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| Local Business Saying No To Recession Thinking
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Job losses are imminent across certain parts of Canada and many RRSP Accounts have taken major hits over the past several months, coinciding with the unstable economy. However, here in the Southwest and across the Province of Saskatchewan, the atmosphere is much the opposite. Hundreds of jobs are available in a variety of sectors and local business owners are saying they’re monthly sales are still remaining above or close to the same time frame in 2008.
Glen Christiansen has been in the flooring business since 1979 and has achieved great success over the years building a reputation of great value and customer service in the community. Having worked in many larger centres such as Winnipeg and Montreal, Christiansen chooses to continue doing business here in Swift Current because of its’ positive business climate, sense of community and progressive outlook. Christiansen says the past several years have been the best he’s
experienced in the history of his business.
( Glen Christiansen- Décor Complete)
“Our business has been particularly great in the last 3 years prior to that we saw peaks and valleys but always sufficient business to maintain a good operation. The last few years have been extraordinary and I always say I waited 30 years for the present market, so it’s been good we’ve been very happy with the level of our success.”
With the influx of residents to Swift Current and the Southwest and building permits up in recent years, his 7 employees at the Store and 6 flooring installers out in the field have been busy month after month.
Christiansen notes the recent Home Owners grant announced in the Federal Budget, will keep the steady flow of cash and carry supplies moving out of his showroom, as the “do it yourself home owner” can now tackle renovations with a lighter load on their pocket book. As far as his Outlook for 2009, Christiansen remains positive his business will have a another successful year.
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( Glen Christiansen- Décor Complete)
“I’m personally very optimistic that things will continue to move ahead. Judging what has happened in our business in January and February we’re still making gains over last year. We are realistic to the fact though there probably won’t be as many building permits this year, there may not as many housing starts but overall the market will still be good. It may not be as good as 2008 but I’m very optimistic that 2009 can still be an above average year”
Meanwhile in the Financial sector of downtown Swift Current, it’s business as usual for 2009. Tyler Bragg has owned Pinnacle Financial Services for the past seven years offering Accounting and Mortgage Brokerage Services to his Southwest cliental. Bragg says long hours and a commitment to his clients has brought his firm continued success. As far as the current economic turmoil, Bragg believes nothing’s changed drastically on the local front, and his day to day operation will remain on track in the coming months.
( Tyler Bragg-Pinnacle Financial Services)
“Well for 2009, I guess things might not be as robust as the last 2 years but I still see lots of opportunity and I as mentioned before I’m taking the recession off. I think we keep moving on like we’ve always have and it’ll be good.”
Bragg goes on to add that the success of the Province as a whole has trickled down to communities such as Swift Current and the entire region with the positive business climate and quality of life attractive to many across the country.
( Tyler Bragg-Pinnacle Financial Services)
“Well I think Saskatchewan for a long time has been waiting to boom which it is and I know the rest of the country things have slowed a lot but I very optimistic about Saskatchewan. For the first time in a long time you see a lot of the other provinces looking at Saskatchewan and saying hey why are they doing so well and maybe we should go and check it out, maybe we should move there and set up a business. I see a lot of good things, if the other provinces want to talk about how bad things are well then go ahead and we’ll talk about how good things are here and we’ll benefit from it.”
And when asked of the media portrayal of the current economic situation these featured business owners had these comments.
( Tyler Bragg- Pinnacle Financial Services)
“I turn the TV on every morning when I come in early to work and hear a lot of gloom and doom and bad news and more lost jobs but we have a lot of clients that are doing really well and it’s frustrating to me because they get lost in all the bad news. That’s why I really like what you’re doing talking about businesses that are doing well because there’s lots that are and I think the same goes for attitudes. If we focus on businesses that are doing well and good news then it will rub off on people too and everybody will start to do well.”
( Glen Christiansen- Décor Complete)
“Yes there are factors that are out there, the situation in the U.S. is no doubt having some concern and it will have an effect on the Canadian market and the change in the dollar will have an effect on import products but all in all I’m still very optimistic that we’re going to have a good year in the province of Saskatchewan and in the city of Swift Current.”
Stay connected to Southwest TV News as we continue to highlight other local businesses “Saying NO To Recession Thinking.”
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