MENTORMOMENT
This is a great business INTERVIEW BY ROD McDONALD
KELVIN VANDERVEEN, owner of
that my customers always want something new and something different. If you don’t change with your customer’s needs, your future is not bright.
Vanderveen’s Greenhouses in Carman, Man., is known for his humility, integrity and his devout beliefs. Vanderveen’s got its start as a market Q. You have moved away from natugarden in 1970, selling leftover vegetable seedlings ral gas as your heating source to flax to the local people. From that humble beginning shives. Why? 50 years ago, it has grown to more than 20 acres of A. It costs me roughly half the price to heat with greenhouses. It now sells plants by the semi-load in flax shives and they are readily available in the Manitoba, Saskatchewan and northern Ontario. Carman area. Add in the carbon tax and I am doI have walked through Kelvin’s greenhouses when ing much better not using natural gas. he put on the brakes to remove a broken branch KELVIN VANDERVEEN from a poinsettia three benches over. That was Q. What is your philosophy regarding one branch from hundreds of thousands of poincustomer service? settias. He pays attention to details. Kelvin and I have had a business A. My customers are my boss. Without my customers I would not have relationship for 30 years, and I learned I could always count on him. a business. I try to accommodate my customers, to get them what Here are his answers to my questions. they want, delivered on time.
When did you start working in the family business?
There was never a time when I was not a part of this business. I enjoyed it so much that I quit school in grade eleven to work full-time with my father. School was just not the right fit for me. The greenhouse was not a great success at first, and when I was 18, I was paid only 35 cents an hour. I took over from my dad in my mid-20s, and he was okay with me stepping into the leadership role along with my brother Les.
Q. What is your philosophy regarding employees?
Did you ever imagine one day you would reach the size and success you are at now?
Never! I had no dream. I just kept adding a bit more square footage until I reached the point I am at today.
A. I have never had a year where demand was so strong. I did sell out. Having said that, when Covid-19 became a pandemic in March, I was not sure if we would even have a season. I did not fill up my greenhouses. I cut back.
To what do you attribute your success?
Q. Final thoughts?
God’s blessing to work hard with my brother, Les. I bought Les out seven years ago. He still works in the greenhouse during the busy times.
Q. Over the last 40 years, many greenhouses and flower shops have gone under. Why?
A. There was the intense pressure from the box stores, no doubt about that being a factor. Also, many of the older operators refused to adapt. Times change and you have to change with them. I learned
38 | AUGUST 2020 | LANDSCAPE TRADES
A. I have a good crew. I look first for a strong work ethic. Someone with the proper attitude can be trained. They can be taught skills. I also look for staff who understand the nature of the business, including long hours during shipping season. They need to give their all during the busy times.
Q. Was this best spring ever?
A. This is a great busines to be in. I can call any greenhouse and we can share our experiences. Also, when I meet with my independent customers, I am always struck with how incredibly nice most greenhouse people really are. It a blessing to be a part of this trade. LT
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