Every entrepreneur I meet while pursuing the activities of our Entrepreneurs Society or conducting research for this column brings to me new excitement, knowledge and experience.
The joy I receive cannot be easily explained but offers a means to give of myself to others and at the same time enjoy the success of those valley entrepreneurs who embrace positive change in their lives.
Earlier this year, my daughter insisted I visit a quaint consignment shop in Kelowna, with the catchy name—Furniture Heaven.
So, on a day out with my wife I went and was truly amazed by the wonderful pieces of quality furniture products, home décor items and particularly, the congenial demeanour of the sales staff.
“We’ll be back” resonated in my mind searching rapidly for a legitimate excuse to visit again in a more buying mindset.
Well, as we all know only too well, sometimes things are meant to be. I received an email from Glo McKinnon, proprietor of Furniture Heaven, who drew reference to one of my columns and to which I quickly complimented her on her store and the positive words I had been hearing from acquaintances.
Shortly thereafter, I entered Furniture Heaven on Banks Road east, in Kelowna, quite early before any of you remotely began your day and upon entering the store was overwhelmed with the beautiful furniture display at the entrance. Glo McKinnon met me, offered me an early morning coffee and our visit began.
The world is not that large folks and Glo informed me she was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, had two entrepreneurial sisters and parents who were in the music industry business with her mother having a television show in Saskatoon in the past. (Guess where I moved from to the Okanagan)
Glo took a business course and entered the secretarial world finally deciding on the Okanagan when she was 29 years old. She had then entered the furniture sales world at Sears where her passion for decorating and entrepreneurship took root. While working at Sears, she excelled in its “Whole Home University” course specializing in interior design. She then tacked the federal government’s Community Futures Business Plan Program, arriving at the crossroad of becoming an Okanagan entrepreneur.
Glo launched her dream venture in February 2002, Furniture Heaven, with the tag line that I think is priceless “ Upscale Home Furnishings at Gently-Used Prices” With her love of entrepreneurship, she quickly became a nominee for Rising Star Awards at the 17th annual Business Awards in 2005 in Kelowna.
Her son Scott has joined his mother in the mix and with his experience in marketing, advertising and graphic design ads a powerful punch to the mother-son entrepreneurial imagery of this venture.
Scott is a sculptor and professional magician and is involved in many valley-wide events and occasions bringing joy and laughter to all whom he touches with his skills.
Alright Valley consumers and appreciators of the entrepreneurial dream machine, time to check out the over 5,000-square- feet of showrooms of Furniture Heaven at 435 Banks Rd. East in Kelowna and discover your new home décor treasure plus you can exam this venture via Castanet, their web site at www.FurnitureHeaven.net and be mindful that referral are Glo and Scott’s best promotional highway.
So whether you have furniture you are ready to part with or you are looking for that special unique item as the “forever” item, I encourage you to visit Furniture Heaven and don’t hesitate to ask Glo about her thoughts on your home decorating ideas.
She focuses the abundance of her skills on servicing the customer in her store and takes considerable pride in having you enjoy the experience as a Furniture Heaven customer and this fact has remained quite fixed in my mind as I examine my next purchase.
