Q. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/cities.
A. We are a locally owned and operated business. In Medicine Hat we mostly work with the insurance industry, examples: sewer backups, water losses, and fires; damages that you would call your insurance company to help cover.
We also do specialty cleaning, asbestos and mould remediation.
Q. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
A. Owned a restaurant for 3 years in Calgary
Certifications – IICRC certified Journeyman Restorer
Working on a Master Restorer
Q. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
A. To be able to help people in need
Something different every day, no one day the same
Q. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
A. Be prepared to work long hours, in and on your business
Make sure you have a good start up cash flow
Have systems for business and employees in place, constantly evaluate/re-evaluate those systems and don’t be afraid to make changes
Make sure even though under lots of stress and pressure, to make time for family
Q. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
A. Have short and long term goal set……on paper. Review them annually
Self-reliance: while you can get a lot of help out there, you have to be resourceful enough to depend on yourself.
Communication between you and your staff and customers is paramount
Q. How many hours do you work a day on average?
A. When starting up I worked an average of 12-14 hours a day 6 days a week
In the last 6 months I’m averaging 9-11 hours per days 5 days a week
Q. To what do you most attribute your success
A. Having the confidence within myself and constantly challenging myself to move forward by being self-reliant.
Q. How do you go about marketing your Business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
A. Social Media – Facebook
Web site
Yellow pages online
Networking in person to the insurance industry
Word of mouth
Q. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
A. NON APPLICABLE
Q. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
A. To stay upbeat, and positive, avoid negativity
Appreciate your employees
Don’t let outside factors determine our success. Keep fighting!!
Q. Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
A. To have Managers in place to run the business
Q. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
A. NONE
Q. How important have good employees been to your success?
A. Paramount – without “good” employees, there is no business
Q. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
A. If you have an idea, go down every avenue to try and achieve it. Never give up!
Q. What motivates you?
A. The work we do is deadline driven and it is visible
Highly goal driven and competitive
Attaining financial rewards
Being the best.
Q. What are your ideals?
A. Never stop studying
Find your “light bulb”
Be bold
Q. How do you generate new ideas?
A. Set up systems to support new ideas
Research, research, research….go online
Use your imagination
Meet new people
Q. How do you define success?
A. To me, success means creating a business that empowers customers, community and employees in equal measure. We want to add positive value to people’s lives, from a personal and professional standpoint.
Q. How do you build a successful customer base?
A. Attend networking events
Follow up with cards, personalized
Admit to successes and failures; be forth front
Q. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
A. It can’t be because there is no one higher to answer to, as there is always someone to answer to!
Making decisions, choosing what may be best for your business
Q. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
A. Being able to operate a successful family business with my wife
Q. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
A. Mind set
Accountability
More disposable Income
Q. What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
A. We have a family oriented organization
A relaxed atmosphere, with happy staff
We started with this tone and carry it through on a daily bases
Without our staff, there would be no business
Q. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
A. Rewarding
Q. If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
A. I would have more systems in place to help the flow of you company
Q. How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
A. Not having as much time to spend with our children when they were younger
Q. What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
A. Failing; manage this by staying positive
Q. How did you decide on the location for your business?
A. The location was already in place by being a third generation that has purchased buildings and business.
Q. Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
A. I believe there is a pattern to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
Q. Who has been your greatest inspiration?
A. My wife/husband
Q. What book has inspired you?
A. Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith has been an inspirational book
Q. What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
A. Not having enough experience
Missing out on quality family time
Q. How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
A. By gaining more knowledge, always learning more & more
Q. What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-working time?
A. Paddle boarding, golf, fishing, Bike riding, playing hockey
Q. What makes you happy?
A. When my family is happy, I am happy
Q. What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
A. Sacrifice family time
Sleep
For more information, visit Crane’s Restoration & Cleaning Services.