I have a saying: “Opportunities are where you find them.” And what I mean by that is opportunity is everywhere—all around you—you just have to be open to those happy events to be able to see them.
A person only becomes old when they stop being open to new things and ideas. The moment you decide you know everything, that no one can tell you anything, you’re starting to get old. I know old 20 and 30-year olds. I also know young 82 and 85-year olds.
Having some kind of ‘pixie dust’, concession, franchise or differentiated value in your business model is important to having a business that is sustainable over the long term.
Recently, a bright, personable young guy I have been tracking for a few years told me how he turned the latest Canadian Food Inspection Agency directive into a valuable concession (or, if you prefer, franchise) for his firewood business. This case shows how you turn misfortune into fortune and show adaptability—a highly prized skill for any would-be entrepreneur.
Here is Chris’ (latest) story:
“Hi Bruce, how’s it going? Sorry to take so long to get back to you. Anyway, a lot has changed in the last month and a bit. I’ve had to re-focus my business direction. In April, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency put a ban on moving wood from within the urban area to the rural area of Ottawa. And, of course, Carp Road is the boundary. So I won’t need your wood lot anymore.
The ban was put in place because a bug called the Emerald Ash Borer has made its way to Ottawa. It has killed thousands of Ash trees in Southern Ontario. Although the bug only infects Ash trees, the ban includes moving any wood classified as firewood from inside the city. 80% of my firewood supply comes from local tree companies taking down trees in the city as well as my own jobs. So basically I either had to give up my firewood operation or find somewhere within the quarantine zone.
I managed to find a good spot on Richmond Road right behind Bridlewood. I can now take all the wood from tree companies within the zone. I’m one of the only firewood operations within the zone so I’ll have no trouble getting a good supply of wood. I’m basically using the new regulations to my advantage. Most tree companies will have trouble getting rid of all their wood so it’s going to work well for me. This ban is a Federal ban too, the fines for breaking it could be as high as $50 000!
I’ve had the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in to my new lot to see my operation, get me registered and certified on their system. So my original plan of only doing furnace wood is totally gone out the window, but this new opportunity has come from it. Like I said, I won’t need to rent your lot anymore. Sorry about that. I’ve still got a bit of wood up there that I probably won’t get to picking up for at least another month.
As well, when I was away an old friend from school turned up and gave me a hand with running my business while I was gone. He’s not very experienced but is very eager to learn and has good skills at being a foreman. I was very impressed and decided to hire him full time. I don’t really need the help right now but I will next year so I wanted to make sure I snagged him. Plus I’m getting the grass cutting going again as well as continuing the hedge trimming. I’m going to do less tree removals in the city and spend more time on the firewood. I’m going to do a little bit of local snow blowing this winter too.
It’s taken a while but I’ve finally found my niche, my goal is to grow a little but not to the point where all I do is price jobs and do paperwork, I love the work and that’s what I want to keep doing!
Talk to you soon.
Chris Mulligan
613-513-6493
www.mulliganspropertymaintenance.com”