Kings business best recognized

BY KIRK STARRATT

Kings County Register

The 13th annual Kings County Business Awards was local businesses’ night to shine.

The Eastern Kings Chamber of Commerce hosted the awards banquet at the Old Orchard Inn Nov. 8.

Peter Muttart and George Moody were presented with lifetime achievement awards by Peter Nathanson of Forse Nathanson.

Among Muttart’s myriad accomplishments, he began his legal career in Kentville in the late 1960s and co-founded the law firm now known as Muttart, Tufts, DeWolfe and Coyle in 1973. He has advised countless businesses, been a business owner, is a former Port Williams village commissioner, is the chairman of VON Kings and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship from the Kentville Rotary Club. Many people would recognize him as the voice of the Rotary auction.

Son Geoff said his father always finds time for his family, who are very proud of him, and perhaps his greatest impact on the business community in Eastern Kings County has been through his extensive volunteer efforts.

Among many other accomplishments in the fields of education, politics and business, Moody served as Kings West MLA for 21 years, was a teacher, serves on the board of governors for the Nova Scotia Community College, is the co-owner of Berwick Heights Golf Course, helped turn the former Avon Foods plant into an industrial park and played a key role in the restructuring of Scotian Gold.

ACE Insulators won the outstanding new business award. Co-owner Andrea Reid said they want to use their business as a means to help protect and preserve the environment. Other nominees included Beleaf Salon and Spa, Boston Pizza, Breeze Bridal and Formal Wear, the Coldbrook Village Pub, Herbal Magic Weight Loss and Nutrition Centre, Saraj Bakery and Saucey Strides Shoes and Accessories.

Park Street Dental Clinic won the outstanding small business award.

“It’s an honour to be nominated, but to win is awesome,” Trevor Archibald said. “You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with.”

Other nominees included Aqua Valley Water, Bosveld’s Fruit Farm, Farmer John’s Herbs, First Choice Kitchens, Freedom Financial Services, Invisible Fence of Nova Scotia, Lazy Brook Farm, Prime Mortgage and Financial Group and Stork’s Landing.

Scotian Gold Co-operative won the outstanding large business award. President and CEO David Cudmore said this year marks the business’s 50th year in the Valley.

“It’s an honour to receive this award,” he said, pointing out he works for the best, most innovative apple producers in Eastern Canada.



Success not ‘rolling around naked in money’



Commit yourself to what you do well, and then find a way to do it even better.

That was the message for success from guest speaker Fred Connors.

Connors, recently featured on the cover of Progress Magazine, said he was beaten up for hosting fashion shows and circuses when he was a kid. However, when he procured the former Agricola Street Scotiabank building, he said he enlisted dozens of volunteers and drew on the skills set of many people to raise $15,000 for the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia by hosting a circus.

He said he thought, by combining things he’s good at in the neighbourhood he lived in, and by making a luxury experience available to people, the idea would catch on - and it did.

“Why does small business take so much?” he said, pointing out, as a hairdresser and a good cook who likes art, he was screwed.

“I had to sell my house.”

Connors went to New York City to solicit brands to create a full-service beauty destination. However, the brands thought he was too small. He went instead to cosmetic manufacturers and had them develop a line for him, products that now compete against established brands across Canada and the United States.

Connors, born in the Valley, said he thinks what made his business successful is a client-centered operation. They’ve aligned themselves with community organizations to bring services to people who might not enjoy the benefits of a luxury experience.

“Taking it to the community level has made it successful,” he said.

It wasn’t until he bought the bank building Connors considered himself a businessman, even though he has been in business for 22 years as a stylist. He said he has yet to have that “rolling around naked in money” moment.

“Take what you’re passionate about, do it well - then commit yourself to making it better.”