Behind the Scenes with Mike Rainville

Each month, "Behind the Scenes" features an interview with a leader in our community designed to provide readers a glimpse into his/her interests and passions inside and outside of the workplace

This month, "Behind the Scenes" sat down with Mike Rainville, owner of Maple Landmark in Middlebury.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Lincoln and I still live there.

Where did you go to school?

I went to Lincoln Community School and Mt. Abraham. I got my B.S. from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY.

First ever job?

My first paying job was for rolling bales in the hayfield when I was 6. My grandparents had a hill farm, a dairy and sugaring operation (Maple Landmark Homestead) where I helped a lot. My parents then owned the general store in Lincoln in the 70’s and 80’s, which became the center of family activity. As a teenager I mowed lawns in the summer and I started my woodworking business before I was old enough to drive myself to the lumberyard. I’ve never regularly worked outside these family enterprises.

Who was your greatest inspiration growing up?

Probably my entire extended family. They set a good example of hard work, service, and community involvement. Since it was largely around family businesses (farm and store) there was a lot of transparency for me about the working world, involvement with the land, and dealing with the public. My parents were originally both teachers and that world was fairly transparent as well, especially when my mother was my first grade teacher and my grandmother was the principal. I’m glad my sons had a chance to have an equivalent experience growing up here at the shop. As an employer, it is sad to see young people with absolutely no sense of how to go about making a living.

Who do you most admire?

Currently I follow Jordan Peterson regularly. He has an uncommon ability to broadly observe and speak about the world with a very honest and practical level of understanding. It is welcome clarity against the current culture which too often tends to revel in self-satisfying falsehoods.

Favorite Vacation Spot?

No place in particular. I’d like to say anywhere I can relax but when we go away there is a tendency to try to make the most of wherever we are and then come home to rest. I’ve been to NYC more than anywhere else for business and pleasure and I rather enjoy the city, in limited doses.

Favorite movie, TV show?

TV – M*A*S*H. Nothing has held my attention the same way since. Movie –I’ve always liked the small movie Local Hero. It is a fun, quirky hometown sort of story with a great soundtrack by Mark Knopfler.

What's the greatest career risk you have taken?

Often the biggest risks aren’t recognized as such until they are in hindsight. Starting a wooden toy business in the age of plastics was not the easiest thing to do. Then again, maintaining a wooden toy business in the age of electronics is … well, at least I’ve lived consistently.

Typical work week?

I usually tell people that is classified information. I’m usually at work every day, trying to catch up or get ahead. I will say that on weekdays there isn’t much traffic on the road during the hours I come and go.

Biggest Career Challenge?

My biggest challenge came a few years after college. I had to confront that, while I liked making stuff, I wasn’t great at selling it (a common trait among woodworkers). I was gaining customers, but it was a slog that was wearing me down and I couldn’t visualize a better plan. One day I received a letter from another small wooden toymaker across the state who was looking to sell out. Short story, the deal became my solution. It augmented what I was doing in several positive ways and got me over the critical mass hurdle. It germinated our development of NameTrains a few years later and we quickly outgrew the Lincoln shop and built in Middlebury.

What's the one thing you would like to see change in your business/industry?

I wish the industry and society would place more value in children’s toys. I’m not sure which is the cart and which is the horse but for generations toys have been cheapened and devalued. They were among the first products outsourced to Asia to save a nickel or a dime, with decreasing thought to their design. At one point the largest distributor of toys was McDonalds with their “free” happy meal toys. Too many toys are discarded or broken by Dec. 26, that is not a good thing. Neither are screens for small kids, they need to learn the physical world.