Windsor Business August 2026 Issue

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

16 CORPORATISM: Jim Blasingame says you can achieve success by bringing your customer’s customer into focus.

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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

INSIDE TRACK 2

AT A GLANCE A look at which global regions have the highest income countries based on GNI.

2

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

3

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

PHOTO BY MIKE CHASE, WINDSOR AERIAL DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY

8

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

Maple City Baptist Church assistant pastor Dan Christiaans, at a recently acquired school being renovated to allow for increased church services. By Ron Stang

<<

A look at residential property sales in Essex County and Chatham-Kent.

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

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

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

C

hatham’s Maple City Baptist Church is on the move. The growing church recently acquired a former Catholic school building northeast of downtown on McNaughton Line for $1.3 million. Its current building southwest of the urban center will be kept by the church, resulting in two buildings for worship, education and recreational activities.

Assistant Pastor Dan Christiaans, who will lead the congregation at the new venue, said the church had been thinking of expanding for several years and even thought of building a second church on its current eight-acre site. But the newly purchased building became available and obviously at considerably less costs than, say, spending $5 million on a new facility.

Continued on page 5

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AT A GLANCE A LOOK AT WHICH GLOBAL REGIONS HAVE THE HIGHEST INCOME COUNTRIES.

JUST THE FACTS: • The World Bank classifies economies into four groups based on gross national income per capita: low-income ($1,175 or less), lower-middle-income ($1,176 – $4,635), upper-middle-income ($4,636 – $14,375), and highincome (more than $14,375).

• Europe and Central Asia have the highest share of high-income countries after the World Bank’s North America region, at 69 percent.

• Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region where low-income countries make up the largest share, at 44 percent.

• Latin America and the Caribbean are heavily concentrated in the upper-middle and high-income groups, which together account for 88 percent of countries.

• Nearly half of Africa’s countries (44 percent) are classified as low-income, while another 42 percent fall into the lower-middle-income category.

• East Asia and the Pacific have more varied profiles, with 42 percent of countries in the high-income group and another 34 percent in the upper-middle-income category. The region includes advanced economies such as Japan, Singapore and Australia, and rapidly developing countries including China, Indonesia and Vietnam.

• The region of the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan has the broadest distribution across all four income groups. The region includes some of the world’s wealthiest energy-exporting economies alongside lower-income countries facing slower development or prolonged instability.

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WINDSOR BUSINESS

ACROSS 1 500 sheets of paper 5 Blows 10 Outlet for smoke 14 Old Peruvian 15 Charged particle 16 Common metal 17 Daze 18 Lighter brand 19 Violent demonstration 20 Pot 22 Ten-spot 24 Be dependent 25 Enthusiasm 26 Short – – the stick 30 Ethereal 34 Damage 37 Noble gas 39 Occur afterward 40 – lily 42 Goods for sale 44 “Go – it on the Mountain” 45 Get some Zs 47 Health care worker 49 Mountain 50 Flipped 52 Catchphrase 54 Indentured worker 56 Chooses 59 Stick used by downhill racers (2 wds.)

62 Monkeyshines 64 Weathercock 65 Of a nation’s

maritime force 67 Objects of worship 68 Times 69 Writer – Zola 70 Mafia big shot 71 Amphibian 72 Fleur- – – 73 Murdered DOWN: 1 Take a chance on 2 Stage direction 3 Intense 4 Cloak 5 Fixed look 6 Sea urchin eaten as sushi 7 Drinks 8 Yellow gemstone 9 Hoodwinked 10 Extremely harmful 11 Actor – Stoltz 12 Alcove 13 Explosive stuff 21 Bobcat 23 In the raw 27 Morning moisture

28 – – even keel 29 Symposium 31 Traveling on the ocean 32 Ponder 33 Cry out 34 Flagstaff 35 Folk singer – Guthrie 36 Regrets 38 Roman emperor 41 Most disgruntled 43 Black Flag’s record label 46 Look furtively 48 James Bond’s school 51 Spoke in a monotone 53 Appearances 55 Sweetheart 57 – wave 58 Extent 59 Flavoring plant 60 Was aware of 61 Wickedness 62 Pub offerings 63 Decelerate 64 Painter Vincent – Goh 66 Actress – MacGraw

June solution

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

CARTOON

THE EDITOR’S DESK NADIA H. SHOUSHER

CARTOON BY PAUL MARCH

Great expectations are too great

P

I SEE YOU FINALLY GOT A HOLE IN ONE.

BUSINESS BOOST “Remember The Emperor and His New Clothes? The unfortunate leader unknowingly commissioned unprincipled tailors to sew his robes for a public procession. They made no robes, but instead created an ingenious lie: The robes were of so fine a material that only the noblest townspeople would be able to see them.

“The Emperor was caught. He couldn’t see the robes, but admitting he couldn’t see them would threaten his noble status. He consulted his closest advisors. Desperate to defend their own nobility, the advisors assured him they could see the robes – when they truly could not.

And so it happened that the unfortunate Emperor wore nothing at all in the procession, and was publicly humiliated.

“The moral of the story? The integrity of the people – and the environment – surrounding you is critical. It may save you from showing up with your moral pants down.”

Adrian Gostick and Dana Telford in The Integrity Advantage, Gibbs Smith.

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 30, ISSUE 4 • AUGUST 2026 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Nadia H. Shousher

ART DIRECTOR

David Cowx

CONTRIBUTORS

Jim Blasingame, Dan Chase, Mike Chase, Dale Dauten, Paul March, Devan Mighton, J.T. O’Donnell, Nikita Prajapati, 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., 2026.

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

lease allow me to introduce you to one proposed chapter of my upcoming book on the realities of doing business in today’s climate. As with all sarcasm, there is more than a grain of truth in the barb. I guarantee this tongue-in-cheek commentary is based on the experiences of area executives, as told to me through clenched teeth, fits of laughter and sighs of despair. Yet, while these may all be amusing, as an old German entrepreneur used to tell me: “‘tis still a bit frightening, no?”

Don’t One-Up When You Can Dumb Down: Have you ever noticed how well the less intellectually endowed fare in the real world? I finally figured out why dumb people are healthier and wealthier than the rest of us. They don’t know any better. In fact, they don’t even know enough to worry about what they don’t know, so sleepless nights or biting nails are alien concepts for them.

Dumb people literally exude their dumbness – like others emit an aura of kindness or confidence – which inspires one to protect, coddle and do for them. It may be under the guise of pity, but the enabler in each of us self-assured “doers” forces us to take charge of the situation. So, we get more aggravation while Dumb, Dumber and Dumbest Ever can remain in oblivion. It’s an amazing scam. Wish I’d thought of it.

Truth or Dare: The one thing I cannot abide is a liar, yet I find I must often wade through a minefield of lies when conversing with some people in the course of doing business. This is what I refer to as double speak. When someone says “I’ll call you right back,” they really mean “I’ll call you sometime between now and death. IF you can catch me!”

When someone says “Trust me. This is my work, my creation, my idea,” I immediately start trying to verify the source. You would not believe how often I discovered the piece in question was stolen. Alas, wading through propaganda to get to the truth is a full-time career in itself.

Sticky Fingers and Other Oddities: That corporate theft – of intellectual property, confidential files or company assets – still occurs at all still amazes me. I can see the allure for the intellectually lazy; it takes no brains to steal another’s hard work. What I can’t understand is the blatant arrogance with which thieves defend – nay! Brag! – about their criminality. Just who do they think they’re fooling? Seems like basic honesty has become a scarce commodity in business.

As author Richard M. Huber once said: “The key principle in selling is honesty. Once you know how to fake that, you’ve got it made.”

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

ESSEX ECONOMICS TROY HARRISON

AI skepticism that won’t age out

H

ere’s something nobody saw coming: The generation most skeptical of AI isn’t the one that doesn’t understand it; it’s the one that understands it best.

Every new technology faces resistance. The Internet? A fad. Smartphones?

Unnecessary. Social media? A waste of time. But tech skepticism has always followed the same pattern: older workers resisted, younger workers embraced, and eventually the skeptics retired and adoption became universal.

AI flips this script entirely. Sixty-two percent of Gen Z express skepticism toward Artificial Intelligence – higher than any other generation. Sixteen percent explicitly don’t want AI on their phones, compared to only nine percent of older users. Forty-nine percent believe AI will harm their critical thinking skills.

This isn’t ignorance. It’s educated wariness. Gen Z grew up watching social media algorithms manipulate behavior, mine personal data and damage mental health. They understand how "engagement optimization" created filter bubbles and monetized attention at the expense of well-being.

They’ve seen technology companies prioritize profit over users – and they figure (correctly) that it will keep happening.

Generational dynamics in B2B selling have gotten complex. Older salespeople struggle to connect with younger buyers who communicate differently and research differently. Younger salespeople face challenges selling to executives who expect traditional relationship-building. AI adds another layer of complexity to this already-delicate situation.

An AI-written Email isn’t just impersonal. It’s a signal you chose efficiency over authenticity. An AI chatbot isn’t helpful. It’s a barrier between the buyer and real human expertise. An AI-generated proposal tells the buyer you couldn’t be bothered to understand their specific situation.

Here’s the mismatch: Millennial and Gen X sales leaders view AI pragmatically as a productivity tool (which it can and should be, used correctly). They don’t realize their AI-enhanced outreach is actively repelling their youngest prospects. When buyers doubt the authenticity of your communication, they doubt the authenticity of your company.

This hits B2B hard, because business relationships depend on trust. Buyers need confidence that you’ll deliver, support and stand behind your product over time. AI-generated content undermines that confidence.

The question isn’t whether to use AI. It’s whether you use it in ways that build trust or destroy it. Gen Z’s skepticism provides the answer—and it’s not going away.

Troy Harrison is the author of “Sell Like You Mean It” and “The Pocket Sales Manager.” Email Troy@TroyHarrison.com.

AUGUST 2026

3

TRANSFERS

CLOSURE

BY RON STANG

BY RON STANG

Essex Pepsi bottling plant and south Windsor auto dealership sites sold

E

W

ssex Weld Solutions has bought a property at 333 Gosfield Townline West in Essex, where the long-time Pepsi bottling plant is located. The price for the five-acre property was $5 million.

Owner Abe Friesen said it was “just bought as an investment” and there will be no change in the property’s use.

Essex Weld has been a mainstay in the town of Essex, offering a wide range of custom fabrication and automotive packaging design services. Customers have included Honda and Volvo.

Meanwhile, former owner PepsiCo said it’s business as usual at the site, just north of Highway 3.

“While ownership of the site has changed, PepsiCo Canada continues to operate there under a lease agreement,” said a company spokesperson. “The facility will remain a PepsiCo Canada trailer storage location that serves the broader Windsor community.”

In other local sales transactions, a London-based firm has sold the sites of two south Windsor car dealerships, 925 Provincial Road (Alfa Romeo of Windsor) and 1001 Provincial Road (Provincial

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Chrysler).

The seller was Oxford Leaseholds Ltd., associated with Oxford Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, which did not respond to requests for comment. There will be no change in the Windsor dealerships operations, although the business had a right of first refusal on buying the properties, said owner Jordan Smith.

The buyer was Vito Frija of the Southside Construction Management Ltd., also of London, who declined an interview. Southside is a residential and commercial developer which also does commer-

cial leasing.

Meanwhile, nearby in south Windsor, 1825 Division Road was sold for $7.5 million by “named individuals” to Countryside Windsor Inc., associated with Torontobased Bryce Stewart. Neither party could be reached. The site is the location of the Countryside Village of Windsor, a neighborhood of manufactured homes.

According to its website, the park had been owned by Farmington Hills MI-based Countryside Group Investments, which owns several similar sites in southwestern Ontario and Michigan.

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indsor Star stopped delivering advertising flyers with its newspapers this summer, but the flyers are still being physically delivered to mailboxes and can be found online.

According to posts on Facebook’s Windsor Rants Raves & News, at least one delivery person was caught out by the decision.

Said carrier Ashley Shpak: “I was doing flyer delivery for the building I live in, and for three weeks we didn’t get them. I Emailed and found out I had been fired. They never planned on telling me. Apparently, the Windsor Star doesn’t do fliers anymore, and instead of informing employees they just stopped paying them!”

But poster Jessica Etzl said, “I know someone who did them and they received a letter in advance that it was ending June 13.”

Canada’s largest newspaper chain said in a May release it was making the change to “strengthen long-term sustainability,” in response to “shifting consumer behaviors and a rapidly changing media landscape.”

It went on: “Following a comprehensive review of its flyer distribution operations across Canada, Postmedia has made the strategic decision to exit the flyer distribution business.”

Flyer distribution began being phased out June 8 and will be completed among its numerous markets by the end of August.

Some 50 full-time and 200 parttime jobs were affected, but the company is “committed to supporting affected employees through this transition.”

The flyers are alternately being distributed by various methods – print through Canada Post, and on-

line through websites like Flipp and Raddar.

Patrick Brayler, COO of TC Transcontinental, owner of Raddar (pronounced Radar), told Windsor Business Raddar is a “reinvented flyer product” that started in Quebec and is now across Canada. It serves hundreds of local markets including Windsor.

“Successively, as news organizations have withdrawn from private distribution of flyers, Raddar has expanded most recently in midJune to be a national product,” he said.

Retailers and brands can choose the markets they want to reach.

Readers who formerly saw the printed flyer can go to Raddar.ca, type in their postal code and see their local flyers.

“CANADA POST HAS DONE ITS PART TO SUPPORT THE DELIVERY GAPS BY PROVIDING FLYER DISTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES, THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.” “Postmedia made its own independent business decision to step out of the flyer distribution business, (and) we made our own independent business decision to launch Raddar. We understood retailers still see a lot of value in the printed flyer, and they wanted to be able to reach Canadians from coast to coast,” Brayler said.

Meanwhile, a Canada Post spokesperson said that with Postmedia exiting, “Canada Post has done its part to support the delivery gaps by providing flyer distribution to support businesses, the media landscape and the communities they serve.”

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COVER

BANKRUPTCY

BY RON STANG

BY RON STANG

Chatham church buys former Catholic school Contineud from page 1 The seller was Chatham Seniors Care Inc. of Mississauga, which apparently had considered using it as a care home then decided against it.

That business could not be reached.

The 700 church members were fully agreeable to split into two facilities, and they personally chose which building they will attend.

“It’s something that everybody at our church is on board with and excited about,” Christiaans said.

The current building, which saw a physical expansion over the past decade, can only accommodate 400, so services had to be doubled so the same space could be used.

Church officials are expecting to move into the new building in midSeptember for a soft opening as worship and other programs are transferred, “and we get everything working properly before we open it up to everybody,” he said.

“WE HAD ABOUT FOUR WEEKS TO RAISE $400,000 AND THE CHURCH DID IT.”

youth and adults ministries.

Maple City has been in Chatham since 1978.

Senior Pastor Richard Dressler has been there 25 years and Christiaans more than 20 years.

“We teach and preach the Bible as clearly as we can,” and Pastor Dressler is a “gifted” preacher, he said. “We’re really just trying to do church the way we think the Bible tells us to do it.”

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Truck yard in receivership for sale

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f you’re willing to pay $8.5 million, there is a 10-acre truck yard on Central Avenue waiting for you.

It used to be home to Mississauga-based Eli Logistics Solutions, which recently filed bankruptcy.

Receiver Ernst & Young has taken over the property, which is largely a vacant lot but is still used by truck owners to park their vehicles.

The lot is near the corner of Grand Marais East and Central.

Eli also had to vacate its head-

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Truck Driving School which is one of the tenants on site, said his school will continue to operate there as it has for 19 years. He declined to provide his surname for this story.

David said Eli owned the property for three years. Academy has part of the building and the yard, and stores 10 trucks there. “We have our own facility in the yard.”

He said tenants were directed by memo last October to send their rent to Ernst & Young.

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The new property had earlier been bought by a developer who wanted to put medium-density residential – a seniors residence – there, the pastor said. “But those plans fell through and it came back on the market.”

Besides the purchase price, the church is spending several hundred thousand dollars in renovations, much of the work being carried out by church volunteers.

“We had about four weeks to raise $400,000 and the church did it,” he said of the generosity, adding that another almost $300,000 had been set aside for “whatever expansion we did.”

Despite the new building having been a school with separate classrooms, a minimum of renovations is needed.

The gym, for example, “has a nice stage,” the pastor said. Walls have been painted and a new floor installed. “It will have a bit more of a church feel to it with probably new lighting we can dim a little bit more.” Chairs can be removed so the space can double for recreation purposes.

Christiaans said those transferring to the new location have various reasons: proximity io the venue, and personal relationships with church officials including Christiaans who has been running

quarters in the Greater Toronto Area via a court order last April.

CBRE’s Windsor office is advertising the property as a “rare opportunity to acquire a strategically located 10.01-acre industrial trucking yard, within one of Windsor’s established employment corridors.”

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AUGUST 2026

5

MILESTONES

BY NIKITA PRAJAPATI

Local firms mark anniversaries with community at the core

S

everal independent businesses across WindsorEssex are marking significant anniversaries this year, highlighting resilience, community support and steady growth in a competitive market. From craft brewing to packaging solutions, these locally owned firms share a common thread: a deep connection to the region and a commitment to evolving with it.

At GL Heritage Brewing Co., the nine-year milestone carries both pride and perspective. “On one hand, it feels like we just opened yesterday. On the other, so much has happened,” said co-owner Jen Grondin, noting the challenge of navigating the pandemic just a few years after launching. Operating from a 176-year-old family farm, the brewery credits its longevity to strong community ties. “Our community, our staff, and the support we’ve received – it’s what has kept us going.”

That local-first mindset has also shaped its business model. With distribution focused entirely within Windsor-Essex, the brewery partners with roughly 30 regional establishments. “People here want to support local, and they know the quality is there,” she said. Looking ahead, GL Heritage is expanding its on-site experiences, from largescale events in its new pavilion to creative small-batch releases.

Champion Products, celebrating 35 years, reflects a different scale of growth but echoes similar values. Owner Ashok Sood attributes the company’s success to its people. “My management and em-

The Windsor team at Champion Products, 2026. ployees are the backbone of the business,” he said. While WindsorEssex provided foundational support, the company has grown beyond the region, now operating in more than 10 locations with ambitions to become “a true North American company.”

Sood also emphasized consistency and innovation as key differentiators.

“We still have our first employee and our first customer,” he said, adding that sourcing from hundreds of global suppliers allows the company to stay ahead in the packaging industry.

Namaste Indian Supermarket, marking five years in business,

highlights how identifying a market gap can translate into rapid growth. Owner Parimal Parikh said reaching the milestone is both “emotional and rewarding,” reflecting on the journey from a small idea to a large-format store serving thousands of customers.

He credits hard work, adaptability and a community-focused approach as key drivers. “Above all, the right intention to serve the community is something that got me this far,” he said.

Parikh entered the Windsor market during the pandemic, The response, he said, has been strong, with the store becoming a go-to destination for both everyday

shopping and cultural connection.

Additional plans include new retail concepts and promotions aimed at community engagement, such as a weekly seniors’ discount program.

“Every purchase strengthens the community,” Parikh said, encouraging residents to continue supporting local businesses.

Better Blinds & Drapery, now in its 32nd year, underscores the importance of service and operational efficiency in sustaining long-term growth. Owner Mark Dudfield said the company’s success originates from “hard work, great service and community involvement,” including a consistent support for local charities and fundraising ini-

tiatives.

Dudfield pointed to WindsorEssex’s infrastructure as a business advantage, particularly its highway network.

“The proximity to Highway 401 ensures a robust supply chain,” he said, noting the company sources products from across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. The same infrastructure has enabled expansion into Chatham-Kent in recent years, alongside growth in commercial and government projects. The company continues to update its showroom and product offerings to reflect changing market trends, while maintaining a focus on customer service.

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WINDSOR BUSINESS

HE SAID/SHE SAID NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AREA EXECUTIVES: QUESTION: Does your company give away promotional products? If so, what type of items do you buy?

“While we occasionally distribute branded items such as notebooks, pens, mugs and member materials at events, our real investment is in helping entrepreneurs succeed with representation that drives meaningful change for SMEs across the country.”

“At Team Goran, we believe client appreciation goes beyond the transaction. We love showing our appreciation through promotional gifts, community events, and staying connected long after closing day. It’s our way of thanking clients for their trust while building lasting relationships.”

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“At CPG, we never show up to a meeting emptyhanded. We provide refreshments to current and prospective clients. We also take clients out for dinner and drinks to show our appreciation for their ongoing support.”

Nico Verrelli, Founder & CEO, Hexagon Technical Services.

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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 Address: 4575 Fourth St. Selling Price: $2,994,949 Vendor: FirstCanada ULC Purchaser: NLF Canada Bus Portfolio ULC

SOLD

SOLD

Address: 1285 Crawford Ave. Selling Price: $2 million Vendor: Granite Design Works Inc. Purchaser: 17924437 Canada Inc.

Address: 1225 McDougall St. Selling Price: $1.55 million Vendor: Community Living Windsor Purchaser: 1225 McDougall Ltd.

Address: 5487 Rhodes Dr. Selling Price: $3,647,191 Vendor: Fuller Construction Inc. Purchaser: 1001227205 Ontario Inc.

SOLD

SOLD Address: 600 Weaver Rd. Selling Price: $1,531,870 Vendor: Tilbury Concrete (2021) Inc. Purchaser: Paria Enterprises Inc.

SOLD

SOLD Address: 680 E.C. Row Ave. Selling Price: $4.5 million Vendor: Nobac Enterprises Inc. Purchaser: 1933948 Ontario Ltd.

FOR LEASE 5265 OUTER DRIVE 8 MIN DRIVE TO GORDIE HOWE BRIDGE

Address: 925 Provincial Rd. W./1001 Provincial Rd. W. Selling Price: $7.5 million Vendor: Oxford Leaseway Ltd. Purchaser: Southside Construction Management Ltd.

SOLD Address: 1825 Division Rd. Selling Price: $7.5 million Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: Countryside Windsor Inc.

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WINDSOR BUSINESS

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: County Rd. 42, Conc. 3, Pt Lot 138, Tecumseh Selling Price: $2 million Vendor: Named Individual Purchaser: Gurdwara Khalsa Parkash Windsor Inc.

SOLD

Address: 394 Schoolhouse Rd., Lakeshore Selling Price: $1.2 million Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: Larry Willis & Sons Inc.

SOLD

Address: 6828 Third Line Rd., Chatham-Kent Selling Price: $1 million Vendor: Bakker Joint Cash Crop Venture Ltd. Purchaser: Named Individuals

Address: 324 Grand Ave. E., Chatham-Kent Selling Price: $2.7 million Vendor: Ontario Superior Court of Justice Purchaser: 1000531478 Ontario Inc.

CHATHAM-KENT

• WHEATLEY

SOLD Address: 333 Gosfield Townline W., Essex Selling Price: $5 million Vendor: The Pepsi Bottling Group (Canada) ULC Purchaser: 1486047 Ontario Ltd.

SOLD

SOLD Address: 345 Allen Ave., Essex Selling Price: $1.14 million Vendor: Named Individuals Purchaser: Mills’ Woodworking Inc.

Address: 425 Talbot St. W., Leamington Selling Price: $2.27 million Vendor: PJW Farm Purchaser: Greenstead Farms Inc.

SOLD Address: 111 Sherk St., Leamington Selling Price: $3.7 million Vendor: Castle Gate Towers Inc. Purchaser: 1000028345 Ontario Ltd.

FOR SALE – CHATHAM

2045 ASTOR CR.

400 ERIE ST. E., UNIT 1

3981 TURNER RD.

1329 OTTAWA ST.

GENTRY MANOR HAS BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF DOWNTOWN CHATHAM FOR 150+ YEARS. THIS 10,000 SF LANDMARK OFFERS A RARE FUSION OF ARCHITECTURAL GRANDEUR & MODERN VERSATILITY. A RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ASSET BUILT TO IMPRESS, & BUILT TO LAST.

FOR LEASE. A 13,060 SF BUILDING LOCATED IN OLDCASTLE, WHICH INCLUDES 2,680 SF OF FIRST-CLASS OFFICE SPACE BETWEEN TWO FLOORS. ALSO OFFERS SHOP SPACE WITH TWO GRADE-LEVEL OVERHEAD DOORS, CRANES AND 18' CLEAR HEIGHT CEILINGS. CALL TAMMY WILLIAMS FOR MORE INFO.

FOR LEASE. 4,559 SF OF LOFT-STYLE OFFICE SPACE. BEAUTIFULLY FINISHED, TWO-STOREY, OPEN CONCEPT OFFICES. INCLUDES PRIVATE OFFICES, 2 BATHROOMS, RECEPTION AREA, BOARDROOM, KITCHEN & OPEN CONCEPT SHARED WORKSPACE. LOTS OF WINDOWS, NATURAL LIGHT.

FOR SALE. 4,500 SF FIRST-CLASS LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, CENTRALLY LOCATED A BLOCK FROM CTY RD. 42, AND 5 MIN. FROM 401 AND EC ROW, AND APPROX 15 MIN. TO THE BRIDGES. TOTALLY UPDATED W/EXCELLENT FINISHES, 2 GRADE-LEVEL LOADING DOORS + ON-SITE PARKING.

FOR SALE. OWNER RETIRING. APPROX 3,000 SF RETAIL STORE AT THIS LOCATION SINCE THE 1940S. OTTAWA IS ONE OF WINDSOR’S MOST BELOVED SHOPPING AREAS. WITH 80+ SHOPS, RESTAURANTS & SERVICES. VEHICLE COUNT OF 12,000+ CARS DAILY + BUSY WALK-BY TRAFFIC.

980 McDOUGALL ST.

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4525 RHODES DR. UNIT 700

370 ERIE ST. E.

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FOR LEASE. 4,840 SF BETWEEN TWO FLOORS OF WAREHOUSE/ OFFICE SPACE. SECOND FLOOR IS ACCESSIBLE BY ELEVATOR + STAIRS. COOL FLEX-SPACE W/ LOADS OF CHARACTER, PERFECT FOR OFFICE & WAREHOUSE USES. OVERHEAD DOOR. LOTS OF ON-SITE PARKING. CONTACT TAMMY WILLIAMS TO VIEW.

FOR LEASE. 1,550 SF OF WAREHOUSE / SHOP SPACE WITH 14 FOOT CLEAR CEILING HEIGHT. OVERHEAD DOOR. TENANT IS RESPONSIBLE TO PAY ITS PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF CAM CHARGES. CONTACT TAMMY WILLIAMS TO VIEW.

FOR LEASE. 5,212 SF GROUND FLOOR SPACE IN DELTA PARK BUSINESS COMPLEX. UNIT OFFERS A WAREHOUSE & FINISHED OFFICES. ACCESS VIA DRIVE-IN DOOR & TRUCK DOCK. IDEAL FOR WAREHOUSING & MANUFACTURING. BETWEEN CENTRAL AVE & JEFFERSON, W/IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO EC ROW.

FOR LEASE. 16,215 SF OF EXCELLENT WAREHOUSE/ MANUFACTURING SPACE. UNIT HAS 3 LOADING DOCKS AND 2 DRIVE-IN DOORS. CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN & WINDSOR/DETROIT TUNNEL. APPROX 10 MINUTES FROM THE AMBASSADOR BRIDGE. VERY CLEAN W/PLENTY OF ON-SITE PARKING.

FOR LEASE. 1,400 SF OF NICELY FINISHED OFFICE SPACE IN A CONVENIENT LOCATION, CLOSE TO E.C. ROW. ON-SITE PARKING AVAILABLE. CONTACT TAMMY WILLIAMS FOR FULL INFORMATION.

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9

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

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Where: 3536 Wolfe Crt. Property Size: 45’ x 103’ # Bedrooms: 4 + 1 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $3,541 Listed For: $399,900 Sold For: $455,000

Where: 2450 Academy Dr. Property Size: 65’ x 117’ # Bedrooms: 3 + 2 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $3,666 Listed For: $529,900 Sold For: $525,000

Where: 883 Pillette Rd. Property Size: 30’ x 129’ # Bedrooms: 3 + 2 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $1,948 Listed For: $430,000 Sold For: $400,000

Where: 958 Esdras Ave. Property Size: 40’ x 130’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $3,310 Listed For: $429,000 Sold For: $429,000

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Where: 3815 Vaughan St. Property Size: 60’ x 110’ # Bedrooms: 2 + 2 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $2,514 Listed For: $359,000 Sold For: $360,500

Where: 2379 Via Vita St. Property Size: 49’ x 110’ # Bedrooms: 3 + 1 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $4,064 Listed For: $579,000 Sold For: $546,000

Where: 3331 Glenwood Property Size: 66’ x 105’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $3,614 Listed For: $489,900 Sold For: $465,000

Where: 1133 Windermere Property Size: 30’ x 93’ # Bedrooms: 3 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $3,018 Listed For: $299,900 Sold For: $290,000

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10

WINDSOR BUSINESS

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

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Where: 2515 Cousineau St., LaSalle Property Size: 65’ x 130’ # Bedrooms: 3 + 2 # Bathrooms: 3 Taxes: $5,211 Listed For: $629,900 Sold For: $605,000

Where: 4959 Montgomery Dr., LaSalle Property Size: 60’ x 164’ # Bedrooms: 3 + 1 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $4,093 Listed For: $579,900 Sold For: $630,000

Where: 187 Rockhaven Dr., Lakeshore Property Size: 49’ x 115’ # Bedrooms: 3 + 2 # Bathrooms: 3 Taxes: $3,962 Listed For: $684,999 Sold For: $685,000

Where: 12580 Erie St., Chatham-Kent Property Size: 264’x n/a # Bedrooms: 4 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $855 Listed For: $289,000 Sold For: $280,000

CHATHAM-KENT

• WHEATLEY

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Where: 126 McLeod Ave., Amherstburg Property Size: 100’ x 131’ # Bedrooms: 4 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $2,308 Listed For: $415,000 Sold For: $405,000

Where: 159 Ambassador Beach Rd., Colchester Property Size: N/A # Bedrooms: 1 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: N/A Listed For: $149,900 Sold For: $145,000

Where: 237 Murray St., Kingsville Property Size: 51’ x 120’ # Bedrooms: 3 + 1 # Bathrooms: 2 Taxes: $3,457 Listed For: $499,900 Sold For: $470,000

Where: 850 County Rd. 31, Leamington Property Size: 82’ x 265’ # Bedrooms: 2 # Bathrooms: 1 Taxes: $2,776 Listed For: $399,900 Sold For: $350,000

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11

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

MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT COMMERCIAL: • • Buxton Inc. is building a restaurant at an entertainment venue on AD Shadd Rd. Value of construction: $600,000.

• The Municipality of ChathamKent is renovating a long-term care home on King St. W. Value of construction: $1.8 million.

• The Public General Hospital is renovating a hospital on Grand Ave. W. Value of construction: $530,000.

• The Municipality of ChathamKent is building an apartment building on Westcourt Blvd.

Value of construction: $42,825,000.

• Lambton District School Board is doing renovations to a school on Cecile Ave. Value of construction: $1.1 million.

• GGCM Holdings Inc. is building a mixed use commercial and residential building on Queen St. N. Value of construction: $1 million.

• The Municipality of ChathamKent is renovating an apartment building on McNaughton Ave. W. Value of construction: $90,000.

MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT RESIDENTIAL: • Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Hiram St. Value of construction: $340,000.

• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Pinehurst Line. Value of construction: $450,000.

• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Bluewater

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Line. Value of construction: $400,000.

Individuals are building an addition to a single-family residence on Lisgar St. S. Value of construction: $155,000.

Individuals are building a semidetached residence on Patteson Ave. Value of construction: $380,000.

Individuals are building an Additional Dwelling Unit at a single-family residence on St. Michael Ave. Value of construction: $25,000.

14307151 Canada Inc. is building a four-plex residence on Delaware Ave. Value of construction: $640,000.

Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Longwoods Rd. Value of construction: $580,000.

Mi Cazza Construction is building a single-family home on Cornerstone Pl. Value of construction: $750,000.

Individuals are building an addition to a residence on Detroit Line. Value of construction: $79,000.

Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Talbot Trail.

Value of construction: $1 million.

Faas Construction Ltd. Is building an addition to a single-family residence on Maynard Line.

Value of construction: $152,000.

Affinity Homes is building two units of a semi-detached residence on Worthington Crt. Values of construction: $425,000 each.

Kevin Vreman Construction is building an addition to a singlefamily residence on Charing

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Cross Rd. Value of construction: $124,000.

Affinity Homes is building two units of a semi-detached dwelling on Worthington Crt. Values of construction: $385,000 each.

Individuals are building an addition to a single-family residence on Centre Sd. Rd. Value of construction: $100,000.

Tom’s Building & Remodelling is doing renovations to a singlefamily residence on Jane St. Value of construction: $325,000.

Ritchie Home Builders is building an Additional Dwelling Unit to a single-family residence on Sinclair Line. Value of construction: $800,000.

Mi Cazza Construction is building a single-family residence on LaSalle Lane. Value of construction: $500,000.

Individuals are building a singlefamily home on Beechwood Line. Value of construction: $700,000.

Rumble Homes Ltd. is building a single-family residence on Gesner Line. Value of construction: $750,000.

Haven Gate Homes Inc. is building a single-family residence on Rosewood Cr. Value of construction: $880,000.

Johnson Construction is building an Additional Dwelling Unit at a residence on Brook Line. Value of construction: $450,000.

Campeau Custom Homes is building a single-family dwelling on Lantern Lane. Value of construction: $600,000.

Affinity Homes is building a single-family residence on LaSalle Lane. Value of construction: $400,000.

• Park Hill Custom Homes Ltd. is building a single-family residence on Bloomington Way. Value of construction: $500,000.

• Individuals are building an Additional Dwelling Unit to a residence on Angler Line. Value of construction: $110,000.

• Maple City Homes is building two single-family residences on Ironwood Trail. Values of construction: $450,000 and $400,000.

• Sun Built Custom Homes is building a single-family residence on Bloomington Way. Value of construction: $700,000.

• Park Hill Custom Homes is building a single-family residence on Cherry Blossom Trail. Value of construction: $500,000.

TOWN OF LASALLE COMMERCIAL: • A company is building an accessory structure to a business on Seventh Conc. Rd. Value of construction: $113,000.

• A landlord is doing interior fit ups to a retail tenant on Sandwich West Pkwy. Value of construction: $25,000.

• A landlord is doing interior fit ups to a Jimmy John’s restaurant on Sandwich West Pkwy. Value of construction: $7,000.

TOWN OF LASALLE RESIDENTIAL: • Individuals are doing renovations to a single-family residence on Lyons Ave. Value of construction: $975,000.

• Contractors are building two units of a semi-detached dwelling on Angelo Ave. Values of

construction: $387,510 each.

• Contractors are building two units of a semi-detached dwelling on Fields Ave. Values of construction: $493,050 each.

• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Mayrand St. Value of construction: $924,320.

MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON COMMERCIAL: • An agricultural business is building a greenhouse on County Rd.14. Value of construction: $75 million.

• An agricultural business is building an accessory structure on County Rd. 14. Value of construction: $530,000.

• The Municipality of Leamington is doing repairs to a school on Maxon Ave. Value of construction: $2 million.

• An agricultural business is erecting an irrigation building on County Rd. 14. Value of construction: $1.8 million.

• An agricultural business is erecting mini washrooms at a greenhouse on County Rd. 14. Value of construction: $50,000.

• Contractors are building accessory structures to a business on Erie St. S. Value of construction: $250,000.

• Contractors are building a restaurant on Erie St. S. Value of construction: $125,000.

• Contractors are renovating business offices on Queens Ave. Value of construction: $49,000.

• Contractors are building five multi-unit dwellings at an agricultural business on County Rd. Continued on page 16

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12

WINDSOR BUSINESS

THE WORLD OF WORK

START UPS

BY JEANINE “J.T.” O’DONNELL

THE FOLLOWING WINDSOR, ESSEX COUNTY AND CHATHAM-KENT COMPANIES WERE RECENTLY ISSUED CERTIFICATES OF INCORPORATION UNDER ONTARIO’S BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT:

• 185 Chatham Capital Inc. • Allscope Build Inc. • Bhumika Patel Dentistry Professional Corp.

• Blue Line Cleaning Technologies Inc. • Broadband Technical Services Inc. • Casagrande Granite & Marble Inc. • Chatham-Kent Sustainable Holdings Inc. • Clean Sweep Property Maintenance Inc. • Databending Corp.

• Diab Capital Inc. • DiGiovanni Family Holdings Inc. • Dilly Dally Art Studio Inc. • Dr. A Takhar Dentistry Professional Corp.

• Dr. A Uzoma Medicine Professional Corp.

• Duhyre Global Solutions Inc. • E & E Builders Ltd. • Eltayeb Global Business Ltd. • Elvaris Group Inc. • Goldwater Construction Inc. • Harmony Accounting & Financial Services Inc. • Heartland Homes Inc. • HMD Financials CPA Professional Corp.

• Hoop Windsor Inc. • JPG Capital Group Ltd. • KB Country Market Inc. • Lakeshore Tent House & Decoration Inc. • Legacy Land & Ranch Management Inc. • Lumba Chiropractic Professional Corp.

• Luxtra Supply Group Inc. • Mantha Outdoors Inc. • Maria Bonita Kitchen Inc.

• Martindale Truck & Trailer Repair Ltd. • Mas-Av Maintenance Service Ltd. • Melissa Bishop Consulting Inc. • MJ Plumbing & Heating Inc. • Ms Barbery Inc. • Nordshift Modern Business Solutions Inc. • Novara Construction Inc. • Pamela McDonald Professional Real Estate Corp.

• Parallel Advanced Recording For Parenting Inc. • Peppermills Holdings, Inc. • Pinnacle Custom Construction Ltd. • Pinnacle Exterior Construction Ltd. • Piroli Capital Inc. • Porrone & Partners Inc. • Premier Luxury Cleaning Inc. • Rock Bottom Trucking Inc. • S. Rasouli Legal Professional Corp.

• Safaa's Barber Shop Ltd. • Sarah Karra-Aly Optometry Professional Corp.

• Saturn Tool & Die (Windsor) Inc. • SB Roofing Contractors Inc. • Segesta Quality Stone Works Inc. • Shekinah Development Corp.

• Shridevi Bisanalli Medicine Professional Corp.

• Sungrown Developments Inc. • Sunshine Drugs First Place Ltd. • Taychet Creations Inc. • Towle Family Holdings Inc. • Windsor Music & Arts Group Inc. • Zain’s Restaurant Inc. WB

How do I explain the two years I was out of work for caregiving?

Dear J.T.: I left my job two years ago to care for my mother through a serious illness. It was the right decision, and I do not regret it. Now I am ready to return to work, but I am terrified the gap on my résumé makes me look out of touch, or not serious. How do I explain two years away without it sinking my chances? — Diane Dear Diane: Let me start by reframing the thing you are most afraid of. That gap is not a hole in your résumé; it is a chapter, and a deliberate one. The way you talk about it will determine how it lands far more than the gap itself.

The first mistake people in your position make is treating the gap like a confession. They lead with it, apologize for it and brace for judgment. Do not do that. You made a thoughtful choice to care for a family member through a hard time.

That is not a liability to explain away. It is a fact to state plainly and move past.

On the résumé, you have options. You can simply show your work history with the dates and address the gap in conversation. Or, if it helps the timeline read cleanly, you can include a brief dated entry such as Family Caregiving Sabbat-

8 BREAD STICKS WITH DIP

ical, with the years.

Either way, lead the document with your skills and your strongest accomplishments, not the gap. Recruiters skim, so give them your value first. In interviews, when the question comes, answer it in two confident sentences and pivot forward. Something like, “I stepped away for two years to care for my mother through her illness. That chapter is complete, and I am fully energized to bring my experience back to a role like this one.”

That is it. No long justification.

The calm brevity signals you are at peace with the decision, which makes the interviewer comfortable too. Then redirect to readiness. The worry behind the gap question is whether your skills are current and whether you are committed.

Address both head-on. Show you have kept up with your field through reading, a course, a certification, freelance work or staying connected.

Now, here is your most powerful move, and it bypasses the gap question almost entirely. Backchannel through the people who already know your work. Your former colleagues, managers and clients knew you before the break. They can vouch for your ability and walk you

*** J.T. O’Donnell is the founder and CEO of the job search career coaching platform Work It Daily.

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straight into a conversation, where a two-year gap is a non-issue because someone credible is already saying you are excellent.

A warm referral does not care about your timeline. It cares about your reputation, which is intact. Reconnect with those people now. Not with an apology, but with energy.

A word of caution. You can mention transferable strengths you sharpened while caregiving, like logistics, advocacy and managing under pressure, if they are genuine and relevant. But do not overreach.

Authenticity matters more than spin. You did something meaningful and human. The right employer will see that as a sign of character, not a red flag. Walk in with your head up, lead with your value, lean on the people who know you, and treat the gap as the settled, ordinary fact that it is. You did not fall behind. You stepped away on purpose, and now you are stepping back.

Own it.

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13

EXPANSION

SALE

BY NIKITA PRAJAPATI

BY RON STANG

Gerrie Electrical opens Windsor site

G

errie Electrical, a Canadian-owned distributor of electrical products, is expanding its operations with a new location in Windsor. The company, founded in 1957 and headquartered in Oakville ON, currently operates 24 branches across the province.

The new Windsor branch is located on Rhodes Drive. Brad Coughlin, regional manager for Southwestern Ontario, said “We chose Rhodes Drive because it has very good highway exposure off E.C. Row, and most electrical distributors are in the same area. We wanted to be in a place convenient and familiar for customers.”

The company has already been servicing customers in the WindsorEssex region, and identified the need for a physical location. Ac-

cording to the company, the region presents growth opportunities, supported in part by recent reductions in development fees.

“WE CHOSE RHODES DRIVE BECAUSE IT HAS VERY GOOD HIGHWAY EXPOSURE OFF E.C. ROW, AND MOST ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTORS ARE IN THE SAME AREA.” Gerrie supplies a range of electrical products used in residential, commercial and industrial applications. Its product offerings include wiring and cable, lighting products, automation and control systems, and related components used by contractors and industrial clients.

LE

R FO

SA

At this time, Gerrie does not plan to expand into the U.S. or even ship products across the border. Its current strategy is focused on strengthening its presence within Ontario, and improving service to its existing customer base.

Coughlin added: “We are one of the few fully Canadian-owned and family-owned electrical distributors in Ontario.”

Local competitors say the Windsor market is already crowded.

Roger Godin, branch manager of Ideal Supply in Leamington, said additional entrants may not be necessary. “We don’t need another distributor in Windsor, because we are already overdistributed,” he said.

“How it will affect the market and pricing, it’s probably not going to be significant.”

WB

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U.S.-based South Windsor school bus depot sold

F

irst Canada ULC, associated with Canada’s largest school bus transportation provider, has sold its property in southwest Windsor to NLF Canada Bus, but the business is still operating as First Canada.

The sale occurred in June for $3 million.

The property is wedged in a corner between Huron Church Road and E.C. Row Expressway, where there is an office and a school bus yard.

Chris Arthurs, general manager of Windsor Essex Student Transportation Services (WESTS), a consortium which manages school bus operations for the four local school boards, said his department has contracts with four different bus companies, one of which is First Student Canada. Each business has multiple yards and there could be as many as 12 in Windsor-Essex, one of which being the southwest Windsor space.

The other contracted operators are Switzer-Carty, Sharp Bus Lines and G & L Stevenson. They bid on multiple-year contracts; Arthurs declined to provide more detail.

The school bus system is very extensive. Last year, there were 452 routes travelling 49,000 kms a day or almost nine trips between Halifax

and Vancouver. The system has some 550 buses.

In this case the yard buyer, NLF Canada, has not operated in Windsor-Essex and could not be tracked down. But Arthurs is aware of the company.

Arthurs said if anything has been sold it was the property and not the business, or he would have been informed.

“I’ve heard nothing in regard to the sale, and they couldn’t sell a business without me knowing,” he said. He said First Canada ULC could be a subsidiary company that operates depots. But “it’s still First Student Canada” operating those buses.

First Student Canada is apparently a division of Cincinnati OHbased First Student. Windsor Business couldn’t reach anyone from First Canada, and First Student did not respond to requests for comment.

Arthurs said the school bus industry landscape “has changed quite a bit, especially in the last 20 years,” in part due to technology.

WESTS’ local board transportation website is Buskids.ca with the motto “putting the wheels in motion on the road to your child’s educaWB tion.”

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WINDSOR BUSINESS

519-999-9898

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TRADE

BY RON STANG

Gordie Howe International Bridge opens to much fanfare The numbers at a glance:

$6.4B 20.1M 15,843 16 24 12

SOURCE: GORDIE HOWE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE

Cost to build

Hours of labor to build

Number of workers involved

Number of state-of-the-art toll lanes

Number of primary inspection lanes

Number of commercial secondary examination docks

$274M

Value of goods moved between Windsor-Detroit per day

$1.3B

Estimated contribution to Windsor’s GDP Source: Gordie Howe International Bridge

SOURCE: GORDIE HOWE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE

SOURCE: WINDSOR AERIAL DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY

AUGUST 2026

15

CORPORATISM

BY JIM BLASINGAME

Bringing your customer’s customer into clear focus

W

hen you take a photograph, the resulting product is two-dimensional: tall, wide and flat. But in most cases, you want the photo to show depth, where images in the foreground and background are all in focus.

In photographic terms, the range of focus front to back is called depth of field. The best way to expand depth of field – so more of the subjects in the photo are in focus – is to add light. Light

contributes to depth of field.

If you were given a photo of people who were the most critical to your success, you’d easily recognize your customers in the foreground in perfect focus. But as you look deeper into the photo, you’d notice the images behind that first row increasingly drop out of focus with each receding row.

The reason is that, for most of the history of the marketplace, businesses have gotten away with having a very narrow customer

depth of field.

When the coin of the realm was to be competitive, that meant you spent all your time thinking about how to serve the person in the foreground, the first row of your business world: your customers. But as I’ve revealed in the past, being competitive has been trumped by being relevant.

And in The Age of the Customer, perhaps the most important component of being relevant to business customers is helping them

serve the most important person in their photo: their customers.

Let me say that again with Blasingame’s New Law of Customer Relevance: If you want to have customers for life, help your customers help their customers.

The way to accomplish this is to increase the depth of field of your customer photo. Light up the view beyond the first row of customers, so that the second row is completely in focus. This three-step process works every time:

1. Identify the customer of your customer; 2. Find out what your customer needs to do to become relevant to their customer; 3. Whatever the answer to #2 is, help your customer do that.

Executing this approach is how you acquire customers you almost can’t run off. Because when you help your customers help their customers, they know you’re doing more than just delivering stuff.

You’ve become part of their team – integrated and committed, like a true stakeholder.

And if you want to pull off the customer relevance hat trick, light up the third row of your business’s photo: Help your customers help their customers help their customers.

I’ve done it – and it’s a beautiful thing.

WB

Generational wealth can provide your family with freedom, security and a strong financial foundation, well into the future.

Your children’s children’s children will thank you.

Write this on a rock: Achieve sustainable success, by bringing your customer’s customer into focus.

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

BUILDING PERMITS Continued from page 12 14. Values of construction: $798 million.

MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON RESIDENTIAL: Lori Seguin (Client Service Associate), Mark Abraham (Senior Investment Advisor), Tori Forsey (Client Service Associate), James Labiak (Associate Investment Advisor)

Mark Abraham, B. Comm. (Hons), CIM® Senior Investment Advisor and Associate Porfolio Manager

Abraham & Associates Wealth Management Group 156 Ouellette Avenue, Suite 300, Windsor, ON N9A 1A4 Tel: 519-253-2193 | Toll free: 800-287-1898 mark.abraham@td.com Abraham and Associates Wealth Management Group is a part of TD Wealth Private Investment Advice, a division of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. which is a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ® The TD logo and other TD trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries.

16

WINDSOR BUSINESS

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

• Individuals are building a multiunit dwelling on Country Rd. 18.

Value of construction: $700,000.

• Individuals are building an Accessory Dwelling Unit to a residence on Kent County Rd. 1. Value of construction: $200,000.

TOWN OF ESSEX RESIDENTIAL: • Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Ducharme Lane. Value of construction: $840,000.

WB