Windsor Business February 2024 Issue

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5 HE SAID/SHE SAID: The news and views of area executives on pertinent business issues of the day.

12 CORPORATISM: Jim Blasingame says small business owners must feed their spirit to starve the alligators.

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FEBRUARY 2024

W I N D S O R ’ S F O R E M O S T B U S I N E S S N E W S P U B L I C AT I O N PHOTO BY JOE SYMCHYSHYN SYMCHYSHYN PHOTOGRAPHIC

INSIDE TRACK

Local investor, Zane Hengsperger, envisions a multi-storied office and residential complex for the Walkerville area. By Ron Stang

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2

AT A GLANCE A look at how Canadians view rising interest rates and their plans for 2024.

8

PRIME HOME A look at recent residential property sales in the city of Windsor.

2

CROSSWORD Take a coffee break from work and challenge yourself with our crossword.

10 BUILDING PERMITS A compilation of construction activity in the Windsor and area market.

3

ESSEX ECONOMICS A series of guest columns by business executives on various trends in the region.

10 START UPS Newly incorporated firms launched in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.

6

PRIME PROPERTY A look at recent commercial property transfers in the city of Windsor.

11 WORLD OF WORK A career advice column by two workplace consultants and career coaches.

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major office and condo complex could be coming to Walkerville in the near future. The new owners of 1880 Assumption Street, a 1940s-era brick building that houses two businesses, are mulling plans for what could be a tower of several stories that would lure tech-oriented companies to the site. The plan is also to provide homes for a burgeoning Walkerville population that likes the district’s cool vibes.

It's the brainchild of Radical Capital Management and the Hengsperger family. Father Steve is president, and the founder of Tersano. Tersano is a worldwide company based in Windsor that offers sustainable cleaning solutions for home and business without harsh chemicals. It uses ozone technology.

The Hengspergers also own Radical Capital Management Inc., a private investment firm now accumulating real estate and buying strategic properties.

Continued on page 4

AT A GLANCE A LOOK AT HOW CANADIANS VIEW RISING INTEREST RATES AND THEIR PLANS TO HANDLE INFLATION IN 2024.

JUST THE FACTS: • A recent survey of 2,000 Canadians across all age groups across the country found rising interest rates continues to concern.

• Approximately 63 percent of Canadians are concerned about their ability to repay their debts, and 84 percent said they will be careful with spending in 2024.

• In the past year, 26 percent only paid the minimum toward their credit card balance, and 22 percent went into further debt.

• Those in the Atlantic provinces and Alberta were more likely to have gone further into credit card debt.

• To deal with the high cost of living due to inflation, many Canadians plant to cut spending, shop sales and delay discretionary purchases.

1.

Looking back and looking ahead:

DID IN 2023 46% 57%

53%

Cutting back on dining out

27% 28%

25% 28% 18%

Cutting back on international travel Cutting back on domestic travel

13% 14% 53%

More carpooling/fewer car trips Cutting back on kids organized sports

5% 48%

Looking at flyers for sales

32% 29%

33% 29%

Using a couponing/sale app to save Eating less meat

15% 33%

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WINDSOR BUSINESS

45%

Cutting back on entertainment

Source: Ipsos, January 2024.

2

WILL DO IN 2024

Pausing on saving for retirement Buying fewer fresh fruits/vegetables

ACROSS 1 Svelte 5 La – Tar Pits 9 Sri – 14 Wild cat 15 Galley movers 16 Walking – – 17 Fill up again 19 Biscotto flavor 20 Birthday count 21 Superlative ending 22 Tyrolean tunes 24 Allow 27 King 28 Seneca’s twelve 29 Omaha’s state 34 Standing wide open 37 “Star Wars” knight 38 Coach’s responsibility 39 Burger mate 40 Ceiling 41 Wild about 42 Diving bird 43 “I cannot tell – – ” 44 Lugs along 45 Totally inadequate 47 Outlaw 48 Groom’s reply (2 wds.)

54 Romp 57 Dined on 58 Canadian prov.

59 Prankster 60 Going over again

63 Mr. Zola 64 Metallic element 65 Move very slowly 66 Obie relatives 67 Mice, to cats 68 Come together DOWN: 1 Bristling 2 “Hasta –!”

3 Oblige 4 “Bien” opposite 5 Miniature maple, e.g.

6 Singer Bonnie – 7 Hesitant sounds 8 Wan 9 Stevedore 10 Supplements 11 Hammer’s target 12 Chocolate candy 13 Have existence 18 A bit creepy 23 Circle the Earth 25 In a cordial manner

16% 27%

26 Bad guys 30 Jean Stein bestseller 31 Thrilled 32 Klondike – 33 Cookie man 34 Freedom org.

35 Thug 36 Matty or Felipe 37 Tumbler of rhyme 40 Toll 44 Uses a camcorder 46 Lights incense to 47 Plant science 50 Skiing mecca 51 Conjecture 52 Field enclosure 53 Brawl 54 Lake in Lombardy 55 Related 56 Stumble 59 Fast plane 61 Do incorrectly 62 That fellow

January 2024 solution

Email info@ windsorbusiness.net for this issue’s crossword answers

CARTOON

THE EDITOR’S DESK NADIA H. SHOUSHER

CARTOON BY PAUL MARCH

Recognize disrespect when selling

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THIS IS JUST “CUSTOMS.” I THINK WHAT YOU WANT IS “BIZZARE CUSTOMS,” WHICH IS THAT WAY.

BUSINESS BOOST “An extremely useful step in leadership development is seeing ourselves as others see us. So we need to understand their perceptions of our behavior.

“My effectiveness in leading, relating to or working with others is highly dependent on their perceptions of me. I may not agree with what they see, but their perception is my reality. Those around me have an opinion of who they think the real me is. Their perceived ‘truth’ becomes the way they treat me. Their perception forms their part of the reality of our relationship.

“In working with individuals, teams and organizations to improve their effectiveness, I’ve often found the subject of perceptions to be the most problematic. For example, we tend to define levels of service or quality through our own eyes and values. But that may not be the way our customers or partners define it. There is no objective definition. There is only the reality that I see, you see, he sees or she sees.”

Jim Clemmer in Growing the Distance, TCG Press.

W I N D S O R ’ S F O R E M O S T B U S I N E S S N E W S P U B L I C AT I O N

VOLUME 29, ISSUE 9 • FEBRUARY 2024 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Nadia H. Shousher

ART DIRECTOR

David Cowx

CONTRIBUTORS

Jim Blasingame, Dale Dauten, Rodney L. Denis, Paul March, Devan Mighton, J.T. O’Donnell, Ron Stang, Joe Symchyshyn

Windsor Business is published monthly by The Page Publishing Corp. and is distributed through Canada Post to every business address in Windsor and Essex County and Chatham-Kent. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher. Copyright The Page Publishing Corp., 2024.

THE PAGE PUBLISHING CORP. 552 PITT STREET WEST, SUITE 101 WINDSOR, ONTARIO N9A 5M2 TEL: (519) 255-9775 info@windsorbusiness.net • www.windsorbusiness.net

bunch of us were comparing notes on the signs of disrespect one often experiences in sales. Our coffee klatch could have been entitled: How do I diss thee? Let me count the ways.

One guy drove for two hours for a meeting his prospective client insisted on holding on that specific date and time. Yet, the client had left the building minutes before. While the rep was driving back to the office, the prospect was brazen enough to call and ask why the rep didn’t wait! After all, he only “stepped out for a few minutes!” (I would not define an hour as “a few minutes,” but I digress …)

Another rep added up how much gas, time and effort he wasted on a prospect who, after making the rep jump through hoops, took his business elsewhere.

A third had all of us groaning in sympathy with her sorry saga. She said the prospect kept haggling over price, although she had already offered it at the wholesale rate. (And, by the way, got reprimanded by her manager for allowing the guy to so take advantage of her effort to close the deal.) When the prospect continued to demand an even better price, she walked away (insulted, and rightly so). What’s worse, though, is the thwarted client called her boss to tattle, and she was reprimanded again!

Apparently, management actually wanted the deal at any cost, and the rep was the scapegoat convenient enough to get it.

It begs the question: in trying to snag an account, what are the limits of effort one should be willing to make? How much does one owe a prospective client in service, incentive and/or price? Should the extent of effort expended be reciprocated by the client in terms of the dollar value of the deal, the longevity of the relationship, or the amount of appreciation?

Some of these stories are chuckle-worthy, yes, until I remember how many times I’ve been trapped on the phone with a telemarketer. I wonder if the values of time – and its wasting – are merely subjective. The telemarketer is doing his or her job and I’m sure it’s not a fun one (who would enjoy getting cursed and hung up on 100 times a day?). Yet, I didn’t seek the solicitation, so believe I should have some say in whether part of my workday will be wasted in this manner, and by how much.

We must learn how to read the signs of a time waster, and set our sights elsewhere. At some point it is no longer business, but a game. And I have no patience for that.

Nadia H. Shousher is Editor-in-Chief of Windsor Business, a division of The Page Publishing Corp.

ESSEX ECONOMICS JOE McCORMACK

Give true quiet a chance in 2024

T

he new year is underway yet, sadly, your job is still making you miserable. You’re stressed, burned out and overwhelmed. The worst part is, you’re not exactly sure why you feel this way. Are you in the wrong position? The wrong company? The wrong field? The problem is you collaborate, communicate and consume far too much noise.

We’ve been conditioned to believe the hurricane of noise we are plunged into at the office is ‘normal,’ but it’s not. From literal noise in the form of digital distractions and disruptive coworkers, to an overabundance of information and thoughtless communication, professionals are set up to fail. We are left starving for quiet – the quiet that allows us to work strategically and intentionally do what’s most essential for all professionals: think.

This is why most people would be well served to make their New Year’s resolution be to infuse quiet into daily work life. Quiet doesn’t mean the literal absence of sound. Rather, it’s about setting aside time each day to focus, plan, do deep work and make smart decisions.

When quiet is part of your daily routine, creativity blossoms and your relationships grow. Here are some tips to try: • Don’t wait for permission to collaborate less. An often-effective approach is to act like you’ve been given permission, and wait to see if anyone challenges you. If they do, talk to them about your need for quiet.

They will have a change of heart when they see the results for themselves.

• Get quiet on your calendar. If you don’t book it, you won’t do it. Treat your quiet time just like you would any other professional appointment. Schedule at least small blocks of time before and after each meeting to organize your thoughts and prepare.

• Protect your quiet space. You may or may not have an office with a door, but you can still designate a specific area as your own quiet workplace. Put up a sign that reads “do not disturb” and ask people not to communicate with you. You could also wear noise-canceling headphones, or find an unoccupied office for some uninterrupted work. If you’re working remotely, simply turn off notifications and get offline.

• Keep quiet time simple. The main goal of quiet is to simply do one thing at a time. Just because our minds can do many things at once, doesn’t mean we should operate in this state.

• Take “Tech Timeouts.” Most of us are tethered to technology all day, and this overreliance sets us up for abundant distractions and disruptions. Simply hit mute on your devices, then physically separate yourself from them. You might find you don’t need screens to do your best work!

Be a quiet ambassador this year by sharing the benefits you experience. This may shift the workplace culture and help your coworkers become productive and efficient in the process.

Joe McCormack is an entrepreneur, marketing executive and author. Visit josephmccormack.com.

FEBRUARY 2024

3

DEVELOPMENT

COVER

BY RON STANG

BY RON STANG

Area developer hoping NextStar Walkerville investor attracts more suppliers to Maidstone plans mixed use complex

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ocal developer Terry Aldea has purchased a modern 17,000-square-foot industrial warehouse on 8th Concession in Maidstone, “ideal” for a Tier 2 or 3 automotive supplier.

“That building works perfectly in our portfolio of industrial properties that we own,” he said.

Aldea was the third buyer for the 2003 vintage property, a handsome black window wall with 4,000 square feet of offices and truck bays alongside.

“It’s a really sexy building,” Aldea said. “It’s got all glass on the front. It was originally for an automotive supplier from Japan and they lost the contract to an OEM. I’m the third sale.”

The building was made vacant several months ago. Another company’s long-term lease had expired and the owner, an Edmonton-based investor, decided to sell.

Aldea said buyer or tenant interest is good now after a couple of “pauses” last year due to the threatened government funding of the NextStar Energy EV battery plant.

It brought construction to a temporary halt for several weeks. There was also the UAW strike in the U.S. and threatened Unifor job action in Canada.

“The phone calls went kind of dry for those two periods of time,” Aldea said. “So now we’re getting interest for lease or for sale. And there have been a couple of Korean companies that are interested in it.”

Meanwhile, ServeOne, a Tier 1 auto supplier, has moved into Phase 3, a 50,000-square-foot building that is part of Aldea’s Eco Developments’ 90,000-square-foot complex on Outer Drive. It will be supplying maintenance materials and some production parts for the NextStar battery assemblies.

In unrelated business transactions, Toronto-based Berkshire Care Centre, which operates the nursing home on Dougall in downtown Windsor, has purchased unspecified property on Tecumseh Road East for $2.5 million.

A company rep said Berkshire is “still in the planning stages and there really are no other details available.” The seller was THMC Windsor Inc., which operates the Windsor Medical Centre at Tecumseh East and Howard Avenue.

Meanwhile the Burger King property on Tecumseh East near Lauzon Road has changed hands.

N & D Supermarket Ltd., a longtime Windsor-based grocery chain which closed many years ago, was still the owner. Eddy Daraiche, of Daraiche Produce in Leamington, purchased it for future redevelopment. There is still a long-term WB lease with Burger King.

whoisoscarbravo.com

Continued from page 1 The Assumption property was sold in December to Radical for $3.36 million by Richmond Hillbased Spida Havilah Inc., a home and office renovation company. A partner, who declined to be identified, said his company acquired the Assumption property around 2014. “I fulfilled a dream, and then it was time to move on,” he said.

THERE’S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO RESTAURANTS, KEEP THE OFFICE SPACE AND DO CONDOS ON TOP, JUST TO SUPPORT A DENSER LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN WALKERVILLE.

Radical’s corporate development officer, Zane Hengsperger, son of Steve, said his family firm wanted to buy into Walkerville because the neighborhood continues to be a desirable business and residential hub.

“Radical is a private investment firm looking to develop cool opportunities that help our community,” Zane said. “So, when 1880 came up for sale, we took a look. We like the Walkerville area, and liked the Plan the city put out on the area, as well.”

The Plan is the Walkerville Theming and Districting Plan,

unveiled last spring, which is a blueprint for tying together and projecting a vision for the historic district. It is “an opportunity to imagine the future Walkerville as a unique community destination that celebrates its past and embraces its future.” This would be done by employing a “mix of uses in reimagined and new contextually appropriate buildings.”

That dovetails exactly with what Radical has in mind.

Zane said Radical attended a District planning meeting and has spoken with city officials and residents. “I think there are a lot of opportunities on this property,” he said.

It could mean a combo of offices and condos, combining the existing legacy building with a tower, which could be more than or fewer than five stories.

“There’s an opportunity to do restaurants, keep the office space and do condos on top, just to support a denser living environment in Walkerville,” he said. “As we talk to more people, we thought the idea of a high-rise is something that could benefit the town,” he said.

For now, Radical is looking to lease two empty units in the existing building. “We’re trying to keep historic parts of the building and make it more user-friendly for a tech environment,” he said.

The two current tenants, which are staying put, have been there for several years.

WB

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WINDSOR BUSINESS

HE SAID/SHE SAID NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AREA EXECUTIVES: QUESTION: Did your company do something special for its employees for the holidays?

“We cleared out our showroom and then set up a few fun-filled games around our Christmas tree: axe throwing, corn hole and nail hammering. We had lots of fun!

The tree was surrounded by gifts the staff donated to the Downtown Mission.”

Drew Soltes, Fleet Sales Manager, Provincial Chrysler.

“Our team celebrated by enjoying a delicious meal together at a local restaurant, and took some additional time off to spend with friends and family. Our office was decorated for the holidays, and some team members volunteered in the community as a way to give back.”

Jennifer Charron, President, Logic Executive Search.

“Our tradition is to close the office early on Christmas Eve and letting the staff leave at 3 p.m. We also have a Christmas party at a local golf clubhouse with appetizers, and give Christmas bonuses to all of our staff.”

Wally Romansky, General Manager, MicroAge Chatham.

“We enjoyed a nice meal, dancing and a Mentalist who performed some illusions for us. We also had gifts for the kids and each family was gifted a turkey, ham or fruit basket. Truly grateful to the owners, who prioritize making the holidays special for us.”

“Frank Binder (our founder and Broker of Record) does several events for the 195-plus staff of all of our locations. One is the group holiday lunch at Essex Golf and Country Club, and special lunches at each office location as added festivities.”

Andrew Kilpatrick, GM, Ventri Door Technologies, an Ardent Company.

Michael Di Meo, Sales Representative, Royal LePage Binder Real Estate Brokerage.

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LIFTING THE FUTURE QUALITY

RELIABILITY

STRENGTH

7620 Seventh Line W., Chatham ON Tel: 519-351-9501 Toll Free: 1.844.938.4826 FEBRUARY 2024

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PRIME PROPERTY THE FOLLOWING, PROVIDED BY REALTRACK.COM, REPRESENT SOME OF THE TOP COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRANSFERS IN THE WINDSOR AREA:

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Address: 558 Partington Ave. Selling Price: $1.2 million Vendor: 11192221 Canada Inc. Purchaser: 1000510490 Ontario Inc.

Address: 1585 Wyandotte St. E. Selling Price: $1.375 million Vendor: 192423 Ontario Inc. Purchaser: 1000748121 Ontario Ltd.

Address: 1880 Assumption St. Selling Price: $3.365 million Vendor: Spida Havilah Inc. Purchaser: Radical Capital Management Inc.

Address: 7955 Tecumseh Rd. E. Selling Price: $2.175 million Vendor: N & D Supermarket Ltd. Purchaser: 1786711 Ontario Inc.

SOLD SOLD Address: 2280 Ambassador Dr. Selling Price: $1.4 million Vendor: Jace Holdings Inc. Purchaser: PCKA Holdings Inc.

Address: 223-233 & 241 Wyandotte St. E. Selling Price: $1.15 million Vendor: 2611332 Ontario Inc. Purchaser: Metro City Realty Inc.

SOLD

SOLD

Address: 1400-1430 Seneca St. Selling Price: $1.1 million Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: 1000510490 Ontario Inc.

Address: 3565 Forest Glade Dr. Selling Price: $3.625 million Vendor: FG Residences Inc. Purchaser: 1339408 Ontario Inc.

Contact Tony Rosati or David Mady

519.734.6511

NOW LEASING 35,000 – 150,000 SF

30 Loading Docks • ESFR Sprinklers • 60’ x 65’ bays • MD 1.7 Zoning •

2820 DODGE DRIVE ROSATIGROUP.COM

6

5901 Rosati - Windsor Business Ad.indd 1

WINDSOR BUSINESS

2024-01-24 5:16 PM

PRIME PROPERTY THE FOLLOWING, PROVIDED BY REALTRACK.COM, REPRESENT SOME OF THE TOP COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRANSFERS IN THE ESSEX & CHATHAM-KENT AREAS:

SOLD

SOLD

Address: 5 Renaud St., Amherstburg Selling Price: $2.3 million Vendor: JFA Speedworks Inc. Purchaser: 2731262 Ontario Ltd.

Address: 5725 Outer Dr., Tecumseh Selling Price: $1.8 million Vendor: Jasel Holdings Inc. Purchaser: Brandt Properties Ltd.

SOLD

SOLD

Address: Conc. 3, Part Lots 1 & 2, Chatham-Kent Selling Price: $1.3 million Vendor: Barrette Farms Ltd. Purchaser: MCB Farms Ltd.

Address: 6148 Queens Line, Chatham-Kent Selling Price: $1.525 million Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: 2769994 Ontario Ltd.

CHATHAM-KENT

• WHEATLEY

SOLD Address: Conc. 2, Part Lot 23, Amherstburg Selling Price: $2.6 million Vendor: 2047909 Ontario Ltd. Purchaser: Petcon Realty GP Inc.

2720 ST. ETIENNE

APPROX 5,495 SF UNIT LIGHT INDUSTRIAL/WAREHOUSE SPACE. NEW GRADE-LEVEL OVERHEAD DOOR. NICE & CLEAN, LOCATED W/EASY ACCESS TO E.C. ROW & HIGHWAY 401.

CONTACT TAMMY WILLIAMS.

SOLD

SOLD Address: V/L Smith Industrial Dr., Amherstburg Selling Price: $5.73 million Vendor: Santerra Stonecraft Inc. Purchaser: Terra Land Inc.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

FOR SALE IN THE HEART OF OLDE RIVERSIDE. APPROX 6,750 SF, TENANTED BY TWO ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES. PARKING ON-SITE FOR 40 CARS. ATTRACTIVE, LOW MAINTENANCE BUILDING. CALL TAMMY WILLIAMS FOR INFO.

Address: 8164 Ninth Line, Chatham-Kent Selling Price: $1.416 million Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: Jim Watson Equipment Ltd.

SOLD Address: 22318 & 22324 Charing Cross Rd., Chatham-Kent Selling Price: $1.6 million Vendor: 2275757 Ontario Inc. Purchaser: 1000664870 Ontario Inc.

350 ERIE ST. E.

2340 OLYMPIA DR.

RESTAURANT OPPORTUNITY

FOR LEASE. THIS 2,862 SF PROPERTY WAS BUILT IN 1956

BY WINDSOR UTILITIES COMMISSION. OUTFITTED FOR ONE OCCUPANT, BUT CAN BE SUBDIVIDED FOR TWO. PERFECT FOR RETAIL OR OFFICE USE. BRAND NEW HVAC SYSTEM. PARKING FOR 40 CARS ONSITE. CALL TAMMY WILLIAMS.

FOR LEASE. INDUSTRIAL BUILDING LOCATED IN HEART OF OLDCASTLE. TOTAL OF 18,179 SF COMPLETE W/OFFICES, W/2 ADDITIONAL MEZZANINES WITHIN SHOP AREA (TOTAL 1,800 ADDITIONAL SF). CEILING HEIGHT UP TO 21’.

10-TON DEMAG CRANE W/CLEARANCE HEIGHT OF 17’.

ESTABLISHED IN 1980, THE LUMBERJACK ON HOWARD & TECUMSEH RD HAS SUCCESSFULLY SERVED GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES IN WINDSOR-ESSEX FOR 43+ YEARS. OWNERS RETIRING, WILLING TO TRAIN NEW OWNERS. CALL TAMMY WILLIAMS FOR INFO.

400 ERIE ST. E.

1840 BLACKACRE DR.

355 CABANA RD. E.

COMMERCIAL CONDO

FOR LEASE: TWO UNITS AVAILABLE: 3,091 SF AND 1,614 SF OF WAREHOUSE/SHOP SPACE WITH 14-FOOT CLEAR CEILING HEIGHT + OVERHEAD DOOR. CALL TAMMY WILLIAMS FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO VIEW.

FOR LEASE. TO BE BUILT IN OLDCASTLE. PERMIT IS READY, SO BUILD TIME WOULD BE APPROX 6 MONTHS. 13,340 SF SHOP + 2,600 SF OFFICE SPACE TOTALING 15,940 SF. CLEAR CEILING HEIGHT IS 30'. BUILDING WILL BE CONSTRUCTED AS "CRANE-READY."

FOR SALE. HIGHLY PROFITABLE AUTO SERVICE GARAGE, SITTING ON COMMERCIALLY ZONED CD2.1 LAND. SALE IS FOR ALL REAL ESTATE + BUSINESS. CALL DAN MCCULLOCH AT (519) 818-2700 FOR DETAILS.

FOR SALE. LE GOYEAU OVERLOOKING THE DETROIT RIVER & SKYLINE. LARGE UNIT AT 1,150+ SF W/2 BEDS,1.5 BATHS. UNIQUE CD3.1 ZONING ALLOWS FOR BOTH COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL. MINUTES FROM THE COURTHOUSE, IDEAL FOR A LAW OFFICE. CLOSE FOR EASY CROSS-BORDER COMMUTE.

FEBRUARY 2024

7

PRIME HOME SALES THE FOLLOWING REPRESENT SOME RECENT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SALES IN THE ESSEX COUNTY/CHATHAM-KENT AREA:

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Where: 926 Partington Property Size: 40’x 118’ # Bedrooms: 2 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $1,648 Listed For: $269,000 Sold For: $230,000

Where: 1069 Tuscarora St. Property Size: 27’ x n/a # Bedrooms: 4 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $1,629 Listed For: $299,900 Sold For: $299,900

Where: 1125 St. Louis Property Size: 40’ x 88’ # Bedrooms: 2 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $2,230 Listed For: $324,900 Sold For: $370,000

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Where: 794 Vimy Ave. Property Size: 46’ x 100’ # Bedrooms: 2 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $1,100 Listed For: $359,000 Sold For: $337,700

Where: 580 Hanley Cr. Property Size: 75’ x 131’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $4,480 Listed For: $569,900 Sold For: $550,000

Where: 2380 Turner Rd. Property Size: 60’ x 110’ # Bedrooms: 5 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $2,831 Listed For: $349,900 Sold For: $400,000

Where: 1826 Central Ave. Property Size: 40’ x 96’ # Bedrooms: 4 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $2,928 Listed For: $348,900 Sold For: $344,000

Where: 1592 Prince Rd. Property Size: 40’ x n/a # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $1,745 Listed For: $299,900 Sold For: $358,000

8

WINDSOR BUSINESS

PRIME HOME SALES THE FOLLOWING REPRESENT SOME RECENT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SALES IN THE ESSEX COUNTY/CHATHAM-KENT AREA:

SOLD Where: 660 Laurier Dr., LaSalle Size: 90’ x 123’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $2,921 Listed For: $399,000 Sold For: $425,000

SOLD Where: 451 Marla Cr., Lakeshore Size: 50’ x 135’ # Bedrooms: 4 # Bathrooms: 3 Taxes: $2,916 Listed For: $599,900 Sold For: $599,000

SOLD

SOLD

Where: 1031 Sycamore Ave., Kingsville Property Size: 79’ x irr. # Bedrooms: 2 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $1,800 Listed For: $224,900 Sold For: $220,000

Where: 213 Adelaide St. S., Chatham Property Size: 29’ x irr. # Bedrooms: 2 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $1,273 Listed For: $249,900 Sold For: $225,000

CHATHAM-KENT

• WHEATLEY

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Where: 275 Texas Rd., Amherstburg Property Size: 72’ x 200’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $3,453 Listed For: $599,275 Sold For: $600,000

Where: 145 County Rd. 50, Harrow Property Size: 82’ x irr. # Bedrooms: 4 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $2,600 Listed For: $399,000 Sold For: $399,000

Where: 302 Lakeview Ave., Kingsville Property Size: 102’ x 154’ # Bedrooms: 5 # Bathrooms: 3 Taxes: $5,241 Listed For: $949,900 Sold For: $900,000

Where: 11 Westmoreland Ave., Leamington Property Size: 50’ x 121’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $2,400 Listed For: $329,900 Sold For: $340,000

Quality. Experience. Style.

Scott Martindale - 3rd Generation

2895 Kew Drive, Windsor | 519-944-8111 | 1-800-298-0832 | martindalewindow.com

FEBRUARY 2024

9

BUILDING PERMITS

START UPS

THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTS RECENT CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY IN ESSEX COUNTY AND CHATHAM-KENT:

THE FOLLOWING WINDSOR, ESSEX COUNTY AND CHATHAM-KENT COMPANIES WERE RECENTLY ISSUED CERTIFICATES OF INCORPORATION UNDER ONTARIO’S BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT: • A&B Jandu Construction Ltd. • Allied White Knights Studios Inc. • Allsop Farm Inc. • AUM Dougall Inc. • Backpack Media Corp.

• Barrie Lasik Centre Inc. • Brady's Fitness Center Inc. • Cam Construction & More Inc. • Central Floor Solutions Inc. • Central Shawarma Inc. • Cleanless Spark Cleaning Inc. • Conquer Electric Inc. • Dani Hassoun Realty Ltd. • Dean Construction Co. Ltd. • Desi Swag Indian Street Food • Dhaliwal Alliance Inc. • Discover Electric Inc. • Dynamic Tooling Solutions • Elia's Service Center Inc. • Gold B&J Market Inc. • Greenwood Construction & Renovations Inc. • Harvco Construction Inc. • Higher Automation Ltd. • Influence Creative Studios Inc. • Intrigue Marketing Solutions Inc.

• JCAIR Construction Inc. • JH Business Solutions Professional Corp.

• Jones Group Construction Ltd. • K.H Data Consulting Inc. • Kairon Construction Ltd. • K-Cook Foods Inc. • KPS Capital Ventures Ltd. • Lakeshore Sports Excellence Hall of Fame • Lead 360 Marketing Ltd. • Learn N' Play City Centre Daycare Inc. • Liquid Bookworks Ltd. • Maple Creek Logistics Inc. • Prestige Vision Automation • Rattan Truck & Trailer Repairs • RCC Bookkeeping Inc. • Tandoori Treat Inc. • TND Cleaning Inc. • Ultratech Duct Cleaning Inc. • Vendease Essex County Ltd. • Vidal Contracting Services Inc. • Wader Likes Media Inc. • Win Auto Service & Sales Inc. • Windsor Event Centre Inc. • Windsor Police Senior Officers Association (WPSOA) WB

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MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT COMMERCIAL: • Individuals are building a barn on an agricultural property on Duart Rd. Value of construction: $550,000.

• Allgood Construction is erecting an agricultural building on Mint Line. Value of construction: $400,000.

MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT RESIDENTIAL: • Individuals are building an addition to a single-family home on Aberdeen St. Value of construction: $70,000.

• Individuals are renovating a single-family residence on Richard St. Value of construction: $50,000.

• Individuals are building an addition to a single-family home on McNaughton Ave. E. Value of construction: $200,000.

• Tom’s Building & Remodelling is building a new single-family home on Vidler Ave. Value of construction: $275,000.

• Individuals are converting a single-family home to a multi-unit residence on St. Michael Ave. Value of construction: $70,000.

• Sunbuilt Custom Homes is building a new single-family dwelling on Cherry Blossom Trail. Value of construction: $450,000.

• Individuals are building an addition to a single-family home on Morris Line. Value of construction: $75,000.

• Multi Construction is erecting a new single-family home on Bloomington Way. Value of construction: $450,000.

TOWN OF ESSEX COMMERCIAL: • 2442747 Ontario Ltd. is building a pole barn on S. Malden

Rd. Value of construction: $180,000.

TOWN OF ESSEX RESIDENTIAL: • Boudreau Construction Contracting is building a breezeway on 4th Concession. Value of construction: $120,000.

• Individuals are building a single-family dwelling on 5th Concession. Value of construction: $1.5 million.

TOWN OF KINGSVILLE COMMERCIAL: • Barrineti Construction Ltd. is building an addition to an industrial building on Setterington Dr. Value of construction: $50,000.

• A contractor is plumbing alterations on Main St. E. Value of construction: $100,000.

TOWN OF KINGSVILLE RESIDENTIAL: • A contractor is doing renovations to a single-family residence on Main St. W. Value of construction: $38,000.

• A contractor is building an addition to a single-family dwelling on Erie Ave. Value of construction: $110,000.

• A contractor is building an accessory structure on a residential property on Road 10.

Value of construction: $606,055.

TOWN OF LASALLE RESIDENTIAL: • Individuals are building a detached garage with Accessory Dwelling Unit on Lafferty Ave. Value of construction: $256,828.

• Individuals are building a detached garage on Mont-

gomery Dr. Value of construction: $190,000. Value of construction: $788,700.

• Sunbuilt Custom Homes Ltd. is building a single-family residence on Martin Lane.

• Lapico Custom Homes is building two units of a semidetached residence on Valerio Cr. Values of construction: $700,000 each.

MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON COMMERCIAL: • Individuals are renovating a restaurant on Talbot St. E. Value of construction: $50,000.

• Individuals are renovating an industrial building on Talbot St. W. Value of construction: $1.4 million.

MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON RESIDENTIAL: • Individuals are renovating a single-family residence on Sherwood Ave. Value of construction: $20,000.

• Individuals are building an Accessory Dwelling Unit on Talbot St. W. Value of construction: $150,000.

• Individuals are renovating a single-family residence on Camelot Ave. Value of construction: $150,000.

• Individuals are building a single-family home on Desert Springs Cr. Value of construction: $300,000.

• Individuals are building a single-family home on Desert Springs Cr. Value of construction: $1.7 million.

• Individuals are building a semidetached dwelling on Destiny Dr. Value of construction: $600,000.

• Individuals are building are replacing a sewer system on Mersea Rd. 4. Value of construction: $100,000.

WB

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10

WINDSOR BUSINESS

THE WORLD OF WORK

LAND

BY JEANINE “J.T.” O’DONNELL AND DALE DAUTEN

BY RON STANG

Pulling together our best advice from recent years JT: It’s time to pull together our best advice from recent years.

DALE: And, once again, with those highlights goes this wish: May 2024 be your best year yet.

On being a veteran it employee and applying to work with younger coworkers: In the interview, just say, “I want you to know that I love working around younger people — that’s one of the reasons I’ve stayed in IT. I love the work and the people. And I stay up-to-date.” Then you talk about how you keep current and ask the interviewers how they stay current. Asking is respecting, and that’s the biggest question about older employees — will you be a pontificating blowhard or will you be a curious, continual learner? You must show them which you are.

On accepting a new job and having your current employer want to make a counter-offer: Multiple studies show if you negotiate with your current employer to stay, the likelihood is you’ll be let go within 18 months. Once they know you wanted to leave and they can only keep you by raising your pay, they feel held hostage. This usually leads to your eventual departure. So, tell them you are honored they want to counter, but you really feel the new opportunity is going to help you grow.

And, if anything, it might better prepare you to return to your current employer some day with new skills. This is the smartest way to leave on good terms.

On learning your company is making everyone reapply for their jobs and wondering if you should just find a new one: Yes, start a search, but reapply to your job so you stay working. It’s

Strategic Chatham-Kent properties recently sold

not as much of a job seekers’ market as people think. Yes, there are a lot of jobs out there, and 40 million people quit jobs after the pandemic year, but those were mostly jobs they didn’t like. The really good jobs are highly competitive. That’s why I would try to secure this position while you see if there’s something better.

don’t have to be perfect. If you’re a company sorting thousands of online applications, you’re going to throw out everyone who doesn’t match every little spec in the job posting, the old round hole/round peg. But, when you’re a hiring manager meeting with a referral, making a human connection, the hole can get more flexible and may just be made to fit the peg.

On writing a resume to get back into a field you left 20 years ago:

On being furious when finding out new hires are making more than you:

It’s true that most recruiters don’t want to see work experience that’s over 20 years old. That’s because it’s hard for them to believe the experience is still relevant. So, don’t list it in your work history section. Instead, put it in an Additional Experience section at the bottom of the resume and skip dates of employment. Then, focus on writing a cover letter that explains why you want to get back into the profession.

On getting a better job offer two weeks after starting a new job: You have to think about the long game. You know what hurts your career? Picking the wrong employer. What won’t hurt your career? Leaving an organization after a couple of weeks. So, the real issue here is figuring out which company is going to lift you over the next few years.

On being frustrated with online applications and asking “how are people getting hired?”

One study says 60% of people found their jobs via networking and another puts the number at 85%. Whatever the exact stat, getting referred via networking is clearly the most common method. While it makes sense companies prefer hiring via referral, it also has one giant advantage to the applicant: You

Let that resentment go. The company didn’t wrong you. No, they just hired you in a different job market, before wages had risen.

It would have been great if management preemptively moved you up, but go to them – calmly — and give them a chance to correct that oversight.

On getting a job offer and thinking of telling them you’re waiting to hear about an offer from another, better company: Do not tell them you are waiting for another job offer — that will just lead to them rescinding the offer. They want to be your first choice and hearing they are merely a back-up implies to them you could take the job only to leave them shortly after. Instead, accept the job and continue to interview with the other company. If you do get offered the job you really want, you can back out of the current opportunity, and you don’t risk ending up with neither job.

WB

T

wo large or strategic swathes of commercial property in Chatham-Kent have changed hands.

The largest, at just over 24 acres, is on Solvay Drive on the outskirts of the Town of Blenheim. It sold in October for $1 million.

The seller was an Ontario numbered company at the same address as Kent Farm Supplies, also of Blenheim. Kent Farm Supplies is an agricultural vehicle and parts supplier, and is owned by the LeGros family.

When contacted by Windsor Business magazine, a receptionist there said a manager was “not interested in conducting an interview at this time.”

THE PROPERTY AT ONE TIME WAS THE HOME OF SUPERIOR MACHINE TOOL, WHICH CLOSED IN 2006. THE PLANT WAS THEN DEMOLISHED AND THE LAND SAT VACANT SINCE 2008.

Nor was the buyer, Michael Crow Sr. of Springfield Building Components Ltd. of Springfield, ON, southeast of London. The business also has the Rona hardware store franchise in the community.

Asked if Springfield was opening a second store at the

Blenheim site, Crow replied, “At this time we have no comment on our plans.”

Springfield has been in business since 1976 and specializes in roof trusses.

In 2019 a Rona corporate press release welcomed Crow’s affiliation to the national hardware store banner with his Springfield and Rodney outlets. The conversion was a $250,000-investment.

Meanwhile, in the center of the City of Chatham, Honey Electric Holdings Ltd. has purchased almost 2.5 acres at 277 William St. S. for just over $1 million.

The property at one time was the home of Superior Machine Tool, which closed in 2006. The plant was then demolished and the land sat vacant since 2008. A realtor’s notice described it as “rare, large vacant land at downtown corner location.”

Honey Electric, a family business since 1976, has branches in Chatham and Staples ON. It specializes in electrical installation, including fire alarms, for commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional and residential customers. The company principal is Rick Ovens. The company did not respond to requests for comments.

A representative for the seller, a numbered company which also owns auto servicing businesses in Chatham-Kent, also declined comment.

WB

*** Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a career coach and the founder of workitdaily.com. Dale Dauten is the founder of The Innovators’ Lab, a business consultant and author. To send questions, visit questions to jtanddale.com.

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11

CORPORATISM

BY JIM BLASINGAME

Owners must feed their spirit to starve the alligators

S

mall business owners know all about that metaphorical business reptile – the ubiquitous alligator. They slither in from everywhere, continuously chomping holes in your business, tearing apart projects, taking a bite out of performance and eating away at momentum.

We know three things about these caustic crocodilians: 1) every small business has them; 2) they don’t go away on their own; 3) besides the operational intru-

sion, they take an emotional toll.

And as good as we may get at minimizing the business damage alligators can cause, we’re too often not as good at dealing with that emotional thing.

As the CEO of your business, if your enterprise is to survive, let alone flourish, you have to deal with each alligator that pops up.

To paraphrase Rudyard Kipling, your business’s sustainability and organizational effectiveness depend on the ability to keep your

head when all around, hungry alligators are trying to take it off.

To keep your head and at least stay even with the alligators, you must do three things. The first two we’ve talked about in the past and no one does it better than a small business owner: show up every day and practice proven operating fundamentals.

The third is how you talk to yourself. Positive self-talk is important for your spirit. It’s the force that drives your protoplasm

around. In order to handle the emotional toll of your alligators, you have to feed your spirit, because business alligators love a malnourished one. Feeding your spirit simultaneously starves your alligators.

Best-selling author and friend, Marc Allen, introduced me to how he handles this. When Marc has a difficult challenge, he finds a way to get very still and quiet and says to himself: “I will deal with this problem in an easy and

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relaxed manner, in a healthy and positive way.”

Clear your mind of other issues except for the alligator at hand: negative cash flow, lost customer, et cetera. Close your eyes, breathe deeply and repeat after Marc with emphasis on the key words: easy, relaxed, healthy, positive.

My experience is that saying it out loud – the physicality of speaking and hearing the words – seems to improve focus and make them sink in better. This affirmation is also a great way to just start the day and it fits right into a prayer. My favorite is the 23rd Psalm. Say it very slowly, and out loud.

A strong spirit is a confident spirit, and alligators hate the taste of confidence. A well-nourished spirit = starved alligators = a greater chance of success. So, before you go best-two-falls-outof-three with the next alligator, slay your alligators by showing up every day, practicing business fundamentals, and feeding your spirit with positive self-talk.

TO KEEP YOUR HEAD AND AT LEAST STAY EVEN WITH THE ALLIGATORS, YOU MUST DO THREE THINGS. THE FIRST TWO WE’VE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST AND NO ONE DOES IT BETTER THAN A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER: SHOW UP EVERY DAY AND PRACTICE PROVEN OPERATING FUNDAMENTALS.

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12

WINDSOR BUSINESS

Speaking of self-talk, sometimes you can get ambushed by an alligator. At that point, there won’t be anything that looks or seems easy or relaxed. When things get a little more, let’s say, urgently existential, and action must prime reflection, rise up on your hind legs and use this selftalk I learned from a mentor: “This is no hill for a climber – and I’m a climber.”

Write this on a rock: Repeat after Marc: Easy. Relaxed. Healthy.

Positive. Feed your spirit and then WB climb that hill.

Jim Blasingame is the author of The 3rd Ingredient, the Journey of Analog Ethics into the World of Digital Fear and Greed. Visit smallbusinessadvocate.com.