strong educational component. The show features presentations from various organizations including Boating BC, one of the largest industry advocacy groups. “A number of exhibitors with environmentally friendly products will be there,” says Threadkell. “Clean boating has been a big push for us for a long time now, not just for the boats themselves, but also for the marina facilities that house them. There w ill be a strong educational component that way. “Last year, we added the Mercy Ships organization to our roster. They provide full medical services to coastal communities in third world countries with a huge hospital ship that houses operating theatres, huge amounts of medicine, and qualified surgeons. There’s more than just nice boats for sale at the boat show. There’s lots to see and learn.” The show will also feature a floating food garden and tented event space across from the marina. Find out more at www.bcyba. com/bcboatshow

BOATING & MARINE

MARCH 2019

PACIFIC BOAT BROKERS CONNECTS SELLERS WITH INTERNATIONAL BUYERS “We have many brokers Parksville-Based Company Fields Brokers from Mexico to Alaska

ARKSVILLE - For sellers all over the Island, Pacific Boat Brokers is making it easier than ever to list both commercial and recreational boats. Located in the French Creek Harbour for over 20 years, Pacific Boat Brokers is attracting clients from all over North America with their free listing service. The brokerage has five office support staff and 10 independent brokers working from Mexico to Alaska with over 175 years of combined experience. “It doesn’t cost anything to list your boat for sale with our company,” says Manager Garth Leighton. “You just contact one of our brokers or the head office, and a broker will get in touch to set up an appointment. Clients will want to make sure their vessel is cleaned and ready for a photo shoot before the broker comes, takes pictures, and fills out the specs of the vessel to publish on our website.” “We have a vast knowledge of boats, especially in the commercial fishing industry. Our client list is currently over 8,500, and we have nearly 1,400 people who are subscribed to our weekly newsletter that includes the latest listings and price changes.” Pacific Boat Brokers’ website sees nea rly 20,000 month ly visitors, and they sell a boat about every four days. In addition to posting listing on their website, the company lists on boats.com, boatdealers.ca, used.com, Craigslist, and numerous magazines. “We have many brokers who have experience in different areas including pleasure boats, tug boats, barges, fishing boats, and more,” says Leighton. “We’re currently the only brokerage in BC that represents the commercial fishing industry. We also sell licenses, permits, and quotas.” The company was founded in 1997 by Darryl Henry and Randy Grant. In 2002, Brian Mose purchased Grant’s half of the company, eventually becoming the sole owner. “The founders started to meet a demand for a company to help fishermen sell boats and licenses,” says Leighton. “French Creek is a commercial harbour, so a lot of the boats were already right here in the Harbour where our office is.” The company, initially called French Creek Boat Sales, ended up purchasing a Prince Rupert company called Pacific Boat Brokers in 2002, and after its purchase of Paramount Marine

who have experience in different areas including pleasure boats, tug boats, barges, fishing boats, and more,” says Leighton. “We’re currently the only brokerage in BC that represents the commercial fishing industry. We also sell licenses, permits, and quotas.”

The Pacific Boat Brokers Office at the French Creek Harbour

GARTH LEIGHTON MANAGER AT PACIFIC BOAT BROKERS

in 2006, they amalgamated the companies in 2007, rebranding under the Pacific Boat Brokers name. “Over the last 10 years, we’ve ended up diversifying, going beyond just the commercial and industrial sectors,” Leighton remarks. “We now have a pleasure boat section, which is a large part of what we do today.” As a brokerage, the company represents private owners of vessels, and doesn’t sell any new manufactured vessels. While many brokerages tend to work out of their home marina, representing a single manufacturer and local sellers, Pacific Boat Brokers represents vessels all over the Pacific coast. In addition to the brokers at the company’s head office in Parksville, BC, they have brokers in Nanaimo, Victoria, Vancouver and as far as Washington state, A laska, and Mexico Many of them have been with the company for over a decade. To date, the compa ny has faci l itated boat sales to international buyers from places like Australia, Croatia, and the Caribbean. “We also facilitate the title transfers for people who buy boats through us,” says Leighton. “If somebody from Croatia buys one of our listed boats, we have access to many different ser v ices i nclud i ng capta i ns for hire and shipping companies who can help complete the process.” To find out more or to view the company’s listings, visit www. pacificboatbrokers.com.

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VANCOUVER ISLAND

MARCH 2019

Victoria Manufacturers Set the World on Fire Sherwood Industries Celebrates 30th Anniversary

(Left to right) Stuart O’Connor and Cherbel Yousief are owners of Sherwood Industries

IC T OR I A - Sherwood Industries is continuing its hot streak. This June will mark three decades since the locally owned and operated manufacturing company began producing its internationally renowned Enviro brand wood stoves, pellet stoves, and gas fireplaces. Founded by Thomas O’Connor, Martin O’Connor, and Cherbel Yousief, the company has developed a reputation for luxury products, shipping Enviro fireplaces around the globe. “A ll three of us came from different backgrounds,” says Yousief, who remains one of the company’s co-owners. “I have a background in finance, marketing, and sales, while Tom and Martin [brothers] had expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and production. “The three of us had the perfect skills to complement each other, so we decided to start a small manufacturing operation. When we started, I was in my 20s while they were in their 40s, which allowed for a smooth transition when they decided to retire.” The company started by specializing exclusively in wood stoves, but a few years in, the North American market began to see a growing demand for pellet stoves. “The pellet stove industry was still in its infancy, and we decided to jump in and develop new products,” says Yousief. “Our pellet stoves were so reliable that they were being sold all over North America. During those first two years, our sales more than tripled and our reputation grew, allowing us to move into overseas markets.” For a period, Sherwood Industries was dubbed “the Pellet Kings,” as the Enviro brand grew to become one of the world’s best pellet stove brands. They began distributing in Europe, Japan, New Zealand, and other international markets.

“Anyone can make a fireplace that has a tin box and 10 lighters. Our product stands apart from

The production line at Sherwood’s facility in the Keating Industrial Park

those types of fireplaces, especially because we put so much focus on the esthetics. We look at flame distribution, height of flame, placement, texture on the logs, coloring and more. We put them together, and the complete package is amazing. Every little detail is intentional and well-thought-out. We don’t rush our products to market, so when the customer gets it, it’s well worth the money.” STUART O’CONNOR

A laser used in production of Enviro Products “When you grow at that rate, you attract a lot of attention,” Yousief remarks. “After a few years, some manufacturers who had never seen a pellet stove in their life jumped on the bandwagon and got into the business. The market in Europe became saturated, but we have always remained as one of the dominant pellet stove brands in North America.” Over the last few years, the compa ny has moved i n new directions, developing a line of top-tier gas fireplaces. In 2014, Martin and Thomas O’Connor retired, selling their interest to Yousief and Martin’s son, Stuart O’Connor. Stuart had been involved in the business since 1995, starting as an employee in the purchasing department. As he worked his way up the ranks, Stuart learned the inner workings of the business thanks to a combination of hands-on experience and mentorship from Yousief. Since taking over the company, Stuart has brought an emphasis on its line of gas fireplaces, which has now exceeded the pellet stove

product lines in annual sales. “One of the challenges with the pellet stove market is that it can be quite dependant on oil prices,” says Stuart. “One year, the demand will be so high that we can’t make them fast enough, but the next year could be off. That situation can be challenging when you have to ramp up employees, then let people go, and we were experiencing a recurring cycle of slow and busy seasons. The gas fireplace business is a lot more stable, and it’s a growing industry.” The Sherwood Industries team pays extremely close attention to detail with each one of their products. “Anyone can make a fireplace that has a tin box and 10 lighters,” says Stuart. “Our product stands apart from those types of fireplaces, especially because we put so much focus on the esthetics. “We look at flame distribution, height of flame, placement, texture on the logs, coloring and more. We put them together, and the complete package is amazing. Every little detail is intentional and well-thought-out. We don’t

rush our products to market, so when the customer gets it, it’s well worth the money.” Since changing its focus, the company has continued to grow. It has maintained its reputation for excellence, offering a high-end product that is in demand across North America. The company still ships its products overseas, taking orders from New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and parts of Europe. Over the last 30 years, the owners have decided to keep the business in Victoria, in spite of high manufacturing costs. “Victoria is the Beverly Hills of manufacturing,” says Stuart. “It’s more expensive to be here, but we’ve decided to stay. I grew up here, and we value our local employee base.” Yousief remarks, “We have been in this area for 30 years, and are invested in this community. It’s part of the fabric of who we are. We could make more money in a place like Arkansas, but this is where our families and employees live. Some of our people have been with us since our first year in business. It’s hard to leave when you have that kind of integration and commitment from your work force.” The company employs as many as 200 employees, who work out of a 100,000 square foot facility in the Keating Industrial Park. Today, they are operating at capacity, and will be looking at expansion plans in the coming years. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, allowing them to maintain the industry’s highest standards. All the cutting, designing, research and development, and finishing are completed in-house. www.enviro.com

MARCH 2019

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MARCH 2019

FORBIDDEN MECHANICAL TAKES OVER TRACTION COURTENAY “We’re continually

P: 250.951.2082 william@veldtparts.com www.veldtparts.com

service and purchasing power, giving the best price to the customer. Acquiring Traction gives us direct buying power to all of their suppliers, giving us better pricing

The Forbidden Mechanical Parts Department: (left to right) Jim (Parts Manager), Candace, and Frankie

and better customer service.” MATT ENNS GENERAL MANAGER OF FORBIDDEN MECHANICAL

In conjunction with its acquisition of Traction Courtenay, Forbidden is set to become a Certified TruckPro service centre. By May, 2019, the full process of consolidation and certification will be complete, making the shop a member of the largest network of independent heavy vehicle repair centres in Canada. A recent press release described the following advantages to this certification: • A comprehensive North America-wide warranty, honoured in over 1,100 service centres throughout Canada and the United States; • G overnment accredited insp ect ion s a nd prevent ive maintenance programs in most Canadian provinces; • A wide selection of services and over 200 national brands of products for the ma i ntenance and repair of heavy vehicles. “We’re very excited about this designation as it includes warranties, support, and special training programs that will help us bring even better service to our clients,” says Enns. Founded in 2017, Forbidden Mechanical believes in the value

Ben (Service Manager) and Kait (Service Writer) of honest, reliable service. “We have an incredible staff, and some of our employees have over 30 years of experience,” Enns remarks. “Many of the technicians have extensive experience working with logging, agricultural, and commercial transport machinery. “Combined, we have a very strong team with decades of experience,” Enns continues. “Our parts manager has over 20 years of parts management experience. We have ticketed automotive techs with dealership training, and multiple employees with a commercial vehicle inspection ticket. “In total, we have nine ticketed SEE FORBIDDEN MECHANICAL INC | PAGE 25

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OURTENAY - Forbidden Mechanical Inc. is already growing. Just two years after its beginning, the heavy duty parts and service shop is in the process of acquiring Traction Courtenay. “We’re continually looking at ways to improve our customer service and purchasing power, giving the best price to the customer,” says General Manager Matt Enns. “Acquiring Traction gives us direct buying power from all of their suppliers, giving us better pricing and better customer service.” Upon the completion of this acquisition, Forbidden Mechanical will have all of Traction Courtenay’s inventory and major assets (such as tools and computers), as well as two of their employees. “We’ll be bringing it all over to our shop on Piercy Road, and will continue to operate under the Forbidden Mechanical name,” says Enns. “Traction is a company that allows you to purchase through them with direct access to suppliers. This includes parts for all types of equipment and trucks, and an ability to buy directly from all aftermarket suppliers.”

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Forbidden Mechanical’s shop on Piercy Road says E n n s. “ We get a lot of on-highway calls for grocery delivery trucks. We service a lot of five to ten tonne size units, and a lot of construction delivery vehicles, including crane trucks for different building companies in town. “A huge part of our business is agriculture. We’re very diversified, and work on tractors, trailers, implements - just about anything that runs on a farm. We also stock a lot of agricultural oils and lubricants. “We currently maintain some large local fleets and have worked with them to design preventative maintenance programs to streamline servicing, provide reminders for CVIs and ultimately

Forbidden Mechanical offers 24/7 callouts for both parts and service

FORBIDDEN MECHANICAL INC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

heavy duty mechanics, three ticketed auto mechanics, two ticketed welder fabricators, and two heavy duty apprentices.” The team includes techs who have factory training through Finning, Link-Belt, Case, Cummins, and Waratah. “One of the most significant services we offer is our 24/7 callout for both parts and service,” says Enns. “We have six mobile shop trucks, and have guys

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working out in the field full time. We’re the only shop in the Comox Valley that has multiple service trucks for mobile repair.” Their full list of services includes: scheduled heavy duty service and repair; 24/7 mobile roadside service and repair across Vancouver Island; access to parts for all makes and models; certified commercial vehicle inspections; diagnostics; welding and fabrication; sandblasting; mobile power washing; commercial transport repair, and more. “To limit down time, we split

our staff into two shifts (7:00 AM-3:30 PM and 3:30 PM-Midn i g h t), w h i c h a l l o w s u s to promptly complete jobs,” says Enns. “Callouts or walk-ins are usually addressed within half of an hour.” The shop has up-to-date Snap On scan tools for automotive and heavy duty jobs, as well as the ISUZU/GMC IDSS computer light truck specific scan tool, Cummins Insight, CAT SIS and Volvo OEM to assist with an accurate and prompt diagnosis. “Our clients are quite diverse,”

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control spending.” Forbidden Mechanical is also very involved in the logging industry, and stock parts for almost all makes and models of logging equipment and logging trucks. Over the last six months, the company has expanded to offer automotive service, hiring two ticketed auto mechanics who focus on personal vehicles. In order to better serve these clients, the Piercy Road shop is open long hours, offering service, repair, parts, commercial inspection, welding, and fabrication from 7am to midnight, Monday to Friday. Mov i ng for wa rd, t he shop hopes to further expand its service hours, keeping the parts and service departments open on weekends. “We understand the Comox Valley is a small community and we strive to provide a high level of quality and service to ensure we will be here for many years to come,” Enns says. “As we live and work here, we also believe in giving back to the community. “Forbidden Mechanical supports local charities like You Are Not Alone (YANA), as well as accepting work placement students f rom Nor th Isla nd College and all three local high schools. Forbidden also is involved with the CFB Comox to assist with veterans returning to the workforce.” For more information, visit www.forbiddenmechanical.com

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MARCH 2019

Cruising 101: Using a Cruise Consultant To Reduce Your Stress

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icture this: you have been planning your dream vacation for over a year a nd you are enjoying your vacation when you find out that London Heathrow airport has been shut down and your f light home is cancelled. That is what happened when the volcano erupted in Iceland! Almost 70 per cent of cruisers use a cruise agent because they see the value of the cruise agency because they understand that buying a cruise can be complicated. I have been with Expedia CruiseShipCenters for almost 10 years and I can tell you that Cruise Consultants are your biggest advocate when something goes wrong. A great example of this was the volcano eruption in Iceland. If you are cruising for the first time, seeking the assistance of a cruise consultant is simply a smart idea. If you are a cruise novice, you may still run into questions regarding such things about locat ion on t he sh ip, or dining reservations. T he common misconception is that using a travel agency costs more money, but this is simply not true. The price of the cruise is the same -if not better- as it is the cruise line that actually pays us for taking excellent care of you.

Jeremy McLeod, MA Cruise agents can help:  Choose the cruise line that is right for you.  Make your booking.  Choose a n appropr i ate stateroom.  Assist with dining times and submit special meal requests.  Arrange airfare and transportation to the ship itself.  Help with pre and post hotel stays. What are you doing while at these exciting ports? Let cruise agents guide you with shore excursions. Offer advice on travel insurance which is so important for Canadians visiting the US!  A r ra nge for a ref u nd, i f needed. Making the right choice for your upcoming vacation. It’s important to keep in mind

that when booking a cruise you make the majority of your decisions at one time. Everything from transportation, dining, hotels and even entertainment. All of these factors impact your cruise experience, so making the right choice is critical. A good Cruise Consultant will steer you toward the right selections for your vacation and reduce your stress. My advice is to interview an agent before you commit. You are, in fact, hiring them for their services and you should want someone with cruise experience. Ask them if they are a member of CLIA (Cruise Line International Association); this is one of North America’s leading organizations and has accredited and certified Cruise Counsellors. Agents can save you money. The cruise lines tend to communicate deals to their top cruise agencies first. Some of these deals never appear in the Times Colonist or even the website of the cruise line itself. I understand that the cruise line’s promotions are confusing and at times, overwhelming; a great Cruise Consultant knows how to play the game. Call our office in Comox Valley at 250-334-3323 or Victoria at 250-381-7447 to schedule a complimentary meeting to plan your next vacation!

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CONSTRUCTION

MARCH 2019

Another Record Year Construction

or the second year in a row, construction on Vancouver Island set records with building permits increasing nine per cent to $2.45 billion in 2018 and construction employment increasing 3.8 per cent to 35,700 workers. “Population and income growth, low interest rates and consumer confidence spurred demand for homes and buildings across Vancouver Island last year,” said Rory Kulmala, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA). “In turn, construction continued to help drive regional economies.” T he fou rth qua rter of 2018, however, was a different story. Fewer building permits were issued in all regional districts, except in the Comox Valley, which saw no change from the prior quarter. The total building permits issued on the island for the fourth quarter dropped 16 per cent from the third quarter of 2018 to $481.2 million. Permits declined across all categories — commercial, industrial, institutional-government and residential — led by a 38 per cent decline in non-residential permits

and an eight per cent decline in residential permits. M ajor projects i n t he Capital Regional District include renovations to the high-profile office building at 2975 Jutland Road at Selkirk Waterfront, valued at $5.8M, a 56-unit condo building at 1588 North Dairy, valued at $13.75 million, and construction of a three-storey, 11-suite rental apartment for workforce housing at 2732 Doncaster Drive, valued at $1.1 million. In the City of Langford, VICA member Verity Construction led building permits issued for single family dwellings with suites but the most notable construction start in the fourth quarter was the six-storey, 78-unit ‘Orono at Jacklin’ apartment building valued at $7 million. In the City of Colwood, a foundation permit was issued for the City Centre Park Stadium Expansion; the contract was awarded to Verity. Major projects in the Nanaimo Regional District in the fourth quarter of 2018 include construction of a three-storey commercial building in the second phase of University Village, valued at $2.19 million, and construction of

a five-storey, multi-family development on Island Highway valued at $7.5 million. During the fourth quarter of 2018, total investment spending at $140.9 million was 11 per cent lower than it was during the fourth quarter of 2017; however, total spending on non-residential buildings was nine per cent higher in 2018 than it was the year prior. Investment spending on non-residential building construction in the Vitoria CMA increased 11 per cent in January to November over the same period last year. Non-residential building construction costs crept up five per cent during this period. “With the island’s economy expected to expand at a slower pace in 2019 and the housing market to slow in response to tighter mortgage credit conditions, construction activity will likely follow with dampened activity,” said Kulmala. “However, population growth is expected to remain elevated, which will help fuel the market for construction.” For 2019, the industry is optimistic that activity will continue, although at a slower pace. www.vicabc.ca

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MARCH 2019

PLAYING THE LONG GAME

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e’re ready to cut Google AdWords.” It was a bit of a shock to hear that from a client last week as we were exploring a new business development strategy. When pressed on what caused the change the client responded by saying that their organic lead generation sales conversions were higher than what they were receiving from their paid AdWords leads. In other words the long game, our client’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy, was doing what it’s supposed to. Get their business to the top of the front page of Google when prospective customers are searching for their services. Why does this matter?

1) Organic links on the first page of Google receive 90 per cent of web traffic for a specific search. 2) The first organic link receives 33 per cent of all traffic for a specific set of keywords. 3) The top 3 organic links receive 61 per cent of all online clicks for the search a user has typed in. Because SEO is a long-term strategy, businesses often get impatient when results don’t come in after the first few weeks. But the reality is that good SEO can’t be done overnight, it takes time. Most businesses start to see results in 3-4 months. In fact, over 80 per cent of our small business clients can reach the 1st page of Google after 6 months if the right conditions are met. Search engines like Google look at two things when evaluating your website and deciding where to rank it Relevance and Trust. Relevance is the content of a website and the code behind the scenes. If your code is optimized and the content on your site is relevant to a search, Google will move you up in the rankings. Trust refers to how many other sites on the internet are linking back to your site. If a

large number of high-quality sites are pointing to you, Google will start to trust you and move you up in the rankings. The good news for your business is that as long as you offer a viable product or service at a reasonable price, then SEO can move you r website h igher i n search rankings and drive more sales. To learn more about the steps your company can take to improve your search rankings, you can download our free SEO Roadmap at bedigitalmarketing.com/ seo or email BEDigital@ businessexaminer.ca to have it sent to you. To learn more about the steps your company can take to improve your search rankings, you can download our free SEO Roadmap at bedigitalmarketing.com/ seo or email BEDigital@ businessexaminer.ca to have it sent to you. John MacDonald is the Director of Business Development at the Business Examiner News Group. He can be reached at john@businessexaminer. ca or 866.758.2684, EXT. 130.

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WEST COAST

MARCH 2019

Major Funding Announced For Ucluelet First Nation

I TACU – O ver three years of nego t i a t i o n s h a v e resulted in Ucluelet First Nation receiv i ng much needed funding from the federa l a nd prov i nci a l governments. T he federa l T reasu r y Board of Canada recently announced that the Ucluelet First Nation Government will receive one-time funding of nearly $6 million over the next three years as an amendment to the existing Fiscal Financing Agreement, to correct funding deficiencies that have made it difficult for UFN to provide services to its citizens. The BC government announced its commitment to provide approximately $400,000 per year for 25 years – or $10 million – from provincial gaming revenues to support self-government, strong, healthy communities, and services that make life better for families. “Last week in Vancouver, we witnessed an impressive outcome of these deliberations when the Government of Canada signed an amendment to our 2018-2019 Fiscal Financing Agreement which will see our Nation receive nearly $1,500,000 of this f u nd i ng i m med iately,” says President Les Doiron. “We are no longer the lowest-funded First Nation in Canada, and we are on par with other Nations.” The remaining $4.5 million of this funding will flow to Ucluelet First Nation Government over the next two years and will enable research and data collection on the quality of life of their citizens

President Les Doiron and measure the gaps in wel l-b ei n g w it h ot her Canadians. Regarding the provincial gaming funding, President Doiron has known for quite some time that the funding was coming, but didn’t know the amount. “We wish to thank the Government of British Columbia for the call to action they have taken with the Maa-nulth Nations including the recent commitment to Government to Government meetings, Provincial Sales tax revenue sharing, its commitment to a fuller fiscal treaty relationship with Maa-nulth Nations, and now we can include R evenue Ga m i n g R evenue,” he says. “These funds will be invaluable to the development of Public Programs and services which our government desperately seeks to implement to support the quality of life of our citizens, the revival of language and culture and the safety of our community infrastructure.” “This agreement will also provide valuable funding to a sse ss a nd upg ra d e aging community infrastructure,” he adds, noting that the funding includes

resources for investment in community infrastructure. “I would like to thank our advisors and our staff who have participated rigorously in discussions with the Government of Canada and other treaty nations in arriving at an equitable allocation of these funds amongst Modern Treaty Governments,” President Doiron notes. “T hese f u nd s w i l l go a long way to resolve the ch ron ic u nder f u nd i n g we’ve ex perienced as a Treaty Government and we’re pleased the Federal government is listening to our concerns,” he adds. “In addition to a much needed injection to the health and quality of life of our citizens it is also an injection to the regional economy as well because we always st r ive to pu rch a se ou r goods and services within the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District and we’ll continue to do so. We have joined the ACRD, we have a representative on the board, and we are strong contributors to the local economies.”

will see the community’s primary recreation facility undergo a major overhaul. The SRD received a grant worth $4.6-million for this portion of the project. The funding covers work to install high efficiency air handlers, an energy recovery system, ice melting pits and a photo-voltaic solar system. Once complete, the project is projected to i nclude a new pool, fitness and wellness centre, along with improvements and

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MARCH 2019

SUNCRAFT CONSTRUCTION CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN THE COWICHAN VALLEY Local Home Builder Brings Unique Design-Focussed Approach to Residential Construction

U NCA N - T his year ma rks the 30th A n n iversary of Suncraft Construction. Founded by Curtis Stretch in 1989, the residential construction company began as a one-man operation. Over the decades, the company has helped create hundreds of new homes for Vancouver Islanders, as well as several commercial projects and renovations. St retch fou nded t he company shortly after completing his studies in Business Administration at Camosun College. Both his grandfather and great grandfather were carpenters, and Stretch began helping out on job sites when he was in elementary school. “I grew up with construction all around me,” he says. “I had worked with my father, who was a foreman on a large crew, then had a company of his own. My brother and I worked for him through his retirement and later years, and we both learned a lot directly from him.” Stretch’s family moved to the Cowichan Valley while he was in elementary school. In the following years, his father would build many homes in the region before retiring in the late 1980s. Stretch’s mother was also a top real estate agent in the 1970’s & early 80’s. While his father has passed on, his mother continues to provide him with sage advice regarding client care & marketing. “I went to Camosun College after high school and studied business administration,” Stretch continues. “I spent some time learning about law, economics, accounting, and the basics of running a business. As a general contractor, that knowledge has proved to be very useful, perhaps even more so than my carpenter’s ticket.”

Suncraft owner Curtis Stretch (holding plans) and some of the diligent and conscientious contractors, tradespeople and professionals that are integral to the creation of all of Suncraft’s fine homes Stretch started his business in 1989, taking on whatever jobs he could find. “What seemed to be in demand at the time was skylight installations and similar jobs,” he says. “That’s where I came up with the name Suncraft. We were working with skylights and sunrooms; a lot of window work & renovations in the early years.” The business quickly evolved into a framing company, then into full-on residential construction. By 1990, Suncraft had completed its first home. “We just followed the demand,” says Stretch. “I was always looking for work, and never said no to a job. In the beginning it was just a one-man show, and I was doing everything I could to generate business, making contacts and building a reputation. “It wasn’t long until I needed to hire someone to help with the workload, and by the early 90s, I SEE SUNCRAFT CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 31

CONGRATULATIONS to Curtis Stretch and Suncraft Construction on your 30th Anniversary!

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MARCH 2019

“In many situations, contractors are not involved in the design process, and I think that’s a lost opportunity. When we work on a project, we usually want to be involved from the very beginning. We make a lot of adjustments and preliminary work, and that’s when we like to take our time and get it right. When it’s time to build, we are organized, and move forward without The Dogwood six-unit condominium was built on a single family building lot, complete with off-street parking and an environmentally friendly stormwater rain garden. This building won the annual City of Duncan Design Award

delay.” CURTIS STRETCH OWNER AND FOUNDER OF SUNCRAFT

SUNCRAFT CONSTRUCTION

CONSTRUCTION

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

had my first framing crew working. We worked our way through a slow building economy, and when things became busy again, we were in a good position to capitalize.” Over the decades, Stretch has done most of his work in the Cowichan Valley and surrounding area, building homes in Duncan, Lake Cowichan, Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill, Crofton, but mostly in North Cowichan. Though the company used to field its own framing, finishing, and painting crews, it has gradually moved into more of a project manager and developer role. “To respond to market demand, it works better for us to have a group of loyal, trusted contractors we can call on,” says Stretch. “I have great relationships with quality contractors and suppliers,

A new custom home that began construction on March 15

SEE SUNCRAFT CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 32

Congrats to Suncraft Construction for 30 years! - Suzanne, Michelle & the staff at End Of The Roll Congratulations to Curtis and the team at Suncraft Construction (250) 743-4111 |

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MARCH 2019

Arbutus Grove townhomes are nearing completion near Maple Bay, with three families moving in at the end of March and three more at the end of May

SUNCRAFT CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

which is integral to maintaining quality control and keeping costs in line. “R ather tha n focussi ng on

Congratulations! To Curtis and the team at Suncraft Construction

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keepi ng steady work for the people on the payroll, we’ve found that it’s easier to maintain great relationships with these local subcontractors. If I need to build a 16-unit townhouse project as well as a couple of custom homes, I work with a number of framing crews and am able to deliver. Since I have relationships with multiple companies in each trade, I can match the right specialist to the right job. One plumber might specialize in multi-family while another might be better for custom homes.” To this day, Stretch doesn’t like to say “no” to an opportunity. With his thorough knowledge of the Cowichan Valley construction community, he has built relationships with many quality subcontractors that allow him to keep up with the demand. After three decades of working almost exclusively in the

Cowichan Valley region, Suncraft has left its own unique footprint on the construction community. Having built hundreds of homes, the company has repeat clients who work well with the Suncraft method and value system. “When we work with a client, we put a lot of effort into getting on the same page,” Stretch remarks. “We have a certain process where we do a lot of preliminary work and design.” Stretch is heavily involved in the design portion of a project. With so many decades of experience, he can anticipate many potential problems and solutions, giving clients a good idea of what they can expect with their home. “We work very closely with Square 1 Design, who produce most of our building plans,” he says. “In many situations, contractors are not involved in the design process, and I think that’s

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a lost opportunity. When we work on a project, we usually want to be involved from the very beginning. “We make a lot of adjustments and preliminary work, and that’s when we like to take our time and get it right. When it’s time to build, we are organized, and move forward without delay.” When building custom homes, Stretch spends time with each new client, letting them know about his unique process. “We generally meet once a month,” he says. “We take our time and make calm decisions. Once the meeting’s over, we move forward without delay. “When I was young, my father would work on organizing his projects at night, so during the day, they went quickly and efficiently. I’ve developed a rhythm with the jobs I take on. I’d rather SEE SUNCRAFT CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 33

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Fresh designs in one of Suncraft’s newly completed single family homes. The owners will soon be moving in

SUNCRAFT CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32

plan on the drawing board, then execute. We make minor changes and decisions along the way, but the bulk of the process is decided early on. Costly and inefficient last-minute changes and adjustments are avoided.” While a speedy, efficient building process is one of the hallmarks of Suncraft’s brand, the company maintains a clear set of priorities on each build. “The one thing we can guarantee is that we won’t skimp on quality,” says Stretch. “If there’s a choice between meeting a deadline and quality, we choose quality every time. Our clients are aware of that and comfortable with that. We also honor our budget price, and make sure that the client is happy with the cost of the project.” Suncraft has been behind many unique projects over the years, and Stretch is always interested in meeting unique challenges. “One project that stands out is a condo we built on a lot in Duncan about 10 years ago,” he says. “It was a single-family lot, and a small rancher had burned down. We cleared the property, and with

the cooperation of the city, designed and built a six-unit condo. It was a beautiful building and the people who live there love it. It received a design award from the City of Duncan the following year. “The project was a challenge, and included some eco-friendly features, including a rain garden. There was a beautiful dogwood tree on the property and we managed to keep that, which is a challenge when you have parking spaces and building access to think about. We managed to squeeze a lot on that one little lot, and we’re very proud of that.” Last month, Suncraft subdivided a small lot that had only enough room for a well-designed three-bedroom micro-home. Due to the small size of the home and the lot, they are able to sell it at an affordable price. “A family could move in, but it’s the price of a smaller multifamily unit,” says Stretch. “Even though it’s affordable, the quality is the same as our million-dollar homes. We really enjoy creating value like that in a market where it’s missing. It’s the least expensive new home in the valley, and to me, that’s exciting.” The team recently completed a lakefront home, and thanks to

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some help from Square 1 Design, were able to allow for access to an eco-friendly boardwalk and dock in concert with strict environmental regulations. They wanted as much glass as possible on the side of the home facing the water, which would interfere with its structural integrity. Suncraft and the engineering team decided to use a steel moment frame (typically used on commercial projects), creating an earthquake-strong home with a fantastic view.

“We are enjoying more custom home builds these days,” says Stretch. “I stayed away from them for a number of years as I wanted to focus more on the construction side of things than the client interaction. “Now that I’m getting some grey hair on my beard, I’m starting to enjoy interaction with clients. Our meetings go very well, and I like it.” Stretch plans to continue building multi-family projects, as they have been building townhomes and condos steadily for the last 15 years. They are in the midst of completing the Arbutus Grove townhome project, which includes 16 high-quality units set on a unique topography overlooking Quamichan Lake. The company has also expanded into developing land. “We will sometimes take a raw piece of property or acreage and work closely with engineers and designers to make roads, building

lots, trails and amenities that are as useful and architecturally pleasing as possible,” says Stretch. “We want to squeeze every drop out of this property we can, and we always look for the best design possible. Sometimes this design comes at the cost of profit for us. We often forego maximizing density to achieve a more appealing design, as we are interested in creating a balance of quality and long-term value for our clients.” Mov i ng for wa rd, Su ncra f t is lea n i ng i nto eco-friend ly building methods. Increasingly, clients are asking for features like Xeriscape, rain gardens and electric car chargers, and St retch works to g row w it h those trends. Between custom homes, land development, and multi-family projects, Suncraft Construction plans to stay busy in the Cowichan Valley for decades to come. www.suncraft.ca

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MARCH 2019

April 2 Launch For MacKay CEO Forums Peer Group Business Examiner President To Lead Peer Groups To Serve As ‘Unofficial Board Of Directors’

A NA I MO – B u si ness leaders throughout the Centra l Isla nd have signed up to participate in the launch of the first MacKay CEO Forum April 2 at the Coast Bastion Hotel. MacK ay CEO For u ms have been operating in Victoria for years, and central Vancouver Island is the next target, and will be chaired by Business Examiner President Mark MacDonald. It kicks off with an April 2 Breakfast event and Time Mastery Seminar featuring founder Nancy MacKay, followed by the inaugural Forum meeting. MacKay CEO Forums feature a maximum of 14 non-competitive business leaders that meet seven times a year on a strictly confidential basis to discuss important company issues and benefit from experience-based solutions shared by peers. They receive input from renowned speakers and attend an annual retreat with other members. “I have been involved in two peer-based executive groups in the past, and they’ve been immensely helpful in assisting me in making key decisions for our business,” says MacDonald. “It’s like having a trusted, unofficial ‘board of directors’ for small

Mark MacDonald business, and working closely and confidentially with other successful business operators. “MacKay CEO Forums focus on ‘shared experiences’ when problems are discussed and possible solutions sought, as opposed to advice. The input, therefore, is f i rst-h a nd solut ions t h at have already worked for other members. “T he MacKay CEO Forums take it a step further by providing key strategic advice and tools.” MacKay started the organization in 2005 to get business leaders that understand what other

business leaders go through, to help solve problems and grow profitably together. MacKay put actions to her vision to populate the world with better leaders after seeing first hand the tremendous value of having CEOs come together to learn from each other, and to help each other deal with their toughest issues and challenges. “The work only gets tougher when you reach the top. The time demands on CEOs are harsh and the job is often isolating. The pace, complexity and constant challenges are a heavy weight to carry,” MacKay says. MacDonald sees this as the next step following publishing his book “It Worked For Them, It Will Work For Me: The Secrets of Small Business I Learned From Successful Friends” in the fall. “The book uses real-life examples of local business people about the essentials of running a successful company,” he notes. “From the hundreds of interviews conducted over the years, plus our own experiences in business, I look at that as unofficial ‘training’ for a Forum like this. Sharing those principles with a group of CEOs is a challenge that I am excited about, and welcome with open arms.”

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MacDonald was introduced to MacKay CEO Forums by longtime friend Ken MacLeod and liked what he saw. MacKay CEO Forums helps members to: • Help master their time. • Connect with other successful CEOs. • Get agenda-free, confidential feedback from peers. • Put top minds to work on the most pressing issues. • Leverage best practices and experience to accomplish objectives faster. • Be inspired, motivated and held accountable by peers and the Forum Chair. • G et access to t he best “trusted advisors” for CEOs through the Forum Chair. Stuart Suls, President and CEO of Mr. Lube, says “The diversity of the group, quality of experience exchange, speaker punch, professional orchestration and confidentiality all work together beautifully.” Adds George Melville, former Chairman and owner, Boston Pizza International Inc.: “Nowhere else can I get such honest, direct, agenda-free input.” MacKay is the keynote speaker for the April 2 breakfast event, and will share on how to maximize time usage with her Time Mastery seminar. MacKay is a CEO coach, keynote speaker, and published author. Nancy focuses on strategy and culture, is the driving force behind the firm’s strategic partnerships and is a strong advocate of recognizing CEO talent in Canada through the BC CEO

Awards and the Most Admired CEO Awards. She is a National judge for the Deloitte Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program and is a Vice-Chair on the Board of Governors of the Waterstone Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures Program. MacKay got her start as a university professor teaching in the business faculty of several universities, including Simon Fraser University. MacKay lives in North Vancouver, and co-authored “The Talent Advantage” by Wiley Publishing and she is the host of T h e C E O E D G E p o d c a s t series theceoedge.ca – 10min20min interviews with CEOs and CEO Advisors on the topic of Exponential Change. “Our forums enable exceptional leaders to surround themselves with successful peers who help them to become inspiring CEOs, accelerate their business results and achieve their life goals,” she says. “Our Forum Chairs are all highly skilled and trusted advisors, expert facilitators and experienced business leaders who share a passion for helping CEOs and their companies accelerate performance. “ Nat ion a l pa r t ners i nclude Deloitte, RBC and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). For more information on the April 2 Time Mastery Breakfast and about the MacKay CEO Forum, contact Mark MacDonald at 1-250-713-2684 or email: mark.macdonald@mackayceoforums.com

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COMOX VALLEY

MARCH 2019

Courtenay Sewing Studio Expanding, Moving To Larger Space Comox Valley Record The Spool is on the move. Nicole Bertram’s business is growing, and, much like the clothes some of her clients make, she’s grown out of her current digs. The Spool Sewing Studio is in the process of moving to #4, 420 Fitzgerald – to accommodate the growth she has experienced in her first four years of business. The Spool started as an in-home business, with three machines. Three years ago, Bertram upgraded to a small second-floor space on the 300 block of Sixth Street, and doubled the machines. When the doors open at 420 Fitzgerald, she will have 10 machines. “It’s great,” said Bertram. “I worked really, really hard in this space for about three years, and I got to the point where it’s just too small for how many people I have now. The next step of growth has come very organically. “In the new space, I will actually be able to run two classes at the same time, because there are two separate rooms.” The “next step” officially happens March 30, with the grand opening of her new studio, which sits right between Broken Spokes

Nicole Bertram of The Spool Sewing Studio PHOTO CREDIT: COMOX VALLEY RECORD

and Podlings. “The big opening will be March 30 at noon… it may go well into the evening, I don’t know… and then classes start the following Monday, April 1,” said Bertram. The Spool Sewing Studio offers classes for those interested in learning the craft, as well as space for those looking to make their own clothes. “People come for courses, but they also come for drop-in. You can just come and rent time on a

machine,” said Bertram. “It’s just a really nice community space for making things.” There is a retail aspect to the studio as well, where Bertram sells high-end fabrics and independently designed patterns. Bertram likens the popularity of clothing creation to the “slow food movement” that is gaining popularity. “There’s now this ‘slow fashion’ movement, where people are thinking more about where

CHAMBER FOCUSES ON ADVOCACY

COMOX VALLEY CHAMBER DIANNE HAWKINS

here’s much to focus on these days in terms of advocacy - from the recent budget announcements, to grease traps, liquid waste management to our federal tax system. The Comox Valley Chamber engages with our provincial and federal counterparts on provincial and federal issues, and personally responds to advocacy issues on behalf of business in our municipal areas. First off, the Chamber would like to recognize the CVRD for their extension of grease trap collection until the end of 2019. The CVRD staff are taking a pro-active stance on this issue and working closing with the Chamber, restaurants and hauling companies to find a solution for managing grease trap waste in the landfill. As well, progress is being made regarding the Comox Valley Sewer Service Liquid Waste Management Plan otherwise known as the “Get Your Poop in a Group” project. The Comox Valley Chamber has a seat

on this advisory committee, and we will continue to be part of the process. Provincially – the budget was recently released, and we applaud the government’s focus on affordable housing, an enhanced BC Child Opportunity Benefit and apprenticeship programs which benefit employers and apprentices. On another note, businesses in the province are concerned with the EHT, increased wages and climbing corporate tax rates. To quote BC Chamber CEO Val Litwin, “These costs are weighing down the backbone of BC’s economy and we aren’t seeing anything that will materially help BC’s SMEs in the years ahead….” Federally – the Canadian Chamber is calling for a modernization of our tax system. In the Canadian Chambers publication “50 years of Cutting and Pasting – Modernizing Canada’s tax system.” It states the following: “The last time Canada undertook a comprehensive review of its tax system, humankind had yet to set foot on the moon. In the five decades since, repeated cutting and pasting has left Canadian taxation uncompetitive, cumbersome and inefficient.” Our Chamber is concerned. Businesses across the country are concerned as well as Canada is falling behind the rest of the World. The UK, France, New Zealand, and the US are reducing their corporate tax rates. Administration costs are high to run our current tax system. For

example, it is 41 per cent higher than the World time burden! 131 hours are spent in Canada compared to 63 hours in Switzerland. Businesses and the Canadian Chamber believe the tax code is far too complicated, especially for small business. Canadian Chamber has proposed the following solutions: broaden the tax base to explore the most effective tax policy solutions; and tax digital services (people/ companies) such as NetFlix; and simplify the tax filing experience. Much has changed since the Carter Royal Commission created the basis of our tax system. New technologies, global supply chains and international competition have disrupted entire industries. Governments worldwide are competing to harness innovation by trying to understand how new developments, like artificial intelligence and the sharing economy, will reshape our lives and how we work, including how we tax. Your local Chamber cares about the barriers you as business owners face doing business. We want to know what business issues are keeping you up at night? Contact the Chamber, we care - our business is advocacy. Dianne Hawkins is CEO of the the Comox Valley Chamber: Building Good Business since 1919. For more information on the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, visit: www.comoxvalleychamber.com or call 250-334-3234.

clothes are made, what are the a space specifically for men is textiles made out of… people great. But we are open to anyare not only looking for ‘made in body. All genders, and we have Canada’ garments, but they are kids as young as six and adults as also looking to learn the skill.” old as 80. There are no barriers. The flagship course at The Spool We have no target demographic. is called “Foundations” which runs In addition to sewing, there are monthly. Foundations is a basic also knitting, quilting and neestarter’s course for people to learn dle-felting workshops available. the basics in a small-class setting. “The new space will even have “ W e r e a l l y g o o v e r t h e room for dye workshops, and we trouble-shooting of the machine, are talking about bringing in a the nitty-gritty of how the ma- shoemaker to do shoemaking chine works, so you can take that workshops,” said Bertram. “So information home and feel more the new space is really going to confident on your own machine,” allow me to expand.” said Bertram. “In that class, you Bertram said this next step is also finish a different project all part of her original strategic every week. So every week you planning for her business. have this finished object you can “I had this sort of hypothesis feel really proud of.” when I began, of creating a place The Spool runs children’s/stu- where people could use their dent classes after school, and hands, and sew, and drink tea, evening/weekend adult classes. and be together with a common “We will also be opening up interest … to form its own commore daytime classes, for parents munity. And I’ve seen that hapwhose kids are in school and have pen over the last three years. I’ve a little time during the day, or for seen friendships for, I’ve seen retirees,” said Bertram. businesses start from classes There is also a class designed they’ve taken, and have just felt Words and Images are what Communication specifically for men, called “Bros this warm embrace from people Ink Social Media & Public is all It’s pretty who sew”. of Relations the Comox Valley. “We know-itgetting can be intimidating amazing.” about your message out to the to go into a space that’s perceived information, go to masses clearly, concisely For andmore powerfully. to be a female space, so creating thespoolsewingstudio.com

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OFF THE COVER

MARCH 2019

New Port Of Nanaimo Project Starting In April, Creating Close To 100 Jobs VEHICLE PROCESSING CENTRE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“As the first auto carrier enters the Port of Nanaimo, we recognize that this is a historic event for our community,” says Marr. “This was a test of our protocols that will maintain the highest levels of safety for workers and the public.” Once fully operational, the Vehicle Processing Centre will be able to handle between 10,000 and 12,000 vehicles per year, expanding to a possible 40,000 each year by as early as 2024. The VPC test run wasn’t the on ly big news at the Port of

Nanaimo, as Harbour Master Rodney Grounds a n nou nced that a two-day salvage operation by Global Diving and Salvage resulted in the raising of the Samantha J tugboat that sank in Northumberland Channel in October, 2014 while towing a wood chip barge. Grounds said the salvage crew started their operation February 26, and using divers and remotely operated underwater equipment, the actual raising took two hours. When it first sank, the Samantha J leaked some fuel. After the tug was re-floated, the Coast Gu a rd con f i r med t he

tugboat had no hydrocarbons on board and it was returned to its owners. The tug was deemed to be an operational hazard and rendered the Nanaimo Anchorage 1 site unusable. Once removed, Grounds said they were able to anchor a 225-metre vessel at the site just days later. Last November, the Port received a letter of commendation from the British Columbia Coast Pilots Ltd. for its work guiding deep-sea vessels through busy, narrow local waterways in late October. That same month, the Port announced design plans have been

completed for the new downtown boat basin marina that will increase available moorage by 50 per cent, using the same footprint. Chief Operating Officer Mike Davidson says the Port of Nanaimo has initiated extensive publ ic consu ltation rega rding the Marina, making good on its promise in 2018 to hear from citizens and stakeholders who wanted to have input in the planning process, which provided insightful thought and ideas to the process. “We have good, strong leadership as Ian and Mike have deep roots in the community, and our

Board is very strong,” says Corfield. “We are excited about what the future holds, and the citizens of Nanaimo should be as well.”

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WHO IS SUING WHOM

MARCH 2019

WHO IS SUING WHOM The contents of Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Suing Whom is provided by a third-party resource and is accurate according to public court documents. Some of these cases may have been resolved by publication date. DEFENDANT 475816 BC Ltd 1200-1075 West Georgia St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Olsen, Gordon CLAIM $15,861 DEFENDANT Blue Water Systems Ltd 212-7313 120th St, Delta, BC PLAINTIFF EQ Tec Engineering Ltd CLAIM $65,031 DEFENDANT Bronte Heights Developments Ltd

CLAIM $8,857

CLAIM $13,702

DEFENDANT Community Marine Concepts Ltd 260-1177 West Broadway, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF EQ TEC Engineering Ltd CLAIM $102,505

DEFENDANT Kelly Excavating 1479 Morrison Rd, Courtenay, BC PLAINTIFF Olsen, Gordon CLAIM $15,861

DEFENDANT Crane Canada Co 2400-745 Thurlow St, Vancouver, BC Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company CLAIM $35,216 DEFENDANT Departures Travel 1883 Oak Bay Ave, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF DBLH Properties Ltd CLAIM $35,500

1626 Garnet Rd, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Peoples Trust Company CLAIM $1,891,062

DEFENDANT Duncan Street Auto Ltd 921 H Canada Ave, Duncan, BC PLAINTIFF Young, Randall Alan CLAIM $13,136

DEFENDANT Coast Pacific Property Services Ltd 301-576 England Ave, Courtenay, BC PLAINTIFF Sanderson, Sara

DEFENDANT Flight Centre 2300-550 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Wolfe, Jeffrey Mark

DEFENDANT Kootenay Shelter Construction Ltd 2973 Southey Point Rd, Salt Spring Island, BC PLAINTIFF Outerbridge, Graham Alan CLAIM $15,516 DEFENDANT Niche Travel 1889 Oak Bay, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF DBLH Properties Ltd CLAIM $35,500

$598,601

$6,236

DEFENDANT PI Financial Corp 1200-200 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Slaughter, Robert Allan CLAIM $1,566,028

DEFENDANT Titan Bay Management Ltd 204-655 Tyee Rd, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Gilbert, Sylvie CLAIM $6,236

DEFENDANT PI Financial Services Corp 1200-200 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Slaughter, Robert Allan CLAIM $1,566,028

DEFENDANT Treeworks Tree Services Ltd 454 Maquinna Pl, Qualicum Beach, BC PLAINTIFF 346520 BC Ltd CLAIM $8,492

DEFENDANT Resolution Construction Systems 14-555 Ravenwoods Dr, North Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Lindblad, Erik CLAIM $9,332

DEFENDANT Okanagan Teardrop Trailers 5435 Hwy 97, Falkland, BC PLAINTIFF Renaas, Alan CLAIM $6,236

DEFENDANT Samsung Electronics Canada Inc 20th Flr 250 Howe St, North Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Verronneau, Kathryn CLAIM $16,142

DEFENDANT Pan American Silver Corporation 1500-625 Howe St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Avellaneda, Luis Emilio Villanueva CLAIM

DEFENDANT Teardrop Trailers Canada 5435 Hwy 97, Falkland, BC PLAINTIFF Renaas, Alan CLAIM

DEFENDANT Trident Exteriors 1500-13450 102nd Ave, Surrey, BC PLAINTIFF Green Castle Construction Ltd CLAIM $112,683 DEFENDANT Richlock Rentals Ltd 3342 Oak St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Frank Ryan Contracting Ltd CLAIM $19,191 DEFENDANT Wilk Stove Ltd 160 Burnside Rd East, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Taylor, Cindy CLAIM $8,916

SALES

MARCH 2019

THREE REASONS TO SET AND FOLLOW A BEHAVIORAL PLAN Here are three reasons why it’s We are mathematically closer to our own data, what specific daily SALES important to closely analyze our bringing about the outcome we and weekly activities will need to JOHN GLENNON

hat is the ideal mix of daily and weekly activities – the mix that best supports our income goals? We should know. If we have a personalized daily “recipe” for daily and weekly progress toward key activity benchmarks, also known as cookbook or a behavioral plan, we can identify exactly how many dials we need to make, how many conversations we need to have, how many referrals we need to ask for, and so on… every single working day.

own performance history, set up such a behavioral plan, follow it, and track its results over time. 1. A behavioral plan gives us a victory to celebrate every day. If we only keep score when we sell something, the next could be months down the road, depending on our sales cycle. That’s a long time to wait for a win. Sometimes we will compensate for this by celebrating a presentation that “went well” – but all too often that turns out to be a false positive. On the other hand, if we complete our behavioral plan for the day, that’s a victory, regardless of whether a deal happened to close that day or not.

want. That’s a win! 2. A behavioral plan keeps us on track. We’re making steady, incremental progress each day. We’re not stressing ourselves out and reducing our effectiveness by bunching all the business development activities into the last few days of the month. 3. A behavioral plan gives us a tool we can use to course-correct if we need to. If our behaviors are not producing the outcomes that we want, we’re going to pick up on that when we track our own numbers. We can then make adjustments in a very specific way. We can decide for ourselves, based on

change, and by how much, to deliver the results we want. That’s a lot more meaningful than simply telling ourselves “I need to close more deals.” You may have heard the old saying, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” It’s widely attributed to Peter Drucker, but it appears to go back to well before his time. Whoever came up with it, the idea worth considering closely. If we don’t measure the activities that generate income for us, the leading indicators of success, we can’t effectively manage them. Too many salespeople make the mistake of measuring only the outcome of their

behaviors, the lagging indicator: the closed sale. As a result, they miss out on the opportunity to measure, and manage, all the steps that take place before that sale closes. The personalized behavioral plan, or cookbook, is the answer to that problem. Copyright 2018 Sandler Training and Insight Sales Consulting Inc. All rights reserved.John Glennon is the owner of Insight Sales Consulting Inc, the authorized Sandler Training Licensee for the Interior of British Columbia. He can be reached at jglennon@sandler.com, toll free at 1-866-645-2047 or visit www. glennon.sandler.com

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

MARCH 2019

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NORTH ISLAND The Port Hardy Chamber of Commerce moved to a temporary location in Unit 8 of the North Island Mall on Trustee Road while their space at 7250 Market Street undergoes repairs. The Market Street location was damaged by a failed hot water tank that caused flooding in the space. The temporary location is open from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Port Hardy Dental Centre celebrated its grand opening on February 9th in the North Island Mall at 9250 Trustee Road.

CAMPBELL RIVER Grieg Seafood BC’s employee wellness initiatives were recognized at the recent BC Agri-Food Industry Gala in Abbotsford. Representatives from the company were presented with the Scotiabank Champion of Agriculture Award for Employee Health and Wellness alongside BC’s Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham. The award is presented annually to an organization or individual leading the way in employee health and wellness while making a difference in their community.

Bill Howich Chrysler RV & Marine announces its top sales people and a few staff additions. Brant Peniuk is the top salesperson for Bill Howich Chrysler while Justin Lynn and Norm Potaski are the top performers at Bill Howich RV & Marine. Bill Howich Chrysler appointed Al Wall as sales manager and Jerry Gunn as a sales associate. The Chrysler dealership is at 2777 North Island Highway while Bill Howich RV & Marine is at 1632 Coulter Road. The Campbell River Quinsam CBI Health Centre welcomes back Tanya Kessling from maternity leave. Tanya is a physiotherapist with over 15 years of experience and is returning 3 days a week at 1371 Greenwood Street. Tyee Chevrolet Buick GMC welcomes James Adshade to its sales team at 570 – 13th Avenue. Brown’s Bay Packing located just north of Campbell River received one of two 2018 Great Partnership awards from Cermaq

in recognition of outstanding service and a strong working relationship. Alberni Island Shuttle was the other recipient of the award.

COMOX VALLEY Finders Keep Hers Boutique has reopened for business in Courtenay at 314 5 th Street following renovations that closed the shop at the beginning of February. The new shop hopes to bring a one of a kind high fashion experience to the Island.

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The Comox Valley Transition Society will be reopening Too Good To Be Threw at 239 Puntledge Road. Riverside Senior Living is now open at 1590 Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay. Justin White has opened Your Repair Depot, an electronics repair business, in Courtenay at SEE MOVER’S AND SHAKERS | PAGE 40

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212-3030 Kilpatrick Avenue. White is a former owner of the Play N Trade Video Games Franchise and has over 10 years of experience in the electronics repair industry. Two Eagles Lodge B & B in Union Bay was named one of two finalists for the 2019 Family Business Association’s Family Business Excellence (FBE) Award. The awards are given annually by the FBA to celebrate and promote achievements of Vancouver Island family businesses.

“Chemistry made a demanding and challenging recruitment process so very easy.”

The Golden Dragon has added new buffet menus to their lineup and has taken new management as well as a new team in the kitchen. The restaurant is at 5023 Johnston Road.

Comox Valley RV welcomes Kevin Kozlowski to its team as a sales professional at 1608A Ryan Road East in Comox.

Coulson Ice Blast was the recipient of the Best Innovation Award at the Small Business BC Awards. The company has been in business since 2016 and uses a unique wet and dry ice blasting technique for cleaning industrial and commercial equipment. The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce is holding its 2019 Community Excellence Awards Gala on April 26. The chamber will announce their award winners in 12 different categories at the event.

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S te a m p u n k C a fé a n d Coffee House finished the renovation of its conference room and is now prepared to rent out the space from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The room can accommodate up to eight people and food service is available from the café.

Courtenay Appliances has opened a newly expanded showroom at 416A Puntledge Road in Courtenay.

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First Glass Ltd. celebrates its 20th anniversary at 5501 Strick Road.

Buy-Low Foods added new display cases in the deli as well as refrigerated dairy and meat sections. The local grocery also added space to the location at 4647 Johnston Road.

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Centre changed its name to West Coast Family Dental effective March 1 and refreshed the company logo. The clinic is at 101 – 4115 6th Avenue.

Brian McLean Chevrolet GMC Buick announces that Malinda Mazzocchi is the dealership’s top salesperson of the month at 2 1 45 C l i f fe Av e n u e i n Courtenay.

PORT ALBERNI

No allenge is too great.

MARCH 2019

Re/Max Mid-Island Realty welcomes Andrea Knoll to its team at 4201 Johnston Road. Alberni Valley Dental

The 38-room hotel formerly known as Jamie’s Rainforest Inn is now Hotel Zed Tofino. Plans to rebrand the Inn were announced last summer. Dennis Morgan is preparing to open Ucluelet Brewing Company, Ucluelet’s first microbrewery this summer. The new brewery will open on the site of the former St. Aidan’s on the Hill Church.

Ha i rd resser Moriah Chase has opened Mossy Maple Hair Studio at 4311 10th Avenue.

Ucluelet Co-op was recently nominated by the Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) of Western Canada for a sustainability award. This is the first award that Ucluelet Co-op has been nominated for by the FCL.

Bill and Sandy Scott acquired D’sign Guy from Gary Ruissen, who has owned the business for the past 14 years. T hey have renamed the store D’sign Guy & Gal and have moved the shop to 4348 10th Avenue.

On the Edge Roofing and Contracting was nominated for three Small Business BC Awards. The company, owned by Shaun Mills, was nominated in the Best Employer, Best Company and Best Community Impact categories.

Port Alberni City Council approved Dog Mountain Brewing to operate at the for mer Valley Wines & Water location on Third Avenue. Council voted to endorse a liquor license application and approve a development permit for the proposed microbrewery. Owners are proposing to renovate the building in order to brew craft beer for sale on-site and operate a tasting lounge. They have also proposed building a rooftop patio which would require the building to be renovated.

Luke Erridge, a fou rth-generation d istiller and owner of Pacific Rim Distilling, has earned two medals for his spirits. T he distilleries Humpback Vodka earned a silver while the Lighthouse Gin took bronze in Artisan Distillers Canada’s 2019 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition. This is the first competition Erridge has entered after opening his distillery in Ucluelet last year.

Karen Vandermolen welcomes new and old clients to her new barber shop at 2851 Brandon Avenue.

Andrea Knoll

Beach Resort. The new shop was founded as a co-operative venture by Ronnie Lee and seven business partners. Ronnie and the executive chef for the restaurant are former understudies to Wolf and the Fog’s chef Nicholas Nutting. Renovations on a piano bar and sandwich shop are also underway on the Mackenzie Beach Resort. The new venture, The General Store, Provisions & Libations, is expected to open later this spring.

TOFINOUCLUELET Lil’ Ronnie’s Beachside BBQ is open for business in the old lobby at Mackenzie

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations (TFN) celebrated the opening of a unique housing complex recently. The complex, built by Coast Mountain Construction, saw 16 studio suites and five family homes constructed by converting shipping containers. The housi ng complex w i l l be operated by the Economic Development dep a r t m e nt w it h i n T F N SEE MOVER’S AND SHAKERS | PAGE 41

Tofino council unanimously supported a draft bylaw that would prohibit all businesses from selling or providing plastic bags or single-use straws and set a minimum retail price of 25 cents for paper bags and $2 for reusable bags. Council is now consulting with businesses in the area to assess impact of the potential ban and enforcement of the ban could begin as early as 2020.

PARKSVILLEQUALICUM The Parksville & District Chamber of Com merce held their annual Business Achievement Awards gala at the Parksville Centre and announced this year’s winners. This year’s category award winners were Chris Grundmann of Island Automotive in the Service Excellence category; Ground Z e ro A c o u s t i c L o u n ge in Small Business of the Year; and Harris Oceanside Chevrolet, Buick, GMC in Large Business of the Year. Weather-Wise Cedar Products was named the Outstanding Workplace Employer of the Year, Hollie Quiring of RBC Royal Bank was awarded Young Professional of the Year and Parksville Beach Festival Society was honoured as the Not-for-Profit of the Year. Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort and Conference Centre was presented with the Community Spirit Award. Shelly Heppner is preparing to open Bespoke Spirits House - a new distillery and tasting room in Parksville at 425 East Stanford Avenue near Mount Arrowsmith Brewing Company. Heppner has a background in corporate retail and has spent the last four years researching the distilling process and working at two different distilleries. She is the first female distiller on Vancouver Island and the second in the province.

Amy and Pam Hadikins have taken over the Kickstart Fitness at 1530 Springhill Road in Parksville. Kevin and Nicole Luterbach of Iritex Pumps and Irrigation have moved the business to a large new facility at 976 Price Road. They also have a second location in Courtenay.

Ron Hickey P recision Wea lth Management welcomes Ron Hickey to its team as the newest wealth advisor for the firm at 147 Harrison Avenue in Parksville. Family Ford has named Darrel Cutforth the dealerships Q1 MVP. Darrel is a member of the lot team for the dealership at 410 East Island Highway in Parksville. Vancouver Island Regional Library reopened the Parksville branch library fol low i n g renovat ion s that closed the library on January 1. T he renovations included adding new paint, flooring, circulation desk and an internal book drop, as well as replacing furniture and upgrading computers. The Parksville branch is at 100 Jensen Avenue East.

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A company called Wildpods has constructed six geodesic homes as shortterm vacation rentals on the shores of Tofino’s village center. Peak season rates for the domes range from $295 to $375 per night with a two-night minimum stay, while winter rates start at $150.

administration.

T h e Q u a l icu m B e a ch Chamber of Commerce held their annual Community Awards at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre and announced this year’s winners. This year Bailey’s in the Village was named Business of the Year, Ron Jarrett was the Volunteer of the Year, Travis Ramstad of Dolly’s Home Hardware received the Excellent Customer Service Award, Black Bird Schnitzel Haus was named New Business of the Year, Brian Wiese took home the Newsmaker of the Year Award, Pat Jacobson was named Citizen of the Year and Maggie Bugg of Crossfit was the Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 40

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

MARCH 2019

Deborah Saucier of Vancouver Island University. Saucier has been president at MacEwan University in Edmonton since 2017. She is from Saskatoon and is an accomplished neuroscientist, educator and university administrator who completed underg radu ate a nd m a ster’s studies at the University of Victoria. Tilray Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire Hemp Hearts-maker Manitoba Harvest for up to $419-million in cash and stock as the two companies aim to launch CBD-infused food and wellness products. The acquisition adds natural food products to Tilray’s portfolio and allows Manitoba Harvest to tap into the Nanaimo-based company’s expertise in working with cannabinoids. Upon completion of the transaction, Tilray will pay $150-million in cash and $127.5-million in stock.

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Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty announces the addition of Lindsay Bryla, Cara Klein and Brittany Angus to their Royal Service Group at 4200 Island Highway. Westcoast Solid Wood Furniture celebrated the g ra nd open i ng of thei r new store recently at #107 – 6461 Metral Drive. As part of the grand opening celebration the company is holding a month-long sales event beginning March 9th.

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H&R Block is now open for business near the Subway entrance at Nanaimo North Town Centre. N a n a i m o Toyo t a a nnounces Kirsten Michieli is their top salesperson of the month for the dealership at 2555 Bowen Road. Derek Kennedy was named top salesperson for Harris Nanaimo at 2575 Bowen Road. Alpha Gold & Silver is now open for business at 1708-32 Townsite Road, right next door to the Shell car wash.

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OPINION

MARCH 2019 A division of Invest Northwest Publishing Ltd. Vancouver Island Office 25 Cavan Street,Nanaimo, BC V9R 2T9 Toll free: 1.866.758.2684 Fax: 1.778.441.3373 Email: info@businessexaminer.ca Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

PUBLISHER/EDITOR | Lise MacDonald SALES | John MacDonald – john@businessexaminer.ca, Josh Higgins – josh@businessexaminer.ca WRITERS | Val Lennox, Robert MacDonald WEBSITE | John MacDonald – john@businessexaminer.ca

MEDICAL TOURISM WOULD HELP PATIENTS, THE ECONOMY, AND YES, CANADIAN HEALTH CARE

MARK MACDONALD

wo friends recently chose to obtain medical services in the United States and Mexico that gave both of them a renewed lease on life. Clean facilities? Check. Trustworthy pre and post-operative consultation? Check. Successful surgery? Check. Pain and medical problems solved? Check. Resumption of normal activities? Check. All for writing a cheque. One paid just over $5,000 for internal surgery in T ijuana, Mexico, received first class service and is delighted with the results. With their permission, doctors also fixed a hernia during the operation. Two-for-one service, if you will. They flew to San Diego, were picked up by concierge service, escorted through the U.S./Mexico border and stayed in first class accom modation wh i le being prepared for surgery. The

medical facility was pristine clean, matching reviews they devoured prior to the trip. A ny and all questions were answered throughout the process, which began with extensive consultation. The Mexican physicians were in constant contact with the patient’s Canadian doctor, who was fully aware of the procedure and process. With that, the patient had all normal concerns alleviated, and was greeted with post-operation care and monitoring once they returned to Canada a few short days later. A not her endu re d ye a rs of chronic knee pain, which they we re b a re ly a bl e to e ndu re thanks to a crutch, as they waited for “their turn” for elective knee replacement surgery. Finally, after consultations with family members, and a peek at their bank account that confirmed they were comfortably able to cover the $16,000 price tag through an Arizona medical facility, they went for it. It was a similar experience. First class travel, accommodation and care. In and out, comfortably back home within a matter of days. The result? They are walking crutch-less and painless, for the first time in many years. With a big smile on their face as they were able to resu me

normal day-to-day activities they hadn’t been able to enjoy for years. Couldn’t they have continued to wait their turn in Canada’s “one-tier” health care system? Sure. But why continue to put up with the pain and discomfort while options were available? They faced a decision: Spend the money now and “get their lives back”. Or line up in the lengthening queue that Canadian health care has become. And wait. And wait. And wait. They invested, and are now reaping the rewards of re-invigorated health. Some aspects of Ca nad ia n health care are excellent, most notably if it’s urgent or an emergency, as those patients a re looked after immediately and without question. But clearly, the “care” aspect is deteriorating. Is that actually becoming a misnomer? With the lack of “care” for those who need the system but can’t obtain it because they can “live with the pain” and sent to the back of the line, perhaps it should be more correctly referred to as the “health industry”. Oh yes, and Canadian health care is certainly not “free”, as defenders cry every time any possible adjustment to the status quo is suggested. The average Canadian family of four pays

just under $12,000 per year, hidden in their income tax bill, for health care. It is far from free. O u r a g i ng popu l at ion a nd ever-r i si n g cos t s m a ke t he long-term sustainability of this country’s public health system untenable. While many recognize it, the hue and cry against any and all attempts to change and refine the status quo quickly chase those who could make necessary changes running for cover. It appears that only a complete collapse of the public system would convince Canadians that time for an overhaul of the system is nigh. Medical Tourism, on the other ha nd, ca n accompl ish th ree things. First, people who can afford to do so, could and would pay for medical services here, alleviating pain and reducing surgical wait lists in private clinics. Second, it would help the economy by keeping those dollars in Canada, as well as providing new employment – and investment – opportunities here. And third, it would help improve the public system. How? By introducing a competitor into the monopolistic marketplace. There is no better way to get a company to pull up its collective socks and improve service than to have a competitor open their doors and offer to meet their

needs quicker and more cost efficiently. The existing system would be forced to compete and improve from within. This is where First Nations, in particular, can help those needing health care and themselves. Private clinics consistently battle – and mostly fail – to survive the assaults of Canada Health Act defenders. First Nations technically could under the banner of helping improving health, and their own financial outlook. Former Westbank First Nation Chief Robert Louie unveiled an ambitious plan to create a major health care facility on their Okanagan land years ago. It hasn’t happened yet. . .there, or elsewhere. Who would be willing to resist any First Nation facility that would drastically reduce surgical wait lists while accelerating their own economic self-sustainability and create well paying jobs in the process? This may offer the best opportunity to fix Canada’s health care crisis. But if we’re willing to admit it, we already have two-tiered health care. It’s just that the second tier – that is helping people get their lives and health back – is in other countries. T ho s e s e r v ic e s c o u ld a nd should be made available, here at home.

THIS BUDGET SEASON, CANADA MUST LOWER TAXES ON ENTREPRENEURS

THE FRASER INSTITUTE MILAGROS PALACIOS AND JAKE FUSS

ver the last few years, the federal government a n d m a n y p ro v i n c i a l counterparts have weakened incentives for entrepreneurs by raising personal income taxes. This budget season provides an opportunity to reverse this trend and introduce tax policies to attract, encourage and retain entrepreneurs.

The process should start with the federal government, which introduces its 2019 budget later this month. In 2015, the federal government introduced a 33 per cent tax bracket for entrepreneurs, professionals and successful business owners. Similar changes in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and several other provinces compounded this higher federal tax rate. The personal income tax rate imposed on these Canadians now exceeds 50 per cent in seven provinces, with the remaining provinces within a hair of 50 per cent. In addition to higher personal taxes, new and expanded federal and provincial regulations have made Canada a much less hospitable place to start a business, expand a business or invest new capital. A recent study analyzed provincial data from 1984 to 2015 and found that higher top inc o m e t a x ra te s d i s c o u ra ge

entrepreneurship and decrease the rate of small business startups, which is a commonly used measure of entrepreneurship. A one percentage point increase in the top rate can prevent up to almost 700 new businesses from being started. And some provinces have had increases of more than eight percentage points in their top tax rate when the federal increases are included. The decision about where to locate a new business is influenced by differences in income tax rates between jurisdictions. Take the example of an engineer who’s considering starting her new firm in Canada or the United States. Among several factors, the differences in personal income tax rates between the countries stand out. Despite taking on considerable personal risk, she would face a combined top rate between 47.5 and 54.0 per cent in Canada compared to a low of 37.0 per cent in the U.S. Her time and effort in starting

the new business provides a much lower reward in Canada. She will likely decide to live and work in the lower tax jurisdiction. T he U. S. i s Ca n a d a’s l a rgest and most direct competitor in attracting and retaining entrepreneurs. A recent study demonstrated that Canada’s personal income tax rates are markedly less attractive for entrepreneurs than rates south of the border. The list of 10 jurisdictions with the highest combined rates at $150,000 of income among the U.S. states and Canadian provinces are exclusively Canadian. No state including high-tax jurisdictions such as New York, California and New Jersey - have higher personal income tax rates at this level of income. Canadian tax increases come at a time when the U.S. govern ment has i mplemented sweeping reforms to push rates down for business owners and entrepreneurs.

Canada’s top combined personal income tax rates are among the highest in the industrialized world. Out of 34 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, Canada had the seventh highest combined top rate in 2017. This should be eye-opening for policy-makers. Canada is at a huge disadvantage for attracting and retaining entrepreneurs who we rely on for innovation, employment growth and general economic prosperity. High personal income tax rates have made Canada a less desirable place for entrepreneurship. During this year’s budget season, the federal and provincial governments must reduce personal income tax rates to create an environment conducive to entrepreneurship, risk-taking and growth. Jake Fuss and Milagros Palacios are analysts at the Fraser Institute.

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS

MARCH 2019

MOVERS AND SHAKERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41

Protection Island is currently listed for sale for $2.6-million. The 0.12-hectare property includes a four-bedroom house, the pub and the ferry service that runs between Protection Island and downtown Nanaimo. The Dinghy Dock has been operating since 1989 and is the only registered floating pub in Canada. The City of Nanaimo announced that it has issued a building permit to PEG Development to build a Courtyard by Marriott hotel at 100 Gordon Street across from the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. The issued permit means shovels can be in the ground this spring with construction complete by late 2020. The permit allows for a 172-room, nine-storey facility and construction value is estimated at $21.4-million.

LADYSMITHCHEMAINUS Ground has been broken and construction is officially underway on the new Chemainus library at 9796 Willow Street. Vancouver Island-based contractor CCM Construction is leading the construction, which is projected to be complete by Fall 2019.

T revor Ba rber h a s op ene d Ladysmith Construction at 309 Symonds Street, which will focus on home renovations. Bran-New Nailz has opened at 1125 Walkam Road in Ladysmith.

Access Centre marijuana dispensary which closed on October 17th alongside other shops in the Valley that were operating illegally when recreational marijuana became legalized. Sophie Reid owns Cowichan Valley Access Centre and expects to know within weeks whether a business license will be issued for the

The expanded Chemainus Valley Museum reopened on March 1 with new displays, technology and events. The Chemainus Valley Museum is operated by the Chemainus Valley Historical Society and is located in the center of town in Chemainus. T he Chemainus & District Chamber of Commerce is holding their annual general meeting on March 19 at the Sawmill Ta p h o u s e a n d G r i l l b e g i nning at 5:30 pm. Members and non-members are welcome to attend the event.

COWICHAN VALLEY Meyers Norris Penny welcomes Cara Light to its senior management team in Duncan at 372 Coronation Avenue. Cara has over 20 years of experience working with small- to medium-sized businesses and not-for-profits and is appointed to the position of senior manager of assurance and accounting. Discovery Honda congratulates Lloyd Jones and Trevor Sheck on

Cara Light being their top stars of the month for February. Discovery Honda is on the Island Highway just north of Duncan. The long-established Oak & Carriage Pub has been sold to two local friends who have plans to revitalize the space at 3287 Cowichan Lake Road. An application for a recreational marijuana store at 3050 Allenby Road received support from the CVRD’s board after a successful review and background check of its application by the Provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch. The site is the former location of the Cowichan Valley

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