Joshua Langston and Dawson MacIsaac relished the opportunity to meet thousands of potential customers on the weekend.
The two young entrepreneurs are both Student Works owner-operators, with Langston operating a painting service and MacIsaac offering windows and eaves cleaning in P.E.I.
However, the two put aside their cleaning tools and paint brushes and were instead handing out business cards to the thousands who went through the P.E.I. Provincial Home Show in Charlottetown’s Eastlink Centre over the weekend.
“It’s been going really well… it’s been awesome, really,” said MacIsaac. “This is my first time (as a vendor) at the home show.”
The home show offered a place where the two could meet both potential customers as well as employees.
Langston and MacIsaac both started as Student Works owner-operators within the past year, with the company aiming to provide university and college students with some valuable experience while also offering a high-quality service to homeowners.
It also provides employment for other students. Langston and MacIsaac both now manage two employees each and expect there to be more job opportunities in the summer months.
“It’s a program to help encourage young Canadians to become business leaders and help us build our resumes… they’re helping us bridge the gap (between university and a career),” said Langston, who also felt the show was a good experience. “I’ve never done anything like this before but it’s going well and it’s super busy, it’s a great networking opportunity… there is a lot of people looking for work to be done.”
Whether homeowners were looking for exterior or interior work, the P.E.I. Provincial Home Show offered a little something for everybody.
Billed as a one-stop home and garden solution, Eastlink Centre was packed with exhibitors focusing on kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing, flooring, home security, heating, ventilation, landscaping and more.
This year’s show also included P.E.I. on the Move, which offered products that catered to outdoor hobbies and sports.
After attending the show for the past several years, Mara MacCormick said she felt this year had the most to offer in terms of variety.
“It seems like there is more here this year. And also more innovative ideas,” said MacCormick, pointing to the prominence of sustainable and energy-efficient products and technology at the show. “P.E.I. is really moving forward in building practices.”
Damien Packwood, of damien Morris Designs, was another first-time vendor at the show and had the only booth specifically focused on interior design.
Packwood said while Friday was a little slower due to the weather, the rest of the weekend was extremely busy.
“(Saturday) was packed and Sunday was packed. I booked a ton of appointments and some new house builds, it was definitely worth it,” he said.
Having started his business last June, Packwood said the show was a good way to connect with both customers and suppliers.
“I really enjoyed it. It was fun, lots of networking and making great connections,” said Packwood, noting that he’ll be crossing the date for next year’s show off his calendar. “I’ll definitely be back next year. I think I’ll get a bigger booth.”
The show also saw a portion of proceeds donated to Special Olympics P.E.I.
Twitter.com/Mitch_PEI
