| Community Futures
South Central
Inspiration Decor Offers Paint, Wallpaper, and
Customer Service
John Hallett's inspiration was to own Inspiration
Decor, a Benjamin Moore paint retailer in Moose Jaw. Even
though he had been the store manager for three years, and had
a decade's worth of experience before that, he still encountered
a major hurdle when he tried to buy the business.
"I ran into a lot of problems receiving
financing from the banks," says Hallett. "I took my
research of the business to (Business Development Officer) Candi
Galbraith at South Central Community Futures, and she assisted
me in developing a business plan. Within two weeks I had my start-up
financing from SCCF."
Hallett has now logged two successful years
as a store owner. Inspiration Decor is located near downtown
Moose Jaw, and offers paint and wallpaper products, along with
the tools to apply them. The store also rents paint sprayers,
wallpaper steamers, pressure washers and floor sanders.
How does he compete against the big boxes? "By
providing exceptional customer service and value in a high quality
product, with expert knowledge of the industry," Hallett
replies. "I strive to develop a relationship with my customers
by trying to remember their names and their needs. In turn, this
creates consumer loyalty."
Those customers, Hallett observes, range from
25 to 65 years of age, many of them inspired by the renovation
trend that has swept North America. "My business has increased
by 15 per cent each year since I began in Moose Jaw five years
ago. It's been an incredible journey thus far, and I'm looking
forward to the future."
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