Charlie Clark named Brandon Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year Award. Maybe not your typical story of a guy starting a small insurance business and then some 30 years later having a tech business with over 100 employees and growing by the minute.  But in fact this is what Charlie Clark has done. Thursday night at the Keystone Centre Charlie was presented with Business Person of the Year and  feeling a bit humbled by the experience is how he would describe it best. To get from Point A to Z the timeline of Charlie Clark is an interesting one.  In the early 80’s he had an insurance business and with the assistance of his brother he helped Charlie write code to streamline his business.  “The computer had 2 floppy drives and a green screen monitor and the cost was $10,095.00”.  He admits “ I had no idea to even how to turn the things on”  However the code that he and his brother had written helped double sales.  Progression started towards technology in his life as he then assisted Computerland on Rosser Ave. Then moving from the kitchen table to an office on 356 – 10th Street is where Microage was born.  The premise was to assist small and large business with memory upgrades and overall computer hardware and software assistance.  The business model continued to expand and then they had to step up and move to Princess Ave.  Former location of Microage on Princess Ave. The year was 1994 and Compusmart is where Charlie felt the computer business was booming. Charlie said” people would buy a $5000.00 computer and I would make 30 percent margin….. 9 years later the average sale was $1500.00 with a 10% margin”  Bidding on Gov’t jobs was cat and mouse “ we would bid below our cost to hopefully get the job because by the time we got the job the prices would have come down and we could still make some profit”.  In 1997 Charlie sold his shares in Compusmart and then started Infometrics.  Compusmart on Rosser in the early 2000's “ I didn’t understand why people were really paying 5000 dollars for a computer without having Internet access or availability”  So in 2004 it was the turning point without a question as he purchased what is called SPECTRUM.  The best way to explain it is like a radio station used 94.3 to broadcast their signal to the public.  However after winning the auction for the spectrum he went to his wife Laurel and now current GM and business partner Tami - Rae Rourke Clements office and said "HEY I NEED A CHEQUE.  We couldn’t use or sell the spectrum until 2008.  So needless to say a gamble at the time that has seen huge rewards. “ We have purchased much more spectrum over the years and will continue to acquire more because it is like land they don’t make it any more” Future is bright as NetSet has 150 towers in Manitoba and another 45 being added as we speak.  Charlie’s father thought he was crazy moving to their current location on Douglas with 10,000 square feet.  Charlie said “ my father said we would never use the space and now today we are moving to a new building with 20,000 square feet.  NetSet is expanding dealers in Manitoba and their offices in Winnipeg and Eastern Manitoba. Current location on Douglas A huge asset for Charlie was the day he hire

Hard to imagine it was only 10 years ago Riley Day was suiting up in the WHL for the Medicine Hat Tigers and Brandon Wheat Kings.   And last night Riley, and his brother Spencer, won the award for Best New Business in Brandon as chosen by the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. The easy question is were you surprised picking up the hardware?  “Always surprised that we were nominated and voted in by our peers ….. Shocked and humbled it was a great day for our company" said Day. Some people have said you guys have a monopoly is that accurate?  “ No wouldn’t call it a monopoly we have 5 or 6 companies we compete with. We provide products and service that no one else can we offer.” Marketing is important and from what I can see you guys have a very modern approach.  “We present ourselves as professional as possible, with our clothing, and our white vans….we have set goals early on and stuck beside our branding and imaging." Good The Bad The Ugly working with family?   “We have a unique relationship and we strive to be superior on a daily basis….. Me and Spencer never have crazy blowups or fights.” How do you see the future?  “ Don’t believe in stopping growth or being happy with what we have we will work hard each day to set the bar higher” Riley Day is the Co Owner of Progressive Sanitation in Brandon

The local restaurant scene continues to heat up as the much-anticipated new restaurant, Fired, opened for business on February the 2nd in Brandon. The brand-new restaurant, specializing in, you guessed it, wood-fired pizza will focus on authentic, ingredient-driven 9-inch and 13-inch pizzas made from a wood fired pizza oven firing at 750 degrees. Pizzas here are formed, topped and expertly fired in a matter of minutes. Their pizza toppings range from the classic Margherita with fresh basil to chef-inspired variants such as a fire roasted chicken, red onion, basil pesto, bruschetta, and feta cheese pizza. The menu also contains an array of made-to-order offerings including wood-fired cheese sticks, Korean meatballs, a 6 cheese Mac-n-Cheese, and a Spicy Avocado & Sriracha Burrito. Sandwiches include the Turkey & Feta Chipotle Panini comprised of whiskey turkey, cucumber, roasted red peppers, spinach, goat & feta cheeses, and a chipotle aioli. Fish lovers will certainly enjoy their Baha Pickerel Tacos with slaw, Cajun pickerel, pickled red onions, and a Baja sauce. Location: Unit 4, 2430 Victoria Ave Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11am – 12am Friday & Saturday 11am – 2am

ACE Kitchen Supply opened on March the 15th and are looking to fill the restaurant small wares equipment market for the Brandon and Westman area. Owner Derek Woychyshyn said that he started the business as there was a hole left in the market with the closing of the local Sobeys Cash & Carry. The newly opened store will be stocking paper portion control for restaurants as well as kitchen supplies like Saran Wrap, portion bags, aluminum foil, food service gloves, straws, & take out items to name just a few. There will be a wide variety of restaurant kitchen utensils, storage containers, assorted pans for cooking, table wares and chef clothes plus many more items. A major focus will be on the basic items most kitchens will need for food production. They plan to stock enough product so that customers can pop in and walk out with things they need the same day eliminating the need to order and wait. You won't need to be a restaurant to shop here as well. All Westman residents are more than welcome to browse the restaurant quality items for their home use. If you are planning a social, you'll want to stop in, as they will be caring many items associated with putting on a successful social. ACE Kitchen Supply is located downtown at 1325 Princess Ave. There is street parking out front along with 2 parking spots in the rear. Business hours: Monday to Friday: 8 am to 4 pm Saturdays: 9am to 1pm Sundays: closed Ace Kitchen Supply 1325 Princess Ave Brandon, Mb. Phone: 204-717-4ACE (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});  

A new security and automation business, Westman Security & Automation, has opened in Brandon. They will be offering the standard installation and service of alarms, high def CCTV , access control, audio systems (public address, intercom and whole home audio) and residential/small business automation. Camera systems can be hardwired as well as wireless. Westman Security & Automation will be offering 24hr monitoring of alarm (burglar and fire) and environmental such as CO2, high water, low temperature, and smoke. Owner/Operator Darren Hossack said their new main focus on security will be to have the security system also act as a money/energy saver for your house, or business, by actually lowering the thermostat and turning lights off when the alarm is set for away arming. It will also lock your door and send notification signals to your phone when this happens. They also can have the main water line shut off via one of their RF controlled valves when any kind of water is detected where it shouldn't be. For additional information on this new business please visit their website: http://www.westmansecurity.ca/