Success Story: Connolly Enterprises Ltd.
Connolly Enterprises Ltd. was founded in 1989, with the support of the Lamont-Two Hills Business Development Corporation (BDC). At that time, it was known as the Community Development Office, located in Bruderheim. We were especially grateful for the assistance from Frank Simon and Gerri Richer.
Frank helped us with the keeping of proper accounts and the set up of our reporting and submitting system to the various government agencies. Gerri Richer helped us by setting up our daily logs, report books and advertising campaigns, with “hands-on” help in daily business procedures.
Throughout the onset, our moral and financial assistance was enforced through the direct payment issued by the Self-Employment Program (SE) at the BDC. This program support E.I. clients who are interested in pursuing a business venture. The payments gave us peace of mind that food could be on the table while we struggled with a new lifestyle.
Connolly Enterprises Ltd. started off by providing repair service to the County of Lamont. This proved to be a difficult experience, as our small business could not compete with Home Hardware, Canadian Tire, and other various warehouse suppliers selling at discount prices. Despite what seemed to be an insurmountable obstacle, Connolly Enterprises Ltd. decided to regroup and break into the industrial field.
Bob Connolly had fifteen years of industrial experience, and approached every industrial institution within a twenty-five mile radius. Unfortunately, they would not entertain a company without five years experience due to the risk of bankruptcy. Yet, defeat was not in Connolly Enterprises Ltd.’s projections, but a timely retreat was in order while more research could be done.
The research program indicated that a new field within the industrial sector was opening. Connolly Enterprises actively campaigned for a period of eight months before a breakthrough developed. This breakthrough allowed Connolly Enterprises Ltd. to reach peak employment of twenty individuals within the Lamont and Strathcona counties. This upward surge lasted for three years, with clients like Canadian Occidental and Albright & Wilson supplying the main workload.
Again, unfortunate competition arose with less experience but lower prices. Connolly Enterprises Ltd. chose to use this time as an opportunity to retreat and actively research the market. The research paid off, resulting in today’s situation, which has allowed a low profile company like Connolly Enterprises Ltd. to obtain work in China, England, and across Canada. We are presently working on the “Sunshine Coast”!
We are grateful to the Lamont-Two Hills BDC for their guidance and encouragement through the start-up and rough times that we underwent to reach the position we are now in. It goes to show that a lot of hard work and a little extra help and resources can go a long way!
Note: As for the Business Development Corporation, I was so impressed with their level of dedication for their clients, that I chose to become involved directly in the organization. I have been a board member since 1990, and have been happily helping other fledging businesses reach their goals!