Stead said they started with the minerals and salt, pet food, fencing supplies, veterinary supplies – for livestock farmers to begin with. Wrap and silage sheets became staples. Business kept moving forward, with more products added as time went on, covering much of the agricultural supply market. Over time, they expanded elsewhere.
One was homeopathic products. Stead said he had been talking to someone from England who was involved in these products for animals, and though he was not sure about them, he had some samples sent over. He remembered Ron Turner being the first to buy some homeopathic medicine for ringworm in cattle and it worked. This happened a few times and so they expanded into more natural products, which have been successful. Over time, they began expanding into people-oriented items, like vitamins and natural pain relievers. Daughter Hazel Stead-Thorne is the head of that part of the operation.
She is also the brainchild of the greenhouse. They decided to go this direction as they were selling a few things from Stead-Thorne’s greenhouse at Shilo, and wanted to go bigger. The majority of the plants are grown at the home place, and it makes a busy time when they are all ready, but it has become a vital part of the business. It is busier every year, with bedding plants, perennials, vegetables, fruit trees and all of the associated soils and products.
In fact, everything has become busier. Stead remembered the earlier days when there were very few people through the door. As time went on, they developed a strong business, covering a large area stretching into Saskatchewan and North Dakota.
“It’s been a lot of work, but I have to say one of the reasons we’ve been so successful is we have always had great staff. In retail business, staff can make or break you.”
One of the more recent changes has been a family one. Daughter Ann Stokes is now the owner, having taken over the business a few years ago. As stated, she has been part of the business from day one. She went to ACC in Brandon, taking business and completed her second year. Her parents asked if she would be willing to come work for them. She said yes, and for the first few years she was by herself in the store a great deal as the only paid person.
Stokes said her role has not changed too much over the years, just with more added as they have grown. It is not uncommon for her to take work home with her. However, she enjoys coming to work, particularly with the staff they have. She says she does not look at herself as a boss at all, but one part of a team.
That team for now includes son Matthew, who does deliveries. Stokes said he is involved for now, and only the future will tell if the business will continue with the third generation.
Stokes said she would like to continue growing the business, although storage is always an issue. It is obvious to any observer they have maximized their space now. They keep adding small amounts of new products, trying different things. There are always the days where she wonders why she is doing it, but then the next day customers come in for the first time full of compliments for the business. Thirty years means a lot to her as well.
“I’m very proud of it, that we’ve made it 30 years,” Stokes said. “At the start, there were days I just sat there and said ‘please someone come in the store and buy something.’ But like dad said, I’m a big believer in customer service and I believe our staff has made the store as well. They are so welcoming to people. I think that’s a huge part of what has made us successful.”
Stead himself still enjoys working at the business they founded all those years ago, even in a more casual role. Diane retired a few years ago, but he plans to continue as long as he can. He likes meeting people and said one of the keys is respect. If you treat people with respect, they will show it in return. The daughters value his enthusiasm and expertise in different areas. Stokes said they work well together, bouncing ideas off of each other and trading off jobs. It is a model that works and one the family can continue to build on.
“When I come in here and it’s busy, it’s a nice feeling,” Stead said. “I get that thought in my head ‘we developed this, our family did it.’ It’s a family thing.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff