The only reason I’m not buying Heritage shades and shutters, is because
I don’t want to be effectively shielded from owner Mark Tizya’s
contagious enthusiasm and inspiration. Talking with Mark about his
vision, I watched it come into focus like a long wave rolling towards a
sandy beach, gaining momentum from conception to the successful
achievement of now to the legacy intended for his fellow visionaries,
Mark’s family and employees. Heritage is justifiably proud of their two
showroom locations, manufacturing plant and entrepreneur of the year
award that, less than two years ago, only existed in the mind of a
competitor’s employee.
Three years ago, Mark and his wife
Deneen worked in tandem operating a similar business for another owner.
“It was a good company,” Mark says, “but it started going downhill.
They lost touch with their vision, but I was already sold on it. Deneen
and I saw a good opportunity to be independent, to build something
where everyone wins. We knew what people wanted-good customer service,
delivering what we say on time or early, and the best warranty in the
industry. If we were going to do it, we had to do it now, but banks
wouldn’t give us a loan until our business survived for two years.”
“If it wasn’t for
TACC,” Mark sighs with relief, “we never would have got off the ground.
TACC looked at our experience in the industry and the potential of our
business plan. They deal with people, not entities. I can’t say enough
about them, they really helped!” With capital secured, the enterprising
couple threw open the doors of their vision on February 1, 2004. They
didn’t know at the time, but it wouldn’t be long before they repeated
the ritual at a second location.
“We
planned to open a second location in three years,” Mark says, “but we
wanted to cut the wait time down for our customers and none of our
manufacturers could do that. We went back to TACC, got some help and
redid our plan. Three months later, we opened our second location and
started manufacturing!”
Mark
and Deneen’s vision became their mission statement: Heritage Shade and
Shutter provides proven products, punctual service, fair pricing and a
positive customer service experience. And when the time came to revisit
and revamp their vision, “I think we only removed two redundant words,”
chuckles Mark. But the pursuit of a vision always tests the will of the
visionary.
During
the most challenging time for Heritage, “we owed $80 000 in wages and
inventory. It was very stressful,” Mark laments. “I thought about
quitting a hundred times. You put your word out there, problems arise,
and you don’t deliver what you said. But I realized that nothing works
out 100%. You just solve the problems, and when you overcome them it
provides you with satisfaction. You’ll feel on top of things at the end
of the day.”
Never
losing sight of their vision, Mark and Deneen persevered. “It felt
right! I have really enjoyed it,” says Mark. “It shouldn’t be a
constant fight, and we had several things fall into place, like
exceeding our projections by 25 percent! It’s very rewarding.”
With
my own visions now stirring, the hounds of success nip at my heels,
urging me to discover Mark’s advice for others who have a persistent
vision. “It has to come from you! Living your vision is the difference
between succeeding and not. Go to TACC, get a business plan, fill it in
and take it to a business advisor,” he recommends. “You’ll also learn a
lot by failing… I have! This isn’t my first entrepreneurial venture,
but it’s the most successful,” he says, quick to acknowledge the team
who shares his vision.
“We
have great customer service and a team of people embracing the vision…
and that’s what we need.” With his vision fulfilled, Mark looks to grow
and nurture it in the future. He has wisely surrounded himself with
like-minded visionaries open to learning and bettering themselves on
their shared journey. Mark adeptly sums it up, “Our philosophy and our
team came together, and are working and growing together.”
Mark & Deneen Tizya
Heritage
Shade & Shutter
120 - 445 Mountain Hwy.
North Vancouver, BC
Canada V7J 2L1
Website: www.heritageshadeandshutter.com
E-mail:
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