I scream, we all scream….

HUNTSVILLE - It seems odd to me that council and the newspaper would devote so much time and space to debating the tender process and selection for the lease of the seasonal little cabin on the main street. The debate centred on which of two proposals should have the space: The Nutty Chocolatier or Belly Ice Cream.
While I am a huge fan of the Nutty Chocolatier and appreciate their commitment to the downtown core, I look at this from a much larger and broader perspective.
Huntsville council and residents must look to the bigger picture. In order to create jobs and year round employment, we must look to businesses that create. In the last 50 years our ability to increase production helped many companies scale growth. In the new economy our future may be based on our ability to scale innovation. Maybe job creation is also related to our scaling ability.
Belly Ice Cream, had someone done their homework, is a company scaling growth right now, and could be the next big thing in Huntsville. Shelly’s product is talked about in culinary circles nationally. Her innovative combinations of ice cream flavours and natural ingredients have found homes in The Ritz Hotel to Mark McKewan’s and Whole foods and Loblaws could be next.
What does all this have to do with a tiny $2,000 lease on Main Street? Jobs. If council looked at the lease from an entrepreneurial perspective, they would see this business, and the sheer passion and determination of this entrepreneur, could be a business that creates jobs, as it scales national sales. I see a need as Shelly grows her business for larger space to create her product, sales people, administrative people, accounting staff etc. Council should be looking at supporting businesses that will grow.
Belly Ice Cream opened their little cabin on the long weekend. I had visitors from Toronto who drove downtown to try the ice cream, and yes they went shopping afterwards and they actually went to the Nutty Chocolatier!
I have recently returned from Atlanta where 600 female presidents of companies participated in the Women’s President Organization conference. Key note speakers included Jim Collins (From Good to Great) and Gena Davis (the actress). Jim talked about leadership and what makes a great company. Gena talked about women in business and the barriers we have to overcome. Remember only 17 per cent of women are represented in government and senior business roles. It will take 500 years to reach parity at the rate we are going, yet 50 per cent of all new business creations are started by women.
I relate this conference to this article as the speakers’ highlights were that to be successful one has to possess innovation, passion, select the right people, have confidence, discipline, know the big ideas, where to place your bets and know what can kill your business.
As the summer season begins, we must all look to business innovation and ways in which companies can be attracted to Huntsville and local innovation in organically grown businesses can be supported. The great innovators and the next job creators could be students at the high school, who have applied for a grant to start a new business or a chef creating gourmet ice cream.
I am an entrepreneur. I buy and/or manage hotels and resorts. What I do possess is the ability to look at the long-term big picture when shaping a vision whether it’s an acquisition opportunity or it’s re-positioning a property. In my opinion, councillors must do the same thing. Look long-term, big picture. Councillors are leaders in our community, which is no different than being a business leader. The focus is on growing revenues and reducing costs. With high taxes, barriers to development, and a need to lower unemployment, our councillors must focus their attention on the creation of unique way s to support and attract growth business owners to our region and explore new ways of looking at opportunities.
They must think more like the Dragon’s Den or Shark Tank and less like This Hour has 22 Minutes. Instead of Shelly from Belly Ice Cream being told a decision could be made that could reverse her lease opportunities; they should act like a team, and throw their support to the decision, which was made. The decision should not be on what you have done for the town through your business, but what your business may do in future for job creation and/ or branding.
The world is the oyster in the market today, and from simple ideas and products can come big BHAG (big, hairy, audacious goals) if one has the ability to dream, the passion to create, and the discipline to grow.
Five to 10 years from now when Shelly’s Belly Ice Cream employs 100 to 200 people in a production facility, I hope she chooses to keep her business in Huntsville. I hope the newspaper devotes a full page to the story of how I screamed, we all screamed, for ice cream.
Summer is arriving. Those brief three months where most businesses in the region will generate 80 percent of their sales, most of which will cover their losses this winter. I wish you all success and innovation, innovation in marketing, in your product, in your services, and the discipline and passion to overcome the various barriers you face in your day-to-day business. Dream big, and create your goals now.
Anne Larcade lives in Huntsville with her two sons aged 15 and 21. She is the president and COO of Sequel Hotels and Resorts, which manages hotels and resorts throughout Canada, and is based here in Huntsville. She is a well known speaker and has appeared in national media, television and radio on subjects such as tourism, services and rights for severely challenged children, and on leadership values and culture in business.

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