Why small business owners risk it all to open a business

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We asked our members in Atlantic Canada why they risked it all to open a business. We think the answers will help decision-makers better appreciate what makes small business owners tick and the contribution they make to the province and our region.

Read some of the answers below. We think you'll find the stories heart-warming, inspiring and honest and a testament to the people that are working hard to build our communities, one business at a time.

 

I decided to open my own business because I knew I had the drive and determination to succeed. My uncle, who is a very successful businessman, said I would fail because the market was saturated with my business type. That was in 1991....and it made me more determined to be better than the rest.

Les Jones
Compu-Tech Services Inc., Fredericton, NB

 

We became a small business to serve people as well as the fact it seemed to be the right thing because my husband enjoys "working for himself".  It's not an easy way with all the fees and obligations of businesses.  But I do think CFIB is making head way for us!! Thank you.

Mauretia Keddy
S.A.V.E. Inc., Sussex, NB

 

I became a small business owner because I couldn't get a job after graduating from university in the top of my business class even with having excellent previous work references. The problem? I was disabled and none of the companies I approached wanted to hire someone who had some medical issues but looked healthy. Even though my disability had obvious benefits - I was good with computers and very quick at learning new programs - human resources couldn't get their heads around someone who couldn't write by hand. After a frustrating job search, there was no other option for me as a single parent but to start my own business.

Jean Dickson
Communicate Zing, Kingston, NB

 

 

 

 

The Business we were involved in closed. Rather than take a transfer we decided to take a chance and see if we could make a go of it on our own. It's been over 15 years.

Wanda Rettinger
Capital Cad Supplies, Fredericton, NB

 

 

I was living in Whistler - the land of multimillion dollar chalets - working in a big corporate hotel and the thought of opening our own business was very attractive. The bureaucracy of a big hotel and the corresponding inability to make quick decisions without forming a subcommittee, combined with living in a housing market that would be forever beyond our reach made the decision to open our own restaurant quite easy.  

We packed up the U-Haul and drove across Canada to Fredericton, NB. Nine years later, with two small children and a busy restaurant, the decision proved to be the right one. Of course, there are days when I would rather be driving a forklift for a living, but overall becoming an entrepreneur has been very rewarding. The rewards are primarily lifestyle as opposed to monetary and I may have to work until I am 80 but at least I will be happy doing it.  

Chris Black
The Blue Door, Fredericton, NB

 

 

 

 

  

Bill has thirty years experience in Carpentry and Myrna has thirty years in business management.  We decided to become a small business owners because we wanted to create employment for others and independence for ourselves.  We found our skills complimented each other.  So far, Bill being the contractor plus Myrna being the manager equals a successful business. One important goal for us is to continue to create employment for our local workers and fellow small business owners.

Bill Droust & Myrna Geldart
WL Drost Contracting, Steeves Muntain, NB

 

 

It was a combination of want and need.  I had always wanted to run my own computer shop, ever since I was a young kid.  However, I never saw an opportunity to do so early on.  I graduated from Dalhousie and got a job as a software trainer and server technician.  After five months, work began to dry up.  By the end of September of 2007, I was effectively out of work.  I dropped into a computer shop that I had done work with in my last year of university to see what they were up to and we jokingly talked about me opening another store since I had no work.  Not more than two or three days later, I found out that there was a retail space opening back in my home town that would be perfect for a potential store.  I got the space temporarily held while we worked out a plan.  This was October of 2007.  The second Full Spectrum Computers (now Downtown Digital) store opened in Sackville, NB on December 7, 2007.
Through a combination of long time desire, help from family and a random, yet perfect, set of circumstances, I was able to achieve what I had always wanted to do.  I now participate in my local community on various boards.  I wouldn't dream of having it any other way.

Christopher Harborne
Downtown Digital, Sackville, NB

 

My decision to open a business, at first, was that of employment for myself. I started as a portable welding business in 1996 out of the back of my truck, and while performing a welding job at a local Canadian Tire service center, was asked to repair their automotive hoist. Further discussion with the owner at that time opened me up to the lack of service people for this industry. I went for training in Ontario at several of the automotive lift manufactures and obtained their backing. By 1997 I was specializing in automotive lift repair, service and safety certification. Operating as an automotive lift service company I was finding it difficult to find replacement cable for lifts which are the most commonly replaced parts. With my background being in Industrial Mechanics and Manufacturing I decided to make the investment and purchase equipment to manufacture the cable assemblies at my facility. This has proven to be very beneficial as I also wholesale the cables to other service companies in the USA and Canada as well as direct to the lift owners. I have had up to 4 employees and currently have 1 employee other than myself.

Mike Ellis
Ellis Industries ltd., Bedell, NB

 

Both of the current owners of Briggs & Little are family descendants of previous mill owners, but we did have to make a huge decision in the fall of 1994 when our mill burned to the ground. There is a pride, determination, sense of satisfaction and duty when you are responsible for a business that had been around for over 135 years. Being located in a small community, we have repeat generations in both our customers and our employees. We had tremendous support from customers, employees, as well as government when it came time to make the life changing decision to re-build. We were only interested in continuing if we could provide the same quality, service, and value that our customers had become accustomed to. We owe it all to the dedication of our work family and the continued support from loyal customers who have made it a pleasure to serve. The return has been difficult, and we don't feel we have totally arrived yet, but given the uncertainty that is ever present in today's market, we are still growing and adapting to the new conditions.

John Little
Briggs & Little Woolen Mills Ltd., Harvey York Co, NB

 

Do you want to add your own story? Email us at MSNB@cfib.ca