SMALL BUSINESS SPECIAL EDITION - Thursday, October 18, 2012 - Page 7
Local success story Con’t from Page 6.
there’s a person that walks in here that doesn’t have a story... I’m a sucker for old stuff, a sucker for the historical value of things... so it meant a lot to me to know that this is a big part of history and to know that I had an opportunity to be a part of it. “We’ve spent about five and a half years here now and I’m hoping that our five and a half years will give this place another 110 years... and that we’re just going to be a small part of whatever it will have to offer.” If you’re a would-be entrepreneur and you have dreams of following in the footsteps of Sharp and Jennett don’t give up but do be prepared to work hard and to think a little differently. “You can’t be scared to take on something everyone else is scared of. Everything I’ve accomplished in my life I’ve accomplished by going outside the box. When people say no, there’s not a chance, that makes me drive a little harder... If you’re afraid of change, if you’re afraid of new things, if you’re afraid of doing something you’ve never done before then probably it’s not for you,” says Sharp. “If you’ve got the drive and you’re not scared to take something on that looks overwhelming your chances are good.” Strong support networks don’t hurt an entrepreneur’s chances either. Sharp says he wouldn’t be where he is today without Jennett and he adds, it’s a great feeling that together, they can finally start enjoying the fruits of success.
More than a hotel, the building consists of a restaurant (now serving a full sushi menu), a lounge (Rayzr’s Bar & Pub), rental apartments on the upper floor and business rental spaces on the lower floor. There was much to attend to before the couple could even think of opening any doors. About four months into the project the work began to pay off. “We opened the doors and we were busy right off the bat,” says Sharp. “It exceeded our expectations...” Both single parents working to make ends meet, neither Sharp nor Jennett had any previous experience in the hospitality industry. It was a learning curve in all areas and a challenge they had to meet head on. “It was exciting, overwhelming, crazy and... we learned fast because we had no choice... I can honestly say I’ve become a master fixer of just about anything and everything...” Profits were turned back into the building and since that time the old Yorkton Hotel has undergone many renovations on every level, earning the couple the award they received last week. With every aspect of the hotel now up and running, it’s still a work in progress says Sharp but it’s come a long way and more change can be expected in the coming months. This summer the plan is to restore the outside of the building. “We’ve got a lot more work we want to do in every area... it really never ends. But we never have to worry about what we have to do when we get here in the morning that’s for sure.” Taking on such a monumental project and turning it into a success story can’t help but come with a certain sense of pride. “It was a 100 year plus old building at the time we took it over... the history is amazing... I don’t think Nadine Jennett and Ray Sharp
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