Featured Contributors G.H. Lewmer
Mackenzie Brooks
Writer G. H. Lewmer has an extensive background working in film and television as a technician. In his spare time, he has a multitude of interests including chi harmonization, cranial-sacral therapy and yogic magik. He has been writing for Fine Lifestyles magazines for the past three years. He enjoys the diversity of assignments that Fine Lifestyle offers, and enjoys meeting and supporting all the fine individuals and businesses through his writing.
Mackenzie Brooks is a freelance writer whose articles appear in several local publications, as well as, magazines in British Columbia and as web copy for a diverse range of clients in the fields of fashion, beauty and advertising. Her work has been featured in ad and media campaigns in event management and professional fundraising content. She is also a featured contributor on www.atrampabroad.com, a website dedicated to travel writing and inspiring wanderlust. Mackenzie is also a dedicated arts enthusiast whose love of dance and history has taken her across Europe in pursuit of each, most recently in the dusty and forgotten corners of Spain, Hungary and Romania.
FeaturedContributor
Meredith Heron MEREDITH HERON
rea was tired so we updated w furniture and I customhe drum shade to make a Meredith Heron’s love of design came ment in the room. It was a early and was nurtured in childhood while affordable way to add drama rearranging furniture and conducting om—we loved thetours fabric house forso her schoolmates in her home. on Although Meredith tried peated it on family’s the valances more traditional route, becoming an s and frenchadoors.
If you’d like help refreshing your space or designing from new, Meredith is available to consult or travel to help you make it fabulous.
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Ashleigh Ashleigh Mattern Mattern
Ashleigh Mattern is a freelance writer Ashleigh Mattern a freelance You can follow herisdesign antics daily and editor, born, raised and living in elementary school teacher, her passion, on herAand award winning blog Sashay writer editor, born, raised at Saskatoon. recent graduate of the enthusiasm and infectious love of design meredithheron.com/blog and living in Saskatoon. A recent ramatic darktook charcoal walls University of Saskatchewan, she spent over. Shortly after striking out on or over atof hgtv.ca where she of thethe University fourgraduate years working for student ant pops ofher redown, against the made her mark by beginning Red Heron EssenMeredith is also a regular contributor. Saskatchewan, she spent four newspaper the Sheaf, first as d cabinetry, tials—now we don’tMeredith even Heron Design Inc. with offices in the prestigious arts editor, then as copy editor, and years working for the student Designer’s Walk in downtown Toronto. She is a regular host/designer less than thrilling ceramic finally asget editor-in-chief. Lasther year, her at newspaper the email Sheaf, first as To in touch team on several HGTV floors. It disappears, whichshows and her work has been featured on W Netexperience as a representative on editor, the info@meredithheron.com arts editor, then as copy work. Driven, dynamic, and passionate, with moxie and style that is esolves the ongoing battle Canadian University Press board of inherently Meredith, she blends, creates, discovers, and designs that and finally editor-in-chief. year, her experience as a sband and wife over whether directors gave herasa new appreciation Last for non-profit governance. which can only be best described as personally yours. representative on the Canadian University Press She currently sits on two non-profit boards. Having worked as aboard of extend hardwood into the www.meredithheron.com freelance writer for the past three years, she has written for many directors gave her a new appreciation for non-profit governance. ot. FHR publications. enjoys creative writing continues IF YOU HAVE ANlocal ISSUE She currently She sits also on two non-profit boards.and Having worked as a to pursue a career in for thatthe field despite warnings to. for many WITH YOUR CONTRACTOR, freelance writer past threemany years, she hasnot written
Shell Busey
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH IT? local publications. She also enjoys creative writing and continues
Based in South Surrey, BC, Shell has national recognition, with more than 50 years of home improvement industry experience under his belt; including over 25 years as a radio program host, and 118 episodes of his Home Check television program, he continues to deliver the howto, what-to, where-to, why-to, when-to, and who-to of home improvement. Shell also leads the HouseSmart Home Services Referral Network, a service he created to help homeowners find qualified and reliable tradespeople, suppliers and products for their home improvement projects. Shell now hosts a weekly webcast program, Ask Shell, on his website every Thursday at 6:00 p.m. www.AskShell.com. www.AskShell.com
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to pursue a career in that field despite many warnings not to. www.ashleighmattern.com
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By Shell BuSey
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aving been part of the home improvement industry for over 50 years, I’ve seen my fair share of customer issues involving contractors. In the majority of cases, it is clearly an issue of miscommunication between the contractor and customer or vice versa.
Gail JansenKesslar Karin Melberg
It’s not uncommon to turn on your television set and see a ‘reality’ type program dramatizing how a customer has been taken advantage of by an unscrupulous contractor. In fact, I recall seeing a write-up not too long ago, by a well-known television personality which stated something along the lines that over 90 per cent of contractors do not know what they are doing, and do not perform their work up to industry standards. I must reassure you, this is not the case.
Writer Gail Jansen-Kesslar loves learning about the stories behind the stories with every new person, idea or innovation that Karin Schwier thirst is for a crosses her Melberg path. An unending Saskatoon author knowledge and a writer, love of the written and word illustrator whose noted works made it inevitable thatmost her path would one disabilities. day are leadabout her to apeople writingwith career. Formerly of She she has now written books and Alberta, livesseveral and works full-time as amany freelancer in the province of articles forbooming home renovation Saskatchewan. and lifestyle magazines, and is
Schwier
So, if the majority of contractors are reputable, how come there seems to be so many conflicts between contractors and their customers? Part of a contractors’ role in dealing with a customer is to educate them. Customers are using contractors because they themselves lack the knowledge or skill-set to perform the work required. A contractor needs to explain to the customer what they are suggesting the customer do, and why they feel that is the best route for the customer to take. If a customer knows why a contractor is going to perform a specific task, they will be better able to communicate with the contractor when they have any concerns regarding the work being performed.
Some contractors will take offense when they feel their workmanship or knowledge is being questioned by a customer. I am often asked for my opinion regarding work that was done at a customer’s home, I will ask the customer if they have spoken to the contractor. Far too often the response I get is: “no, we didn’t want to upset them.” This is an important point to emphasize, how can a contractor address your concerns if they are unaware that you have any?
currently completing her eighth www.gailforcewriting.com
book, Flourish: People with Disabilities Live Life with Passion www.karinschwier.com
(Copestone,
2012).
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