MEMBER SNAPSHOTS
The strength of The Chamber is our members and the people who run these outstanding businesses. For this edition we are focusing on businesses and organizations that are over 100 years old. These interviews have been edited for length and clarity. To see the full interviews, or find out how you can be featured, visit our website www.victoriachamber.ca
NATASHA W. CRAWFORD Owner Brown's The Florist Founded 1912
the reputation as both business owner and woman. We are very proud of the strong history of female leadership within our company. What project is your business proudest of? We cannot pick a single event; however, we are proud of our relationship and support of our Canadian Military through WWI & WWII, to present day. What do you see your business selling/providing in the next 100 years? We believe that the floral industry is timeless. Flowers speak a language that is as relevant today as it was hundreds of years ago. How do you relax? Take a stroll through Butchart Gardens—I make a point of enjoying this world class destination that is right in our backyard. Where can we find you on the weekend? Chasing my 3-year-old! What is the best part about doing business in Greater Victoria? Victoria is a small town wrapped up in a big city. Although we are one of many floral businesses in Greater Victoria, we have also loved that we are part of a collaboration and not competition; each shop has its own specialization and group of regular clients.
How and when was your business founded? BROWN'S THE Our roots stretch FLORIST IS AN AWARDback to the late 1800s, WINNING LOCALLY OWNED when Mary PROFESSIONAL FLORIST THAT Ann Brown, FOCUSES ON SUSTAINABLE a migrant BUSINESS PRACTICES. PROUD from England TO CARRY OVER 75% LOCALLY with her own GROWN FLOWERS AND PLANTS. fruitful story in OPEN AND DELIVERS FROM Victoria, B.C., established SOOKE TO SIDNEY 7 DAYS Fairview Esquimalt A WEEK. Dysart, who worked with Brown's for 40 Greenhouses. Her years!! Chris vendor-financed my purchase nurseries expanded and was my business coach for a decade into flower shops and, when to ensure a smooth transition of ownership. sold to William H. Brown of Brown Bros., eventually became Brown’s The Florist. How Any famous company legends/stories/ ghosts? While we cannot quite claim this as important is succession planning? Critical! our own story, our predecessor, Mary Ann As only the fifth owner of this blooming BROWN'S THE FLORIST: MEMBER Brown of Fairview Esquimalt Greenhouses business, I was chosen from within the SINCE 1981 outlived 5 husbands and developed quite company by the previous owner, Christine
MIKE SHEMILT President Island Blue Print Founded 1912 How and when was your business founded? Island Blue Print & Map Co. Ltd. was originally founded 105 years ago on July 4th, 1912, when Mr. Joseph Davenport was awarded a contract to remap the City of Victoria. How has your business remained relevant for so long? Diversification. Do you still sell the same product you did 100 years ago? We still sell pencils! Is your ISLAND business a family business? The Shemilt family has been involved since 1950, when Vic Shemilt BLUE AS IT joined the company. Today it is operated by IS KNOWN TODAY son’s Mike, Craig and Rob. What was your OPERATES THREE DIVISIONS, first job? Along with my brothers, at a very A TECHNOLOGICALLY early age our parents had us stuff and lick ADVANCED DIGITAL PRINTING envelopes every month to get customer OPERATION, INCLUDING A BOOK statements in the mail. Who is your role PRINTING DIVISION BRANDED AS model or has had the biggest influence on your life? My father, whether it was sports, “PRINTORIUM BOOKWORKS” AND personal or business. He was honest and THE ART STORE IS VICTORIA’S fair. He always explained it the way it was. LARGEST RETAILER OF FINE How do you relax? A good glass of red wine! ARTIST, GRAPHICS AND Favourite summer activity? Head to the cabin CRAFT SUPPLIES. at Shawnigan Lake. If you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead who would it be? Mr. Davenport, the founder of Island Blue Print, it would be interesting to learn more about the company in its early years when my ISLAND BLUE PRINT: MEMBER SINCE 1961 Grandfather worked in the company from 1916-1920.
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BUSINESSMATTERS | JULY 2017
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