This week, I received a request from Sheepleg to become a dealer in Kentucky.  Trail Blazer shut down early for bowling and a very special announcement.  I enjoyed Herb Crusted Chicken Breast with my fellow chamber members.  I was a judge at the Atlantic Canada Regional Exposition and the Trail Blazer team saves $50,000 in expenses.

I received a request to become a dealer, for our products, from Jerry Dempsey, “The Shepherd” with Sheepleg in Kentucky, USA.  I sent him Trail Blazer’s product catalogue and dealer pricing which included our prepaid shipping program, showing that Trail Blazer is based in Canada, but does not charge their US customers any duties or taxes.  Jerry currently carries the 15″ Sawvivor™ Saw from Liberty Mountain in Utah and is now looking to expand his selection with more good sellers from Trail Blazer products.  Like our new Reverse D-Handle Snow Shovels, the original Take-Down™ Buck Saws, Telescopic 5-Pulley Tree Pruners, Geared Wavy Hedge Shears, Ratchet Anvil Loppers, Bypass Loppers, Xtend-A™ Garden Tools & Xtreme™ Hatchets.

I was curious where the name “Sheepleg” came from and visited their website to learn more … When Jerry was a young boy, coming in from the cold, he had snot running out of his nose.  His grandmother would help him and when pulling the tissue away the snot would finally brake loose.  She would then say to Jerry “looks like we got a sheepleg.”

Tuesday, Trail Blazer products shut down early because I invited the entire team to meet me at the Beazley Bowling lanes for a very special announcement that I needed everyone present for.  We all enjoyed two strings of bowling before I explained why we were there and the very special announcement.  The entire Trail Blazer team was invited there to be in an environment where everyone was laughing and having a well deserved good time with each other, when I told them … “Thank You”

I appreciate the hard work & dedication the Trail Blazer team demonstrates on a daily bases … but there not bowlers!!!

Justin Caldwell, discussed putting together a 20 person dragon boat team, that would race on Lake Bannock & raise money for KidSport™ which provides support to children with financial barriers preventing them from playing organized sport.  Don Paquet also suggested that a group fishing trip would be a great team building activity … I agree.

Wednesday, I enjoyed Herb Crusted Chicken for lunch with my fellow chamber members.  During lunch we received an appreciated FREE ALTernative stay to discover an ALTernative hospitality … By spending the night “on them” at the ALT Hotel of our choice.  With three hotels located first in Montreal’s Brossard Quartier, second in Quebec City and recently the third was opened near Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.  A fourth will be opening near Halifax’s Stanfield International Airport in May.  At my table, I had conversations and the pleasure of meeting with Cecil Freeman & Cheryl Jenkins with Keller Williams Realty, Derrick Andres with Avondale Construction & Sean Farmer with Cox & Palmer.

The Distinguished Speakers Series features informative & thought-provoking topics by business, government & institutional speakers on regional economic development. Federal & provincial ministers, executives of corporations & influential thinkers keep members up-to-date on topical events & issues affecting the business community.

Friday, I joined Enactus Canada,  a community of student, academic & business leaders who enable entrepreneurial action.  I served as a judge at the 2013 Atlantic Canada Regional Exposition. As business people, were committed to using our expertise, time & resources to help young leaders understand the promise of business.  I enjoyed the presentations, from the Atlantic University students, with hopes to move on to the National Exposition & competition in Toronto, ON, May 6-8th.  The champions were chosen by a panel of industry leaders serving as judges.

The 2013 Atlantic Canada Regional Champions in the Student Entrepreneur Competition:

• Daniel Saulnier, Université de Moncton student & owner of Memories2Go
• Michael Craig, Acadia student & owner of Roxbur Ski & Snowboard Club

Back at the Office, Betty Millard and Kenton McNutt continue to redesign the boxes used in shipping.  The proposed changes will lower the amount of cardboard used and the space required to ship Trail Blazer products.  Not only is this project great for the environment, after conservative number calculations in the shipping box purchase cost and shipping rates via courier box & pallet size, it has been determined that this project will save Trail Blazer a minimum of $45,000 per year and the saving will grow even more as revenue increases.  Keep up the great work!!! Its projects like this that allows business to grow capital for growth within its operation.

Brent Jensen and Don Paquet continue to sort through slow moving inventory and palletized some assortments for Justin Caldwell to liquidate.  When Justin sells these pallets, he is reducing space requirements for warehousing & creating additional cash flow, which potentially could save Trail Blazer $5,000 per year in warehouse expenses.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie