When you treat your staff and customers like family, the rewards will follow.
That first and foremost family approach played a significant role in Sooke Home Hardware’s selection as Business of the Year by the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce, says store manager Terry Eriksen.
“The store’s owners, the Gertsma family, treat us very well,” she said. “Every one here highly respects them, and we try to share that with our customers. From the moment you walk through the door you’re treated like family, and we all try and share that with our customers.”
Eriksen noted that many of the store’s more than 70 staff also love the fact they’ve had the same customers for their entire career.
“We’ve grown up with our customers, and in some cases we’re assisting their kids or their grandchildren, and Linda is one of our biggest assets (in that regard). Whether you come into the store on two legs or four, she probably knows your name and what you need.”
Linda Mayled, an assistant manager, has worked for Home Hardware for 44 years, the last 24 years at the Sooke location.
“What’s kept me here is I love the the business and the industry because it’s always changing,” she said. “And obviously my co-workers and customers are fantastic.
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Eriksen believes the hard work of everyone during the four-plus years she’s managed the store has built a strong management team capable of handling all situations, which promotes a strong sense of self-worth for everyone who works there.
“We hear from customers all the time that there’s lots of people here to help them,” she said. “We have staff 14 to 84 years of age on the team, and having seniors and youth working together has built a strong mentoring program.”
That has resulted in a situation that fosters a healthy exchange of ideas, added Liam Walsh, the lumber yard manager for the past 16 years.
“I started here when I was fresh out of high school,’” Rhea Artindale added. “I was going to work for a year and then go to college to pursue other options. I found as I moved up and learned things that I really enjoyed working here. It’s the management and staff that’s kept me here for six years, and it’s never dull or boring.”
The entire staff takes pride in supporting many organizations and individuals in the community, including the Legion, Rotary Club and Sooke Food Bank, to name a few.
“We do our best to help anyone who comes through the door and asks for our support,” Mayled explained.
Eriksen said everyone was surprised by the win at the Sooke Business Excellence Awards on Nov. 18.
“We were giving out high fives just for being nominated,” she said.” It’s pretty exciting.”
