This week, the success of Trail Blazer’s Reverse-D Handle Snow Shovels / Made in Nova Scotia continued. I re-stocked four different Home Hardware stores, located in Berwick, Liverpool, Upper Tantallon & Wolfville Nova Scotia. I delivered and set-up for the first time at Gow’s Home Hardware in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.
While I visited Liverpool Home Hardware, I was very excited to learn that the Region of Queens Municipality purchased our Reverse-D Handle Snow Shovels. Located in southwestern Nova Scotia and formed through an amalgamation of Liverpool and the County of Queens. Queens County was founded by New England settlers and maintained strong ties with the American colonies until the American Revolution. Queens County contains substantial portions of Kejimkujik National Park north of Caledonia and the Seaside Adjunct near Port Joli and Port Mouton.
Liverpool has the largest population in Queens County and a lively business community, whose largest employer is the Bowater Mersey Paper Company. Large business franchises provide modern convenience, while the community’s quaint small shops still thrive in the original business district on Main Street, where Home Hardware is located.
Rafuse Home Hardware in this photo with Acadia
My excitement continued when I visited Rafuse Home Hardware. I discovered Acadia University purchased some of our Reverse-D Handle Snow Shovels. Acadia University is located in the town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, where Rafuse is located. Acadia received several A-level grades in the Globe and Mail and they emphasize a personalized education with an average class of 26 students, helping to maintain an intimate learning environment.
I was very proud this week, when Gow’s Home Hardware, in Bridgewater Nova Scotia, decided to start offering Trail Blazer’s Reverse-D Handle Snow Shovels & Pushers. This will now make these Nova Scotia made snow shovels available in over twenty Home Hardware stores and Co-op Country stores in Atlantic Canada.
I visited Gow’s Home Hardware in Bridgewater Nova Scotia and I would like to thank them for choosing Trail Blazer’s Reverse-D Handle Snow Shovels & Pushers for their end-isle display (shown in photo). I would like to take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to Amanda Fancy for becoming the new owner of Gow’s Home Hardware this month. Previous owner Peter Gow said he’s confident the company’s values and philosophy will continue with Ms. Fancy’s ownership. The business, which will keep the Gow’s name, is located at the Eastside Plaza, 450 LaHave Street, Bridgewater Nova Scotia. Robert Dawson founded the business in 1848 and sold the hardware store to Walter Gow. Peter Gow became the third-generation owner of Gow’s Home Hardware and the store is considered to be the oldest established business in Bridgewater.
Back at the office, I met with BDC consultants, who’ll provide work place training to improve profitability in February. As I purchased Robert’s lunch … his Senators defeated my Leafs Tuesday, we were joined by Andrew Hardman to discuss starting phase 2 of lean training with focus on inventory management.
Back at home, I was very proud of my son when I attended and watched his performance at Prince Andrew High School with my wife Dawna and daughters Natalie & Victoria. Travis participated in a play “part of his drama class” about abusive relationships with a question period afterwards to create discussion on this important subject. In the play a father was pushing his beliefs onto his son, a boy was pushing the thought of sex onto his girlfriend, a girl was angry with her boyfriend “my son” because of a lack of trust and a girl’s parents couldn’t accept that their daughter loved another girl. They also performed the same play for grade 9 students at three different junior high schools in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. My son also joined the cast while answering their questions to create discussion and let the students know that there is always someone you can talk to … A very important message.
I had a scary moment earlier this week during my weekly nature walk with Victoria & Rollie. A very important part of our family cut his foot and required 9 staples & a pressure bandage to put it back together. I feel very bad that this happened and we’re hoping for a speedy recovery for our special dog & important family member … Rollie.
All the Best, Shawn Levangie
A Look back, January 23rd 2011
One Year Ago, I participated in Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s advisory session as an advisor and a family business panel during a half-day finance seminar. I enjoyed lunch at the Nova Scotia Yacht squadron as a guest of the Halifax Executives Association.
Today, I seek out new knowledge from consultants to better my capabilities as a business owner; there is always room for improvement. I enjoyed lunch provided by Acadian Seaplants who hosted our board meeting for the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
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