Special Features - Profiles of Excellence

Profilesg r e a t e r V i c t o r i a

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g r e a t e r V i c t o r i a Profiles o F e x c e l l e n c e

Oliver Sommer, Advertising Sales Director; Penny Sakamoto, Group Publisher Greater Victoria; Kevin Laird, Editorial Director; and Bruce Hogarth, Circulation Director.

Welcome to the fourth edition of the Black Press Profiles of Excellence, a celebration of the Capital Region’s diverse and vibrant business community.

Profiling select business leaders from throughout Greater Victoria, find inside the stories of these outstanding experts in their fields – members of the investment, finance, insurance and retirement planning sectors, law, real estate, marketing and design. Celebrated businesses include nationally recognized hearing and dental specialists based

right here in Victoria; a leader in laser eye surgery, a local funeral provider known for his commitment to his clients, and a successful furniture company proving that good business does indeed cross generations.

Together we celebrate these thriving local businesses whose success is rooted in their commitment to quality, customer service and community, but whose growth comes from their entrepreneurial spirit.

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Group Publisher: Penny SakamotoAdvertising Director Greater Victoria: Oliver Sommer

Special Project Consultant: Joann KiefPhotography: Arnold Lim

Feature Writer: Jennifer BlythDesign: Lily Chan and Teresa Laird

818 Broughton StreetVictoria, British Columbia V8W 1E4

250.381.3484www.blackpress.ca

Our next edition of Profiles of Excellence is being planned now. For advertising inquiries please contact:

Oliver Sommer at [email protected]

inside this issue

Black Press Greater Victoria ........................................................................... 2

Fisgard Capital Corporation .......................................................................... 4-5

Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty .............................................................. 6-7

Bowes Insurance and Financial Inc. ............................................................. 8-9

Wilson Marshall Law Corporation .............................................................. 10-11

Go West Design Group Inc. ........................................................................12-13

Dr. Jamie Kaukinen Inc. ..............................................................................14-15

C.A.R.E Funeral Services (Vancouver Island) Ltd. .....................................16-17

King LASIK ..................................................................................................18-19

Connect Hearing ........................................................................................ 20-21

Generation Furniture .................................................................................22-23

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Founder and CEO Wayne Strandlund with Hali Strandlund, President, Fisgard Capital Corporation

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Wayne strandlund and Hali strandlund, Fisgard caPital corPoration

It’s local people, local decisions and local investments when you are dealing with our team at Fisgard.

Wayne Strandlund Founder and CEO

Hali Strandlund President/Business Development

Fisgard Capital Corporation 3378 Douglas Street Victoria, BC V8Z 3L3

Phone 250-382-9255 Toll Free 866-382-9255 Fax 250-384-1498 Email [email protected] www.fisgard.com

Family, community, respect and reputation.

These are the four cornerstones that form the foundation of Fisgard Capital Corporation. Encompassing mortgage investments, mortgage lending and real estate, “we strive for excellence in all three areas,” says Hali Strandlund, Fisgard Capital’s President. By working together with both its investment and mortgage clients, Fisgard is able to create a symbiotic relationship that works for all.

The success of that approach is evident in the company’s growth through the years. “We’re the largest private mortgage investment corporation (MIC) in Western Canada – right here in Victoria,” says Hali, who is joined in the office each day by her two brothers, Jason and Rafer, along with several other family members who each bring a unique area of expertise to the family business. They’ve each found their niche that serves the family company – and their clients – well.

At the helm is Fisgard Capital’s Founder and CEO Wayne Strandlund, who launched the Fisgard group of companies in 1994 following a successful career in real estate, land development and private mortgage lending that began in the late 1960s. That longevity goes a long way to building trust and confidence in the Fisgard name. “We have investors who have been with Dad, and now Fisgard, since he started in business in 1968,” Hali notes. “Our record of performance, honesty and integrity is second to none.

“We are primarily a short-term equity lender. We provide fair, flexible and creative residential and commercial

mortgage solutions for local borrowers,” Hali explains.

“While borrowers may approach Fisgard for shorter-term mortgage solutions, the positive experience they enjoy often brings them back as investors,” Hali points out. “It’s a big circle and a win-win for everyone involved.

‘‘It’s local people, local decisions and local investments when you are dealing with our team at Fisgard.”

When clients walk through the doors at Fisgard, they’re working with generations of experience in real estate valuation, the underlying security of the Fisgard investment, and an in-depth knowledge of the local and national real estate and mortgage lending markets.

“Providing a secure investment with reasonable returns to our investors is paramount and our number one priority,” Hali says, but adds, “we are also proud to continue the family and corporate tradition of supporting local charities, music, arts and athletic groups.”

Major supporters of the community, Fisgard has lent its support to the Victoria Symphony’s Beethoven Festival and Symphony Splash, the Victoria Royals’ Fisgard Family Fun Zone and fundraisers such as the MS Kick for the Cure and the Mustard Seed, along with numerous local sports teams.

“We give back to the community as much as we can and each year we continue to increase this involvement and strive to do more,” says Sonny Strandlund, Fisgard’s Marketing and IT Manager. “This involvement is at the heart of the company and is intrinsic to who we are.”


Cheryl Laidlaw, Realtor, and Andrea Knight-Ratcliff, Realtor, Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty

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cHeryl laidlaW and andrea knigHt-ratcliFF,royal lePage coast caPital realty

It doesn’t matter if you’re buying a one-bedroom condo or selling a $2 million property, everybody deserves the same level of service.

Cheryl Laidlaw, REALTOR® Personal Real Estate Corporation Email [email protected]

Andrea Knight-Ratcliff, REALTOR® Email [email protected]

Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty 132B – 2945 Jacklin Road Victoria, BC V9B 5E3

Phone 250-474-4800 Fax 250-474-7733 www.LKRrealtors.com

From the significant financial implications to the myriad rules and regulations, there’s little doubt that buying or selling a home can be one of life’s most stressful events.

But with the right professionals, it doesn’t have to be that way.

“Our goal is to make buying and selling a positive, simple, stress-free transaction,” explains realtor Cheryl Laidlaw, with Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty.

Of course, when you find someone else who shares your vision and philosophy, combining your talents can offer clients an even better experience, and that’s exactly the approach Laidlaw and fellow realtor Andrea Knight-Ratcliff have taken in their recent partnership. Not only do both take a personal, customer-first approach to their clients, but both also have a wealth of experience in other facets of the real estate industry. Both women have a background as legal assistants specializing in real estate – Laidlaw went from there to real estate and Knight-Ratcliff became a mortgage specialist with RBC where the two of them worked closely together and were able to provide a “total experience” for many mutual clients.

In the community, Laidlaw is consistently a Top Donor to the national Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, which supports the Greater Victoria Women’s Shelter Society, Cridge Centre for the Family, Sooke Transition House – Annie’s Place and Victoria Women’s Transition House. As an active person, Laidlaw also believes in making those

opportunities available for others and so supports Crossfit Vancouver Island’s kids’ programs, allowing the Belmont high school athletics department to access Crossfit Vancouver Island at a reduced rate.

Knight-Ratcliff is a director and treasurer of the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame, a great supporter of sports and family in the local community. An enthusiastic fitness buff, skier, kayaker and cyclist, you might also find her busy with the local lacrosse scene, often watching her stepsons Lewis and Cayle Ratcliff play.

Her background as a legal assistant and then as a mortgage lender provides expertise to support Laidlaw’s experience as a successful realtor with Royal LePage – a multiple MLS Silver and Gold Award winner, Laidlaw is also a three-time Royal LePage President’s Gold winner as well as a Director’s Platinum award winner.

The spirit and friendliness of Island life appeal to these two realtors and long-time residents – not to mention the numerous outdoor opportunities. In fact, when they’re not “on the job,” you’ll often find the avid hikers and kayakers exploring local trails and waters. But at the end of the day, it’s how their clients feel that is the true reward.

“We are so honoured that we are entrusted with and part of such a huge decision in someone’s life. There is nothing more heart-warming than handing keys to a buyer, or congratulating the seller when we put up the SOLD sign.”


Cindy Low, Licensed Independent Advisor, and Craig Butterfield, President, Bowes Insurance and Financial Inc.

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craig ButterField and cindy loW,BoWes insurance and Financial inc.As someone who has been involved in sports all his life, Craig Butterfield easily adopts a football analogy in describing the role Bowes Insurance and Financial plays for clients.

Like a quarterback guiding the play, drawing on the talents and expertise of those around him as needed, Butterfield calls upon two decades of experience and an extensive local knowledge to provide the best investment, small business and insurance guidance.

Raised in Victoria, this is Butterfield’s home; he understands the community and how it does business.

The connections Butterfield has forged also allow him to link his clients with other specialists, such as accountants or lawyers, who can be an integral part of their financial well-being. “We should all be on the same page, working together in the best interests of the client.”

When not at the office, Butterfield trains in Mixed Martial Arts and weight training, a passion pursued for more than 30 years, and he uses that expertise to mentor younger athletes. Outside the gym, he and his wife, Elise, enjoy a host of outdoor activities, from snowboarding to golf.

A big believer in continued education that allows him to remain current and relevant, Butterfield’s skills and training exceed all the requirements of the industry and licensing bodies. “Because Victoria is such a small town, if your business practices aren’t exceptional, you

will have a difficult time being successful.”

Joining Butterfield three years ago, associate Cindy Low is a licensed Independent Advisor. Also born and raised in Victoria, she graduated from UVic in 2006 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. She has an extensive business background with years of experience in the financial industry.

The two enjoy being truly independent in the products they’re able to recommend and how they conduct their business. “For us, the only person we’re loyal to is the client,” Butterfield explains.

“With over 20 years experience, Craig is a true Independent Advisor; a difference that has become unique in recent years. We’ve set ourselves up that way, so we can really provide the clients with what they need with no outside corporate influence,” Low notes.

As a small business owner himself, Butterfield is in a position to understand his clients’ needs, whether in protecting their business interests or in estate and succession planning.

And as a small business owner, he appreciates the value of a personal touch. With insurance companies, for example, “we’re not afraid to go to the mat on our clients’ behalf. We’re directly involved with claims – we’re hands-on and clients appreciate that.”

This boutique approach is important to both Butterfield and Low and intrinsic to the way they do business.

It allows us to monitor the quality of the services we offer our clients, and that’s very important to us.

Craig Butterfield President

Cindy Low Life Agent BCOM, LLQP

Bowes Insurance & Financial Inc. 164 White Pine Road Victoria, BC V9B 5E1

Phone 250-380-1835 Fax 250-380-1834 Email [email protected] www.bowesinsurance.com


From left to right: Robert (Bob) Vangenne (Prospective Articling Student), Almut N. Keil (Partner), Scott Marshall (Partner), Clare Marshall (Partner), David R. Wilson (Associate), Mark W. Hundleby (Associate). Not pictured: A. Douglas Macfarlane (Associate Counsel).

Photo taken at the Victoria Parkside Resort and Spa, with thanks.

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Wilson MarsHall laW corPoration, legal excellence grounded in coMMon sense

What sets us apart is our commitment to common sense and offering clients a pragmatic approach to their legal needs.

Scott Marshall Clare Marshall Almut N. Keil Owners / Partners

Wilson Marshall Law Corporation David R. Wilson Scott Marshall A. Douglas Macfarlane Clare Marshall Almut N. Keil Mark W. Hundleby Robert (Bob) Vangenne

200 – 911 Yates Street Victoria, BC V8V 4X3

Phone 250-385-8741 Fax 250-385-0433 Email [email protected] www.wilsonmarshall.com

It has been said that “common sense is not so common,” but at Wilson Marshall, “common sense is customary,” says lawyer Clare Marshall. The general practice firm was founded 35 years ago by David Wilson and Clare’s father, Scott Marshall. Back then, as now, “what sets us apart is our commitment to common sense and offering clients a pragmatic approach to their legal needs.”

That history and approach has earned Wilson Marshall not only respect in the community, but also loyalty from clients, whose recommendation of the firm passes to friends and through generations. “We are serving many of our clients’ children and grandchildren,” says Clare, noting that as a family business, Wilson Marshall understands the myriad of issues that clients face. “Our clients are primarily privately owned, often family businesses, and we’re here to do whatever they need to have done in both their professional and personal legal matters; not to mention providing service in German and Mandarin, if needed,” Scott says. “We’re very much client-oriented in that way.”

“Most of our clients are in Victoria and throughout Vancouver Island, however, even Vancouver businesses are using our services since they find they get more for their money when compared with legal services in Vancouver” notes Almut Keil, a lawyer at Wilson Marshall since 2008.

Clare and Almut are purchasing the practice allowing Scott, like David, who stepped down as partner last year, more time for travel and other pastimes. “The senior members of the firm are passing the torch to

the younger generation in terms of management and ownership of the firm but Scott, David, and Doug Macfarlane, who has been with the firm for 12 years, are staying on as associates to provide continuity in the practice” says Almut. Clients are confident in the firm’s expertise, whether in Business, E-Business, Real Estate Law, Employment Law, Civil Litigation, or Wills and Estates, and they benefit from the practical experience of the senior lawyers as well as the fresh thinking of the younger generation; including recently welcomed lawyer, Mark Hundleby and prospective articling student, Bob Vangenne.

Giving back to the community that has supported them for so long, Wilson Marshall undertakes some pro bono work and supports Children’s Hospital, a relationship forged through the experiences of a client whose child battled a rare cancer. Scott also supports Camosun College and serves on its Board of Governors.

For Almut, “Scott has been such a great mentor over the years.” Moving through the next phase of Wilson Marshall, those relationships will continue. “I am deeply proud of the business and the reputation that David and my father have built,” Clare says. “We look forward to building on that reputation in the next generation.” While retirement won’t be calling Scott anytime soon, as he plans to stay on as an associate for at least five years, Scott looks forward to handing over the day-to-day business to work more with clients – and perhaps squeeze in a little golf – knowing the business he and David founded more than three decades ago is in good hands.


Front row: President, Creative Director - Melinda Harris, PR and Media Specialist - Joan Athey Back row: Researcher and Writer - Stephanie Holmes, Graphic Designer and Illustrator - Johanna St. Michael, Go West Design Group

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Melinda Harris and teaM,go West design grouP inc.

When people ask me what our company does, I often say ‘We brand you, before you get labelled.’

Melinda Harris, Associate GDC President, Creative Director

Go West Design Group Inc. 3896 Rowland Avenue Victoria, BC V8Z 1Y1

Phone 250-383-5300 Cell 250-889-3195 Fax 250-383-5399 Email [email protected] www.gowestgroup.com Let’s Connect: /gowestgroup

Not many female business leaders have the kind of wide-ranging personal and professional experience that Victoria’s Melinda Harris has. The founder and president of Go West Design Group grew up in the rough and tumble world of Northern Vancouver Island. As a toddler, her father handed her a fishing rod, infusing her childhood with a life-long love of nature, exploration and adventure.

So it’s not surprising that she has found a satisfying career helping her many clients navigate their way through the ever-changing waters of marketing and advertising. She is a graduate of the progressive Sheridan College (Visual Art and Design) in Ontario.

“Of all the things I have learned in my 15 years managing my business, it is the value of branding. We specialize in brand development and management so that the product stands out in the marketplace. When people ask me what our company does, I often say ‘We brand you, before you get labelled,’” says Melinda Harris.

How does Go West accomplish that? Harris and her team are known for developing detailed marketing plans, which start with in-depth research into the company, its competitors and its clients. “We find what makes the company unique so that we can help them stand out from the crowd and increase their market share. We combine research and creativity to attract and persuade specific audiences. I love the psychology of it – determining what will motivate their target audience and show results on the bottom line.”

As an amateur soccer player, Harris knows how important it is to have a

highly skilled team behind her, each with their own area of specialty. As the Creative Director “I’m like a player/coach” she laughs. “And my team enjoys winning!” They are: PR and media specialist Joan Athey, researcher and writer Stephanie Holmes, graphic designer and illustrator Johanna St. Michael, social media expert Juhli Selby and accountant Maureen Butler.

Their collective skills allow them to maximize everything from traditional media to social media channels – building, maintaining and protecting their clients’ assets. And because their multi-faceted approach is all in-house, clients ranging from government ministries to small business are confident their needs are well-served efficiently and affordably. “I feel like my clients are family. Collaboration is important to us, as is trust.”

J.E. Anderson & Associates is one of Vancouver Island’s largest full-service engineering firms and a founding client of Go West. Says partner Jeff Tomlinson: “For 12 years Go West Design Group has provided us with strategy, graphic and website design, media releases, and a comprehensive marketing strategy. They are excellent at communicating with us to ensure our needs and expectations are met.”

“I love what I do,” says Harris. “I have a passion to help people succeed. I ask how would I like to be served? How can I serve my clients best?” Harris is active in giving back to the community and can often be found fostering a stray cat for the Cat’s Cradle Rescue Society or helping out at the Saanich Volunteer Services Society.

C R E AT I V E S O L u T I O n S W I T H R E S O n A n C E .

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Dr. Jamie Kaukinen, Certified Specialist in Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry, DDS MS FRCD

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your sMile is our sPecialty,dr. JaMie kaukinen

We focus on providing a relaxed setting and the highest level of individualized, gentle care.

Dr. Jamie Kaukinen Certified Specialist in Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry DDS MS FRCD No Referrals Required

Dr. Jamie Kaukinen Inc. 15 – 1120 Yates Street Victoria, BC V8V 3M9

Phone 250-385-7511 Fax 250-385-1613 Email [email protected] www.drjamiekaukinen.com

Excellence in dentistry has been a long-standing tradition in the Kaukinen family. Throughout high-school and university, Dr. Jamie Kaukinen worked for his grandfather in his dental office and prosthetic laboratory. This experience led Jamie to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and pursue his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Toronto. Further training took him to the University of Michigan for specialty training and a Master of Science degree in Prosthodontics.

“I always knew I was going to be a dentist. It gives me the ability to help people and see them get dramatic results very quickly,” reflects Dr. Kaukinen, marking 20 years of practice here in Victoria. “For my patients who have found it impossible to eat or smile – it really does change their lives for the better.”

Dr. Kaukinen provides his patients with a unique experience. From start to finish, the ability to replace and rebuild worn and broken down teeth and create a beautiful smile can all be accomplished in-house. “From the 3D-CT scanner that produces detailed images of the jaw and teeth, to the CAD-CAM System in a state-of-the-art dental laboratory, all aspects of our patients’ treatment including dental and implant surgery can be completed in-office.”

Technology in dental implants has also advanced to the degree that a brand new, long-lasting, natural smile is not only possible, but possible quickly and with less down-time for the patient. “The development of minimally invasive treatments is a great advancement,”

Dr. Kaukinen remarks. “There is minimal discomfort and faster healing, with dental implants; it’s like getting your own teeth back again.”

Dr. Kaukinen and his highly trained technicians provide dental restorations including ceramic crowns, fixed bridges, dentures and implant-supported replacement teeth that are custom designed and fabricated in their in-house dental laboratory. “What sets us apart the most is our ability to provide teeth in a day, because we have the facilities, technology, training and experience.”

For patients apprehensive about their procedure, Dr. Kaukinen offers sedation; although the relaxing home-like setting and the staff’s friendly approach goes a long way to making patients feel at ease. “We focus on providing a relaxed setting and the highest level of individualized, gentle care.”

Dr. Kaukinen is a recognized specialist in prosthodontics and implant dentistry, frequently lecturing to dentists throughout North America. He is also a consultant to the British Columbia Cancer Agency in prosthodontics and maxillofacial prosthetics. Through his desire to support future students, Dr. Kaukinen has created a scholarship at the University of British Columbia for those specializing in prosthodontics. “We want to encourage and support the students, the program and the future of the specialty in BC.”

Dr. Kaukinen … a Victoria Dentist dedicated to creating world class smiles. New patients are always welcome without a referral.

Dr. Jamie Kaukinen


Sharon Passas (with Petie), Owner Bill Buckley (with Lizzie) and Lawrence Buckley, C.A.R.E Funeral Services

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Bill and laWrence Buckley, WitH sHaron Passas, c.a.r.e Funeral services

“The services following the death of a loved one should not cost a small fortune; having said that, it is C.A.R.E’s intention that families should expect and receive nothing less than the best service we are capable of providing.”

It is that philosophy Bill Buckley embraced when he launched C.A.R.E Funeral Services more than two decades ago, and it continues to be the manner he and his staff take with each family they meet.

It’s a philosophy that resonates with their clients: “Making final arrangements is the last thing we can do for a loved one. Along with your professionalism, your ability to engage with the public in a relaxed atmosphere has made a difficult time easier,” wrote a client. “I really appreciated that there was no high-pressure selling. We came to you through recommendations and we would not hesitate to recommend you to others. Your prices show you CARE but the manner in which you execute your services proves it.”

With two facilities, one in Colwood and the other in Sidney, the staff at C.A.R.E emphasize value with the most competitive fee schedule available – without commissioned sales staff they provide comprehensive and compassionate service which even includes arrangements done where you are most comfortable, your own home.

“As most people look to this industry for assistance, they’re looking for value, and they’re looking for someone who is going to treat them and their loved one with dignity and respect,” Bill says. “Ultimately, I believe there is a day of reckoning

on the horizon in which we will all account for the way we have treated each other.”

Their name – C.A.R.E – guides the company’s operating style: Caring and Compassionate; Attentive and Affordable; Reliable and Respectful; with Equality and Excellence for all. As a full-service provider, they also work with funeral homes, cemeteries and crematoriums around the world to facilitate graveside, funerals, memorials and simple cremations, with or without religious or secular services.

The staff at C.A.R.E serve with the conviction that families deserve respect, warmth and empathy, thus it is no surprise that word-of-mouth advertising has been the single largest factor for their continued growth, Bill notes. His quiet humour and welcoming approach goes a long way to putting families at ease.

“I enjoy people,” he says. “And I enjoy helping and supporting people through the death of a loved one, which is understandably one of life’s most difficult times.”

After operating in Victoria and the West Shore since 1990, Bill and Lawrence chose several years ago to take their same simple approach to the Saanich Peninsula, allowing families the convenience of caring for their loved ones in their own community.

While Bill appreciates the rewards of the funeral industry, giving back through the support of organizations such as Victoria Hospice, the photography buff also enjoys the fresh perspective offered by exploring other landscapes and cultures.

Our prices say we CARE and our service proves it.

Bill Buckley Owner and Director

C.A.R.E Funeral Services (Vancouver Island) Ltd.

2676 Wilfert Road Victoria, BC V9B 5Z3 Phone 250-391-9696 (24 HRS) Fax 250-391-9697

9787 4th Street Sidney, BC V8L 2Y9 Phone 250-655-9669 (24 HRS)

Email [email protected] www.carefuneral.com

C •A•R•EFuneral Services


Dr. Joseph and Holly King and their children, Lucie, William and Charles

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dr. JosePH king, king lasik

Our patients are really happy to have clear vision again because it means they have new freedom to do what they enjoy.

Dr. Joseph King Laser Vision Correction Surgeon

King LASIK 201 – 3550 Saanich Road Victoria, BC V8X 1X2

Phone 250-360-2141 Toll Free 1-877-551-2020 Fax 250-360-1513 Email [email protected] www.kinglasik.com

Dr. Joseph King speaks from experience when discussing the positive impact of clear eyesight and laser vision correction.

As a busy father of three, cross-country coach and runner – the Boston Marathon is on his spring calendar – Dr. King appreciates his freedom from glasses and contact lenses for clear vision. “Having LASIK myself was one of my best decisions in life.”

His patients share that appreciation. “They’re really happy to have clear vision again because it means they can do the things they want to do with freedom from glasses and contact lenses, usually for the first time in their life,” he says. “We’re making people happy so there’s a lot of good energy. We’re helping people to make a very positive lifestyle change.”

Dr. King, who has practiced on Vancouver Island since 1997, is joined at King LASIK in Victoria by Saanich’s Dr. Colin Nelson; both surgeons take great satisfaction in helping patients obtain clear eyesight and freedom from glasses and contacts.

Their extensive experience, attentive patient care and leading-edge technology combine to offer patients the opportunity for clear, precise vision – in a five to 10 minute procedure and with minimal discomfort.

In fact, those are two things that surprise patients most, Dr. King says. “Laser vision correction is typically very quick and

comfortable.” Only eye drops are needed for anesthesia and sedation is available to relax patients if needed.

Most people above age 18 who wear glasses or contacts are excellent candidates for the procedure. Additionally, laser correction is more affordable than it’s ever been and is extremely safe, notes Dr. King, who has performed about 80,000 of these procedures in his career. He also serves as a clinical investigator for new laser vision correction technologies for both Canada and the U.S.

Understanding patients may be initially nervous about the procedure, King and his medical team carefully explain what will happen during surgery and what the recovery will be like. They remain in close contact with patients following surgery to address any concerns, and work with each patient’s optometrist to co-ordinate care. “We have staff on call 24 hours a day,” Dr. King notes. “All of my patients have my cell phone number and they can call me at any time.”

The vast majority of Dr. King’s laser eye surgery patients achieve 20/20 vision or better without glasses or contacts. It’s no surprise that many doctors, athletes, pilots, professional photographers and others with vision-intensive jobs are among his success stories; Dr. King also serves as the official LASIK surgeon for the Vancouver Canucks. Free consultations are offered at his offices in both Victoria and Burnaby.


Craig Cameron, CEO, Connect Hearing

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craig caMeron,connect Hearing

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Craig Cameron, CEO Connect HearingDowntown #309 – 645 Fort Street 250-385-3103Oak Bay 400 – 1900 Richmond Road 250-598-2334McKenzie 106 – 1595 McKenzie Ave. 250-477-3649Royal Oak 4456A West Saanich Road 250-953-9979West Shore 301 – 582 Goldstream Ave. 250-474-4643Sidney 301 – 2453 Beacon Ave. 250-656-5520Toll Free 1-800-563- HEAR (4327) Email [email protected] www.connecthearing.ca

You might expect hearing experts to be good listeners, but pair that skill with true vision and the result is Canada’s largest network of registered audiologists and professional hearing instrument practitioners – based right here in Victoria.

Founded in 1978 as Island Acoustics, today Connect Hearing is the national leader in the industry, a position earned with a dual commitment to customers and staff, explains CEO Craig Cameron.

Cameron joined what was then Island Hearing several years ago, moving to Victoria with his wife Candace from the family business he’d helped build in Kelowna.

Among his first tasks was integrating the company’s recent acquisitions, uniting them under the Connect Hearing banner and solidifying the brand across the country. “It’s been an exciting process and the whole team has been really involved throughout – today we reach from coast to coast, Victoria to Halifax.”

And with parent company Sonova providing leading edge technology, clients rest assured knowing that wherever they may travel in Canada, Connect Hearing will be there to help.

“Customers take a lot of comfort from the fact that we are a national company,” Cameron says.

Today, Connect Hearing’s 120 clinics across Canada offer a full spectrum of hearing assessments and solutions to meet clients’ lifestyles and budgets. “Customer service is No. 1 in everything we do, from staff training to building customer relationships – the customer is the lifeblood of the company.”

To forge those relationships with

clients, Connect Hearing relies on its employees – about 325-strong nationally. “Our people are our strength,” Cameron says. “We really want to be the employer of choice in the hearing industry.”

That philosophy has twice (2010 and 2011) earned Connect Hearing the Great Places to Work Institute Canada’s “Best Workplaces in Canada” Award, an honour based on employee surveys and an evaluation of human resources practices.

It’s all in the details, Cameron suggests. A simple birthday acknowledgement, for example, shows the company does take notice. So too do larger initiatives, such as encouraging employees – not only supervisors – to recognize co-workers, and a policy of promoting from within.

“These things are not new, and they’re not unique to us, but we do put an emphasis on them. As a result, employees say it’s a great place to work.”

Among Connect Hearing’s recent initiatives are national partnerships with the Canadian Automobile Association and The Royal Canadian Legion. Looking ahead, Cameron will continue to solidify the Connect Hearing brand. “I feel I have a responsibility to build on our already successful business, for the benefit of all,” he says, giving full marks to those around him. “It’s been a real team effort – I’ve got great people, from the clinics to head office.”

At the end of the day, Cameron and his team fundamentally believe in what they are doing. “It’s quite amazing – to see the difference our products and services can make in people’s lives.”

It’s quite amazing – to see the difference our products and services can make in people’s lives.


General Manager, Kevin Miller and his wife Carla, Generation Furniture

”F u R n I T u R E

F“



P R O F I L E

kevin and carla Miller,generation Furniture

With the space we have here, there was an opportunity to expand our selection.

Kevin Miller General Manager

Generation Furniture 977 Langford Parkway Victoria, BC V9B 0A5

Phone 250-391-0033 Fax 250-391-6612 www.generationfurniture.ca

Rarely is a name as fitting for a business as Generation Furniture.

Celebrating five years in Greater Victoria, but more than three decades since its founding, the family-run store offers 40,000 square feet of dedicated furniture showroom.

It was by design that the family chose “Generation” for its name. As the second generation of Millers builds on the foundation laid by their parents, they remain committed to providing customers with an invaluable combination of quality, service and affordability – a philosophy that also stands the test of generations.

“We shop the world for our furniture, which runs the gamut from modest to heirloom, to source out the best value and quality,” says Kevin Miller, manager of the Langford store and its staff of 25.

While the company was founded in Abbotsford, its Island roots reach beyond the five years they’ve been delighting shoppers here with their diverse selection. Kevin’s mother grew up in Port Alberni and both senior Millers attended the University of Victoria in the 1970s. “After that my dad opened up his first store in Abbotsford and we’ve been in the furniture business ever since.”

“I’ve worked with my dad since I was young – in the warehouse on the weekend, building tables and chairs,” Kevin recalls. Over the years, both his uncles have joined the business, along with his two brothers and sister who operate the family’s Coquitlam location, while Kevin’s wife Carla manages the Victoria office. Several decades later

“we still enjoy working together.”

The local store opened under the Ashley Homestore banner, but 18 months ago transitioned to the new model to take full advantage of its size and location. “With the space we have here, there was an opportunity to expand our selection,” Kevin explains. From smaller-scale furnishings and accessories perfect for today’s condominiums and carriage homes to larger pieces suitable for the grandest great room, “we’re always working to provide customers with the best furniture at the best prices.”

“We’re being as proactive as we can to be a sustainable community business.” Carrying that philosophy forward into community relationships, Generation Furniture supports schools, sports teams, organizations like Cops for Cancer, and provides customers the opportunity to support local food banks. “We help the community whenever we can.” Carla notes. Sustainability reaches beyond their neighbours to the environment. Recent initiatives include changing their acre of lighting to LEDs – cutting energy consumption in half – and actively seeking waste reduction and recycling solutions as they become available in the market.

Continuing the theme, Generation Furniture continues to invest in its staff, employing its own dedicated delivery teams and industry-trained technicians to ensure a high standard of quality and care. “It’s better for us and for our customers – we try to maintain the highest level of service of any business in our field.”

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