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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1991-05-01, Page 5IT'S Y()1JR R1JSTWFSS Times -Advocate, May 1, 1991 Page 5 Young Crediton entrepreneur takes crack at paint market Ily Ray Lewis CREDITON - Success is like the golden fleece of ancient mytholo- gy; often sought, but seldom found. For an enterprising young Crediton man, there is hope that painting houses will bring big numbers. Shawn Finkbeiner, a first-year student at the University of West- ern Ontario, became interested in Student Painters after a visit to one of his business classes by repre- sentatives of the company. Short- ly thereafter, he applied for a job as a manager. "I'm hoping it will give me some of the experience that I'll need to get into business school," said Finkbeiner. After he was accepted by Stu- dent Painters in November, Fink- beiner spent his January weekends in Toronto taking part in seminars on paint, marketing and affects of the GST. This was followed by yet more seminars on organiza- tional skills. Something he found really dif- ferent was being placed in the po- sition of employer; having to place advertisements with local employ- ment centres and learning to con- duct interviews. "It seemed a little strange at first," said Finkbeiner. "But it's really taught me a lot about how to approach my own job interviews." Currently, he has six university students working for him and plans to expand to 10 when things get really busy in June. As an employer, he tries to find people with some experience and then takes them out and does some actual jobs with them, to show them how to organize a project and how he expects it to be done. From that point on he monitors their production, and there is al- ways an experienced crew chief on the job site. Prep work is the largest and most important part of the job explained Shawn, and he assures that Student Painters takes the time to do it right. In fact they offer 'a written guarantee which they have just up- graded from two to three years. "The customer must be complete- ly satisfied before the job is fin- ished," said Finkbeiner. "If the cus- tomer isn't happy, the company will continue to work until he is." Student Painters is not a new company, but it is new to the area. The company was started by a Ca- nadian who saw potential in the market while working for a paint- ing company, set up and quickly expanded. The company now ex- tends into Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, California and Massa- chusetts. This year, it will have 160 man- agers in Ontario. Finkbeiner is somewhat the pioneer of this area. and his territory reaches as far north as Godench and south to about Parkhill. Although having barely returned home from university, he has al- ready had estimates at both ends. "1 think the best thing that I've done was to go to the Exeter Home and Garden Show," said Finkbein- er. "I've ended up doing 48 esti- mates on homes because of that weekend." At the time, however, it was very hectic for the young student. On average he was putting in 20-25 hours a week learning company op- erations, and the Home and Garden Show fell into a weekend bordered by Friday evening and Monday morning exams. With the economy the way it is, one would think that painters wouldn't exactly be in demand, and Finkbeiner agrees that was his orig- inal sentiment. "I thought it might be a problem," he said. "But people can't afford to buy new so they fix up what they have." He went on to explain that some of the company's best years have been during slow economic times. But even he didn't expect the tre- mendous response from the show. Things picked up in a hurry. Finkbeiner says that the response so far, especially alter the Home and Garden Show, has been very positive, with everyone wanting to help. Naturally, his employers want to see him do as well as they did, but it's the response of the cus- tomers which is really encouraging. "People in this area seem to real- ly want to support students," said Finkbeiner. "I'll do an estimate and they give you the job because they want to see you get back to school." Right now, Finkbeiner assures that all is going well and he's enjoy- ing the endeavor. Following this, he intends to apply for the double major program at Westem, combin- ing business with law, and if his at- titude toward Student Painters is anything like his attitude towards school, the operation will surely be a success. "I just want to learn," he says. "So I have that extra edge on peo- ple in business school." CAN find the best GIC . 91/2% 2-5years Let us shop the market for you agGasser-Kneale Exeter Grand Bend Hensall 235-2420 238-8484 262-2607 23Tieln dT ©c Shawn Finkbeiner CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Grand Bend Beachplace nears completion GRAND BEND - There were a lot of smiling faces Friday after- noon as the Beach Place Condo- miniums unveiled its model suite. It's been a long time, but devel- oper Matthew Richards of Beach - place Development Inc. said own- ers will be moving into the lower level of the Phase One building later next month. The complex has been designed into two phases. The first one is nearing completion and 28 of the 34 units have already been sold. The foundation is in for the second phase and 11 of those units have No, sold t . Beachplace •peyelopmetf`ti bought the beach property frtilti the Devlon Group and in the past few years there have been many long nights of discussion with the Kime, Mills, Dunlop. Chartered Accountants Dan/el B. Daum, B.A., M.Acc., C.A. Manager 412 Main St., P.O. Box 2405 Exeter, Ontario .NOM 1S7 (519) 235-0345 Fax: (519) 235-3235 f local council. "It's not over, it's ongoing but there's a slight sigh of relief," said Richards. He is in the process of construct- ing a public walkway between phase two and a private property. Phase One is seven storeys high. which also makes Richards quite happy - "I was the last to build at this height. There won't be another one," he said referring to the vil- lage's new height restriction of three storeys. A unique feature of Beachplace is that it is a V-shaped building which means everyone has a great view of Lake Huron. "I've seen too many buildings with a lousy floor plan," said Rich- ards. His company also has a highrise complex in Owen Sound, but by the way he spoke, Richards said die $15 million project in Grand Bend is superior. The price tag on the new condos vary from $144,900 to $319,900 and square footage is from to 1,166 to 2,088. John A.M. Norris CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT 497 Main Street South, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S1 Tel: (519) 235-3240 Fax: (519) 235-3246 MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES Condos open - Kelly Richards, left, was on hand to help open the new condos. FRED SIMMONS B.A. Personal and Business Tax Returns For appointment or pickup service Cali (519) 235-1854 "In terms of who's buying, it's a wide spectrum. Most are from Southern Ontario," he said. The building was designed by Ar- ichitectural Accord Incorporated of Stratford and JCL. Baxter, Inc. of Kitchener did tho construction man- agement. The model suite was tastefully decorated by Richard's mother Rosemarie who is an interior de- signer. 1 1� Gaiser-Kneale Insurance Brokers Inc. Notiud vi Change effective May 6, 1991 AUCTIONEERS FILSON & ROBSON The Experienced Auctioneers that Guarantee You More $$ Considering A Sale a Need an Appraisal 666-0833 666-1967 Call Collect Supplying You with 30 Yrs. Efficient Service Mobile office • Immediate Payment • 2 Auctioneers It Is Our Pleasure To serve You Bob Heywood Licensed Auctioneer Specializing in household and estate auctions Reasonable rates Bob 235-0874 Laverne 235-1278 NORM WHITING LICENSED AUCTIONEER 8 APPRAISER Prompt Courteous Efficient ANY TYPE, ANY SIZE ANYWHERE W. Rive complete ..Is service PROFIT SY IXP1 UNCI Phone Collect 231.1161 EXITIR AUCTIONEERS Bruce & Brett Coulter Household, Estate and Farm Auctbns Grand Bend 238-8000 Parkhill .. 294-6164 Celebrate - Developer Matthew Richards, left; and Henry Monteith chat in the hallway of the model suite at Beachplace. w Susan Smith Ins. Broker Hensall office will be closed and files moved to Exet- er. For many years, we have continued to operate a small brokerage office in the community of Hensall. Pending changes in legislation at the provincial level have forced us to make a decision. 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