Jason
Wilson of Creighton was born to be an entrepreneur. But it took
nine years of working for someone else for him to realize he
could do it himself. He opened his own business, and he’s
never looked back. He credits his former employer, now the “friendly
opposition” with giving him his start. Jason learned all
about the tire business while working there.
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Jason
now owns and operates Jason’s Tire in Creighton,
SK. The shop opened November 20, 2000, as a tire shop and
has been adding services over the years. Now, Jason sells
and services all sixes including semi tires; brakes, exhaust
systems; and transmissions for vehicles up to one ton in
weight.
His
shop covers 3,000 square feet; with an additional 1,500
square feet upstairs for tire storage. He keeps about
600 tires in stock at any one time.
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“In
the first year we purchased 119,000 tires and we’re moving
up.” He says. “But the mechanical side has for outstripped
the tire sales and service – it’s huge!” The
business has four service bays, and can work on four vehicles
at a time.
He
doesn’t have a tow truck though. “It wouldn’t
pay”, he says. He uses a local towing service to tow vehicles
to the shop. He doesn’t do bodywork either, leaving that
to experts in another business.
“Having
your business is a lot of work, but it’s better than working
for someone else,” he says.
While
not a mechanic himself, he employs a journeyman mechanic and
an apprentice among his staff of six. He has a secretary who
comes in for about an hour each day.
| Good
service is the key! “To me, the key is good service
and treating everyone fairly,” he says. If you’re
honest and don’t mess people around, have a good manner
with everyone and honour all warranties, people get to know
and the business will grow. As an example of service, if
a regular local customer needs and oil change but doesn’t
have time to drop the vehicle off, we’ll pick it up,” he
says. Jason is a bundle of energy, always on the move, always
trying to figure out ways of improving his service. He has
a way with people, jokes with his customer and is almost
always in a good humour. |
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His
customers come from the Flin Flon/Creighton area as well as north-eastern
Saskatchewan and north-western Manitoba. They speak highly of
Jason and his good, friendly service.
Banks
not interested? As a young entrepreneur, Jason had to find funding
to get his business off the ground. With no track record and
his young age (late 20’s but looks 19), the banks wouldn’t
touch him.
However,
with his aboriginal background he was able to access funds like
Aboriginal Business Canada, Northern Enterprise Fund and Saskatchewan
Indian Equity Foundation. The Opportunities Fund and Visions
North CFDC also helped out. By syndicating, all the agencies
were able to back Jason in his new venture.
Does
he have plans to expand? “I’m about as big as I want
to get,” he says.
Originally
from Ontario, Jason moved to the Creighton/Flin Flon areas in
1989 at the age of 16 to live with his father. He finished school
at Hap Not Collegiate in Flin Flon. He likes it here – “It’s
a good, safe area to live,” he says.
With
a girlfriend, a malamute dog and his business, he doesn’t
have much spare time.
He
loves it, and he’s already an established business in the
area, keeping busy.
Written
by Gill Gracie, Aurora Communications
Other
Success Stories:
2nd
Annual Northern Lenders Trade Show (April 2008)
2008
Youth Conference (April 2008)
Peter
Kenyon and Engaging the Community (June 2008)
2nd
Annual Women in Business Conference (September 2008)
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