16 CORPORATISM: Jim Blasingame says you can achieve success by bringing your customer’s customer into focus.
2 AT A GLANCE
A look at which global regions have the highest income countries based on GNI.
2 CROSSWORD
Take a coffee break from work and challenge yourself with our crossword.
3 ESSEX ECONOMICS
A series of guest columns by business executives on various trends in the region.
8 PRIME PROPERTY
A look at recent commercial property transfers in the city of Windsor . 10 PRIME HOME
A look at residential property sales in Essex County and Chatham-Kent.
12 BUILDING PERMITS
A compilation of construction activity in the Windsor and area market.
13 WORLD OF WORK
A career advice column by two workplace consultants and career coaches.
13 START UPS
Newly incorporated firms launched in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.
Assistant Pastor Dan Christiaans, who will lead the congregation at the new venue, said the church had been thinking of expanding for several years and even thought of building a second church on its current eight-acre site. But the newly purchased building became available and obviously at considerably less costs than, say, spending $5 million on a new facility.
Continued on page 5
AT A GLANCE
JUST THE FACTS:
• The World Bank classifies economies into four groups based on gross national income per capita: low-income ($1,175 or less), lower-middle-income ($1,176 – $4,635), upper-middle-income ($4,636 – $14,375), and highincome (more than $14,375).
• Europe and Central Asia have the highest share of high-income countries after the World Bank’s North America region, at 69 percent.
• Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region where low-income countries make up the largest share, at 44 percent.
• Latin America and the Caribbean are heavily concentrated in the upper-middle and high-income groups, which together account for 88 percent of countries.
• Nearly half of Africa’s countries (44 percent) are classified as low-income, while another 42 percent fall into the lower-middle-income category.
• East Asia and the Pacific have more varied profiles, with 42 percent of countries in the high-income group and another 34 percent in the upper-middle-income category. The region includes advanced economies such as Japan, Singapore and Australia, and rapidly developing countries including China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
• The region of the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan has the broadest distribution across all four income groups. The region includes some of the world’s wealthiest energy-exporting economies alongside lower-income countries facing slower development or prolonged instability.
Source: Venture Capitalist, July 2026.
BY PAUL MARCH
I SEE YOU FINALLY GOT A HOLE IN ONE.
BUSINESS BOOST
“Remember The Emperor and His New Clothes? The unfortunate leader unknowingly commissioned unprincipled tailors to sew his robes for a public procession. They made no robes, but instead created an ingenious lie: The robes were of so fine a material that only the noblest townspeople would be able to see them.
“The Emperor was caught. He couldn’t see the robes, but admitting he couldn’t see them would threaten his noble status. He consulted his closest advisors. Desperate to defend their own nobility, the advisors assured him they could see the robes – when they truly could not.
And so it happened that the unfortunate Emperor wore nothing at all in the procession, and was publicly humiliated.
“The moral of the story? The integrity of the people – and the environment – surrounding you is critical. It may save you from showing up with your moral pants down.”
VOLUME 30, ISSUE 4 • AUGUST 2026
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nadia H. Shousher
ART DIRECTOR David Cowx
CONTRIBUTORS Jim Blasingame, Dan Chase, Mike Chase, Dale Dauten, Paul March, Devan Mighton, J.T. O’Donnell, Nikita Prajapati, Ron Stang, Joe Symchyshyn
Windsor Business is published monthly by The Page Publishing Corp. and is distributed through Canada Post to every business address in Windsor and Essex County and Chatham-Kent. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher. Copyright The Page Publishing Corp., 2026.
THE PAGE PUBLISHING CORP. 552 PITT STREET WEST, SUITE 101
Please allow me to introduce you to one proposed chapter of my upcoming book on the realities of doing business in today’s climate. As with all sarcasm, there is more than a grain of truth in the barb. I guarantee this tongue-in-cheek commentary is based on the experiences of area executives, as told to me through clenched teeth, fits of laughter and sighs of despair. Yet, while these may all be amusing, as an old German entrepreneur used to tell me: “‘tis still a bit frightening, no?”
Don’t One-Up When You Can Dumb Down: Have you ever noticed how well the less intellectually endowed fare in the real world? I finally figured out why dumb people are healthier and wealthier than the rest of us. They don’t know any better. In fact, they don’t even know enough to worry about what they don’t know, so sleepless nights or biting nails are alien concepts for them.
Dumb people literally exude their dumbness – like others emit an aura of kindness or confidence – which inspires one to protect, coddle and do for them. It may be under the guise of pity, but the enabler in each of us self-assured “doers” forces us to take charge of the situation. So, we get more aggravation while Dumb, Dumber and Dumbest Ever can remain in oblivion. It’s an amazing scam. Wish I’d thought of it.
Truth or Dare: The one thing I cannot abide is a liar, yet I find I must often wade through a minefield of lies when conversing with some people in the course of doing business. This is what I refer to as double speak. When someone says “I’ll call you right back,” they really mean “I’ll call you sometime between now and death. IF you can catch me!”
When someone says “Trust me. This is my work, my creation, my idea,” I immediately start trying to verify the source. You would not believe how often I discovered the piece in question was stolen. Alas, wading through propaganda to get to the truth is a full-time career in itself.
Sticky Fingers and Other Oddities: That corporate theft – of intellectual property, confidential files or company assets – still occurs at all still amazes me. I can see the allure for the intellectually lazy; it takes no brains to steal another’s hard work. What I can’t understand is the blatant arrogance with which thieves defend – nay! Brag! – about their criminality. Just who do they think they’re fooling? Seems like basic honesty has become a scarce commodity in business.
As author Richard M. Huber once said: “The key principle in selling is honesty. Once you know how to fake that, you’ve got it made.”
Nadia H. Shousher is Editor-in-Chief of Windsor Business, a division of The Page Publishing Corp.
ESSEX ECONOMICS
TROY HARRISON
AI skepticism that won’t age out
Here’s something nobody saw coming: The generation most skeptical of AI isn’t the one that doesn’t understand it; it’s the one that understands it best.
Every new technology faces resistance. The Internet? A fad. Smartphones? Unnecessary. Social media? A waste of time. But tech skepticism has always followed the same pattern: older workers resisted, younger workers embraced, and eventually the skeptics retired and adoption became universal.
AI flips this script entirely. Sixty-two percent of Gen Z express skepticism toward Artificial Intelligence – higher than any other generation. Sixteen percent explicitly don’t want AI on their phones, compared to only nine percent of older users. Forty-nine percent believe AI will harm their critical thinking skills.
This isn’t ignorance. It’s educated wariness. Gen Z grew up watching social media algorithms manipulate behavior, mine personal data and damage mental health. They understand how "engagement optimization" created filter bubbles and monetized attention at the expense of well-being. They’ve seen technology companies prioritize profit over users – and they figure (correctly) that it will keep happening.
Generational dynamics in B2B selling have gotten complex. Older salespeople struggle to connect with younger buyers who communicate differently and research differently. Younger salespeople face challenges selling to executives who expect traditional relationship-building. AI adds another layer of complexity to this already-delicate situation.
An AI-written Email isn’t just impersonal. It’s a signal you chose efficiency over authenticity. An AI chatbot isn’t helpful. It’s a barrier between the buyer and real human expertise. An AI-generated proposal tells the buyer you couldn’t be bothered to understand their specific situation.
Here’s the mismatch: Millennial and Gen X sales leaders view AI pragmatically as a productivity tool (which it can and should be, used correctly). They don’t realize their AI-enhanced outreach is actively repelling their youngest prospects. When buyers doubt the authenticity of your communication, they doubt the authenticity of your company.
This hits B2B hard, because business relationships depend on trust. Buyers need confidence that you’ll deliver, support and stand behind your product over time. AI-generated content undermines that confidence.
The question isn’t whether to use AI. It’s whether you use it in ways that build trust or destroy it. Gen Z’s skepticism provides the answer—and it’s not going away.
Troy Harrison is the author of “Sell Like You Mean It” and “The Pocket Sales Manager.” Email Troy@TroyHarrison.com.
Adrian Gostick and Dana Telford in The Integrity Advantage, Gibbs Smith.
Essex Pepsi bottling plant and south Windsor auto dealership sites sold
Essex Weld Solutions has bought a property at 333 Gosfield Townline West in Essex, where the long-time Pepsi bottling plant is located. The price for the five-acre property was $5 million.
Owner Abe Friesen said it was “just bought as an investment” and there will be no change in the property’s use.
Essex Weld has been a mainstay in the town of Essex, offering a wide range of custom fabrication and automotive packaging design services. Customers have included Honda and Volvo
Meanwhile, former owner PepsiCo said it’s business as usual at the site, just north of Highway 3.
“While ownership of the site has changed, PepsiCo Canada continues to operate there under a lease agreement,” said a company spokesperson. “The facility will remain a PepsiCo Canada trailer storage location that serves the broader Windsor community.”
In other local sales transactions, a London-based firm has sold the sites of two south Windsor car dealerships, 925 Provincial Road (Alfa Romeo of Windsor) and 1001 Provincial Road (Provincial Chrysler).
The seller was Oxford Leaseholds Ltd., associated with Oxford Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, which did not respond to requests for comment. There will be no change in the Windsor dealerships operations, although the business had a right of first refusal on buying the properties, said owner Jordan Smith.
The buyer was Vito Frija of the Southside Construction Management Ltd., also of London, who declined an interview. Southside is a residential and commercial developer which also does commer-
cial leasing.
Meanwhile, nearby in south Windsor, 1825 Division Road was sold for $7.5 million by “named individuals” to Countryside Windsor Inc., associated with Torontobased Bryce Stewart. Neither party could be reached. The site is the location of the Countryside Village of Windsor, a neighborhood of manufactured homes.
According to its website, the park had been owned by Farmington Hills MI-based Countryside Group Investments, which owns several similar sites in southwestern Ontario and Michigan.
Windsor Star ad flyers still being delivered CLOSURE
Windsor Star stopped delivering advertising flyers with its newspapers this summer, but the flyers are still being physically delivered to mailboxes and can be found online.
According to posts on Facebook’s Windsor Rants Raves & News, at least one delivery person was caught out by the decision.
Said carrier Ashley Shpak: “I was doing flyer delivery for the building I live in, and for three weeks we didn’t get them. I Emailed and found out I had been fired. They never planned on telling me. Apparently, the Windsor Star doesn’t do fliers anymore, and instead of informing employees they just stopped paying them!”
But poster Jessica Etzl said, “I know someone who did them and they received a letter in advance that it was ending June 13.”
Canada’s largest newspaper chain said in a May release it was making the change to “strengthen long-term sustainability,” in response to “shifting consumer behaviors and a rapidly changing media landscape.”
It went on: “Following a comprehensive review of its flyer distribution operations across Canada, Postmedia has made the strategic decision to exit the flyer distribution business.”
Flyer distribution began being phased out June 8 and will be completed among its numerous markets by the end of August.
Some 50 full-time and 200 parttime jobs were affected, but the company is “committed to supporting affected employees through this transition.”
The flyers are alternately being distributed by various methods –print through Canada Post, and on-
line through websites like Flipp and Raddar.
Patrick Brayler, COO of TC Transcontinental, owner of Raddar (pronounced Radar), told Windsor Business Raddar is a “reinvented flyer product” that started in Quebec and is now across Canada. It serves hundreds of local markets including Windsor.
“Successively, as news organizations have withdrawn from private distribution of flyers, Raddar has expanded most recently in midJune to be a national product,” he said.
Retailers and brands can choose the markets they want to reach.
Readers who formerly saw the printed flyer can go to Raddar.ca, type in their postal code and see their local flyers.
“CANADA POST HAS DONE ITS PART TO SUPPORT THE DELIVERY GAPS BY PROVIDING FLYER DISTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES, THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.”
“Postmedia made its own independent business decision to step out of the flyer distribution business, (and) we made our own independent business decision to launch Raddar. We understood retailers still see a lot of value in the printed flyer, and they wanted to be able to reach Canadians from coast to coast,” Brayler said.
Meanwhile, a Canada Post spokesperson said that with Postmedia exiting, “Canada Post has done its part to support the delivery gaps by providing flyer distribution to support businesses, the media landscape and the communities they serve.”
Chatham church buys former Catholic school
Contineud from page 1
The seller was Chatham Seniors Care Inc. of Mississauga, which apparently had considered using it as a care home then decided against it. That business could not be reached.
The 700 church members were fully agreeable to split into two facilities, and they personally chose which building they will attend. “It’s something that everybody at our church is on board with and excited about,” Christiaans said.
The current building, which saw a physical expansion over the past decade, can only accommodate 400, so services had to be doubled so the same space could be used.
Church officials are expecting to move into the new building in midSeptember for a soft opening as worship and other programs are transferred, “and we get everything working properly before we open it up to everybody,” he said.
“WE HAD ABOUT FOUR WEEKS TO RAISE $400,000 AND THE CHURCH DID IT.”
The new property had earlier been bought by a developer who wanted to put medium-density residential – a seniors residence –there, the pastor said. “But those plans fell through and it came back on the market.”
Besides the purchase price, the church is spending several hundred thousand dollars in renovations, much of the work being carried out by church volunteers.
“We had about four weeks to raise $400,000 and the church did it,” he said of the generosity, adding that another almost $300,000 had been set aside for “whatever expansion we did.”
Despite the new building having been a school with separate classrooms, a minimum of renovations is needed.
The gym, for example, “has a nice stage,” the pastor said. Walls have been painted and a new floor installed. “It will have a bit more of a church feel to it with probably new lighting we can dim a little bit more.” Chairs can be removed so the space can double for recreation purposes.
Christiaans said those transferring to the new location have various reasons: proximity io the venue, and personal relationships with church officials including Christiaans who has been running
youth and adults ministries.
Maple City has been in Chatham since 1978.
Senior Pastor Richard Dressler has been there 25 years and Christiaans more than 20 years.
“We teach and preach the Bible as clearly as we can,” and Pastor Dressler is a “gifted” preacher, he said. “We’re really just trying to do church the way we think the Bible tells us to do it.”
BY RON STANG
Truck yard in receivership for sale
If you’re willing to pay $8.5 million, there is a 10-acre truck yard on Central Avenue waiting for you.
It used to be home to Mississauga-based Eli Logistics Solutions, which recently filed bankruptcy. Receiver Ernst & Young has taken over the property, which is largely a vacant lot but is still used by truck owners to park their vehicles.
The lot is near the corner of Grand Marais East and Central.
Eli also had to vacate its head-
quarters in the Greater Toronto Area via a court order last April.
CBRE’s Windsor office is advertising the property as a “rare opportunity to acquire a strategically located 10.01-acre industrial trucking yard, within one of Windsor’s established employment corridors.”
The land includes a 14,000square-foot, multi-tenant building with loading doors and truck trailer parking yard “that generates stable income.”
David, president of Academy
Truck Driving School which is one of the tenants on site, said his school will continue to operate there as it has for 19 years. He declined to provide his surname for this story.
David said Eli owned the property for three years. Academy has part of the building and the yard, and stores 10 trucks there. “We have our own facility in the yard.”
He said tenants were directed by memo last October to send their rent to Ernst & Young.
Local firms mark anniversaries with community at the core
Several independent businesses across WindsorEssex are marking significant anniversaries this year, highlighting resilience, community support and steady growth in a competitive market. From craft brewing to packaging solutions, these locally owned firms share a common thread: a deep connection to the region and a commitment to evolving with it.
At GL Heritage Brewing Co., the nine-year milestone carries both pride and perspective. “On one hand, it feels like we just opened yesterday. On the other, so much has happened,” said co-owner Jen Grondin, noting the challenge of navigating the pandemic just a few years after launching. Operating from a 176-year-old family farm, the brewery credits its longevity to strong community ties. “Our community, our staff, and the support we’ve received – it’s what has kept us going.”
That local-first mindset has also shaped its business model. With distribution focused entirely within Windsor-Essex, the brewery partners with roughly 30 regional establishments. “People here want to support local, and they know the quality is there,” she said. Looking ahead, GL Heritage is expanding its on-site experiences, from largescale events in its new pavilion to creative small-batch releases.
Champion Products, celebrating 35 years, reflects a different scale of growth but echoes similar values. Owner Ashok Sood attributes the company’s success to its people. “My management and em-
ployees are the backbone of the business,” he said. While WindsorEssex provided foundational support, the company has grown beyond the region, now operating in more than 10 locations with ambitions to become “a true North American company.”
Sood also emphasized consistency and innovation as key differentiators.
“We still have our first employee and our first customer,” he said, adding that sourcing from hundreds of global suppliers allows the company to stay ahead in the packaging industry.
Namaste Indian Supermarket, marking five years in business,
highlights how identifying a market gap can translate into rapid growth. Owner Parimal Parikh said reaching the milestone is both “emotional and rewarding,” reflecting on the journey from a small idea to a large-format store serving thousands of customers. He credits hard work, adaptability and a community-focused approach as key drivers. “Above all, the right intention to serve the community is something that got me this far,” he said. Parikh entered the Windsor market during the pandemic, The response, he said, has been strong, with the store becoming a go-to destination for both everyday
shopping and cultural connection.
Additional plans include new retail concepts and promotions aimed at community engagement, such as a weekly seniors’ discount program.
“Every purchase strengthens the community,” Parikh said, encouraging residents to continue supporting local businesses.
Better Blinds & Drapery, now in its 32nd year, underscores the importance of service and operational efficiency in sustaining long-term growth. Owner Mark Dudfield said the company’s success originates from “hard work, great service and community involvement,” including a consistent support for local charities and fundraising ini-
tiatives.
Dudfield pointed to WindsorEssex’s infrastructure as a business advantage, particularly its highway network.
“The proximity to Highway 401 ensures a robust supply chain,” he said, noting the company sources products from across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. The same infrastructure has enabled expansion into Chatham-Kent in recent years, alongside growth in commercial and government projects. The company continues to update its showroom and product offerings to reflect changing market trends, while maintaining a focus on customer service.
The Windsor team at Champion Products, 2026.
HE SAID/SHE SAID
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AREA EXECUTIVES:
QUESTION: Does your company give away promotional products? If so, what type of items do you buy?
“While we occasionally distribute branded items such as notebooks, pens, mugs and member materials at events, our real investment is in helping entrepreneurs succeed with representation that drives meaningful change for SMEs across the country.”
Jason Covent, District Manager, Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
“At Team Goran, we believe client appreciation goes beyond the transaction. We love showing our appreciation through promotional gifts, community events, and staying connected long after closing day. It’s our way of thanking clients for their trust while building lasting relationships.”
Nour Hammoud, Realtor, ReMax Care.
“Our giveaway is a free cybersecurity assessment. We sit down with local business owners, review their network, Email security and backups, and deliver a written report showing exactly where they stand. It's practical, it's personal and it's genuinely free.”
“At CPG, we never show up to a meeting emptyhanded. We provide refreshments to current and prospective clients. We also take clients out for dinner and drinks to show our appreciation for their ongoing support.”
Benjamin Elka, Lead Recruiter/Recruitment Coach, CPG Recruitment Inc.
“We thank our clients for their continued loyalty by giving personalized promotional products, such as notepads and calendars, with their logo on them. These gifts are a token of our appreciation, created to support their business while reflecting the care and quality we bring to every project.”
Sinasac, President, Herald
Tom
Press Ltd.
PRIME PROPERTY
THE FOLLOWING, PROVIDED BY REALTRACK.COM, REPRESENT SOME OF THE TOP COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRANSFERS IN THE ESSEX & CHATHAM-KENT AREAS:
SOLD
Address: County Rd. 42, Conc. 3, Pt Lot 138, Tecumseh
Selling Price: $2 million
Vendor: Named Individual Purchaser: Gurdwara Khalsa Parkash Windsor Inc.
• Buxton Inc. is building a restaurant at an entertainment venue on AD Shadd Rd. Value of construction: $600,000.
• The Municipality of ChathamKent is renovating a long-term care home on King St. W. Value of construction: $1.8 million.
• The Public General Hospital is renovating a hospital on Grand Ave. W. Value of construction: $530,000.
• The Municipality of ChathamKent is building an apartment building on Westcourt Blvd. Value of construction: $42,825,000.
• Lambton District School Board is doing renovations to a school on Cecile Ave. Value of construction: $1.1 million.
• GGCM Holdings Inc. is building a mixed use commercial and residential building on Queen St. N. Value of construction: $1 million.
• The Municipality of ChathamKent is renovating an apartment building on McNaughton Ave. W. Value of construction: $90,000.
MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT RESIDENTIAL:
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Hiram St. Value of construction: $340,000.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Pinehurst Line. Value of construction: $450,000.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Bluewater
Line. Value of construction: $400,000.
• Individuals are building an addition to a single-family residence on Lisgar St. S. Value of construction: $155,000.
• Individuals are building a semidetached residence on Patteson Ave. Value of construction: $380,000.
• Individuals are building an Additional Dwelling Unit at a single-family residence on St. Michael Ave. Value of construction: $25,000.
• 14307151 Canada Inc. is building a four-plex residence on Delaware Ave. Value of construction: $640,000.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Longwoods Rd. Value of construction: $580,000.
• Mi Cazza Construction is building a single-family home on Cornerstone Pl. Value of construction: $750,000.
• Individuals are building an addition to a residence on Detroit Line. Value of construction: $79,000.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Talbot Trail. Value of construction: $1 million.
• Faas Construction Ltd. Is building an addition to a single-family residence on Maynard Line. Value of construction: $152,000.
• Affinity Homes is building two units of a semi-detached residence on Worthington Crt. Values of construction: $425,000 each.
• Kevin Vreman Construction is building an addition to a singlefamily residence on Charing
Cross Rd. Value of construction: $124,000.
• Affinity Homes is building two units of a semi-detached dwelling on Worthington Crt. Values of construction: $385,000 each.
• Individuals are building an addition to a single-family residence on Centre Sd. Rd. Value of construction: $100,000.
• Tom’s Building & Remodelling is doing renovations to a singlefamily residence on Jane St. Value of construction: $325,000.
• Ritchie Home Builders is building an Additional Dwelling Unit to a single-family residence on Sinclair Line. Value of construction: $800,000.
• Mi Cazza Construction is building a single-family residence on LaSalle Lane. Value of construction: $500,000.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily home on Beechwood Line. Value of construction: $700,000.
• Rumble Homes Ltd. is building a single-family residence on Gesner Line. Value of construction: $750,000.
• Haven Gate Homes Inc. is building a single-family residence on Rosewood Cr. Value of construction: $880,000.
• Johnson Construction is building an Additional Dwelling Unit at a residence on Brook Line. Value of construction: $450,000.
• Campeau Custom Homes is building a single-family dwelling on Lantern Lane. Value of construction: $600,000.
• Affinity Homes is building a single-family residence on LaSalle Lane. Value of construction: $400,000.
• Park Hill Custom Homes Ltd. is building a single-family residence on Bloomington Way. Value of construction: $500,000.
• Individuals are building an Additional Dwelling Unit to a residence on Angler Line. Value of construction: $110,000.
• Maple City Homes is building two single-family residences on Ironwood Trail. Values of construction: $450,000 and $400,000.
• Sun Built Custom Homes is building a single-family residence on Bloomington Way. Value of construction: $700,000.
• Park Hill Custom Homes is building a single-family residence on Cherry Blossom Trail. Value of construction: $500,000.
TOWN OF LASALLE COMMERCIAL:
• A company is building an accessory structure to a business on Seventh Conc. Rd. Value of construction: $113,000.
• A landlord is doing interior fit ups to a retail tenant on Sandwich West Pkwy. Value of construction: $25,000.
• A landlord is doing interior fit ups to a Jimmy John’s restaurant on Sandwich West Pkwy. Value of construction: $7,000.
TOWN OF LASALLE RESIDENTIAL:
• Individuals are doing renovations to a single-family residence on Lyons Ave. Value of construction: $975,000.
• Contractors are building two units of a semi-detached dwelling on Angelo Ave. Values of
construction: $387,510 each.
• Contractors are building two units of a semi-detached dwelling on Fields Ave. Values of construction: $493,050 each.
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Mayrand St. Value of construction: $924,320.
MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON COMMERCIAL:
• An agricultural business is building a greenhouse on County Rd.14. Value of construction: $75 million.
• An agricultural business is building an accessory structure on County Rd. 14. Value of construction: $530,000.
• The Municipality of Leamington is doing repairs to a school on Maxon Ave. Value of construction: $2 million.
• An agricultural business is erecting an irrigation building on County Rd. 14. Value of construction: $1.8 million.
• An agricultural business is erecting mini washrooms at a greenhouse on County Rd. 14. Value of construction: $50,000.
• Contractors are building accessory structures to a business on Erie St. S. Value of construction: $250,000.
• Contractors are building a restaurant on Erie St. S. Value of construction: $125,000.
• Contractors are renovating business offices on Queens Ave. Value of construction: $49,000.
• Contractors are building five multi-unit dwellings at an agricultural business on County Rd.
Continued on page 16
START UPS
THE FOLLOWING WINDSOR, ESSEX COUNTY AND CHATHAM-KENT COMPANIES WERE RECENTLY ISSUED CERTIFICATES OF INCORPORATION UNDER ONTARIO’S BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT:
• 185 Chatham Capital Inc.
• Allscope Build Inc.
• Bhumika Patel Dentistry Professional Corp.
• Blue Line Cleaning Technologies Inc.
• Broadband Technical Services Inc.
• Casagrande Granite & Marble Inc.
• Chatham-Kent Sustainable Holdings Inc.
• Clean Sweep Property Maintenance Inc.
• Databending Corp.
• Diab Capital Inc.
• DiGiovanni Family Holdings Inc.
• Dilly Dally Art Studio Inc.
• Dr. A Takhar Dentistry Professional Corp.
• Dr. A Uzoma Medicine Professional Corp.
• Duhyre Global Solutions Inc.
• E & E Builders Ltd.
• Eltayeb Global Business Ltd.
• Elvaris Group Inc.
• Goldwater Construction Inc.
• Harmony Accounting & Financial Services Inc.
• Heartland Homes Inc.
• HMD Financials CPA Professional Corp.
• Hoop Windsor Inc.
• JPG Capital Group Ltd.
• KB Country Market Inc.
• Lakeshore Tent House & Decoration Inc.
• Legacy Land & Ranch Management Inc.
• Lumba Chiropractic Professional Corp.
• Luxtra Supply Group Inc.
• Mantha Outdoors Inc.
• Maria Bonita Kitchen Inc.
• Martindale Truck & Trailer Repair Ltd.
• Mas-Av Maintenance Service Ltd.
• Melissa Bishop Consulting Inc.
• MJ Plumbing & Heating Inc.
• Ms Barbery Inc.
• Nordshift Modern Business Solutions Inc.
• Novara Construction Inc.
• Pamela McDonald
Professional Real Estate Corp.
• Parallel Advanced Recording For Parenting Inc.
• Peppermills Holdings, Inc.
• Pinnacle Custom Construction Ltd.
• Pinnacle Exterior Construction Ltd.
• Piroli Capital Inc.
• Porrone & Partners Inc.
• Premier Luxury Cleaning Inc.
• Rock Bottom Trucking Inc.
• S. Rasouli Legal Professional Corp.
• Safaa's Barber Shop Ltd.
• Sarah Karra-Aly Optometry
Professional Corp.
• Saturn Tool & Die (Windsor) Inc.
• SB Roofing Contractors Inc.
• Segesta Quality Stone Works Inc.
• Shekinah Development Corp.
• Shridevi Bisanalli Medicine Professional Corp.
• Sungrown Developments Inc.
• Sunshine Drugs First Place Ltd.
• Taychet Creations Inc.
• Towle Family Holdings Inc.
• Windsor Music & Arts Group Inc.
• Zain’s Restaurant Inc.
BY JEANINE “J.T.” O’DONNELL
Dear J.T.: I left my job two years ago to care for my mother through a serious illness. It was the right decision, and I do not regret it. Now I am ready to return to work, but I am terrified the gap on my résumé makes me look out of touch, or not serious. How do I explain two years away without it sinking my chances? — Diane
Dear Diane: Let me start by reframing the thing you are most afraid of. That gap is not a hole in your résumé; it is a chapter, and a deliberate one. The way you talk about it will determine how it lands far more than the gap itself.
The first mistake people in your position make is treating the gap like a confession. They lead with it, apologize for it and brace for judgment. Do not do that. You made a thoughtful choice to care for a family member through a hard time. That is not a liability to explain away. It is a fact to state plainly and move past.
On the résumé, you have options. You can simply show your work history with the dates and address the gap in conversation. Or, if it helps the timeline read cleanly, you can include a brief dated entry such as Family Caregiving Sabbat-
ical, with the years. Either way, lead the document with your skills and your strongest accomplishments, not the gap. Recruiters skim, so give them your value first. In interviews, when the question comes, answer it in two confident sentences and pivot forward. Something like, “I stepped away for two years to care for my mother through her illness. That chapter is complete, and I am fully energized to bring my experience back to a role like this one.”
That is it. No long justification. The calm brevity signals you are at peace with the decision, which makes the interviewer comfortable too. Then redirect to readiness. The worry behind the gap question is whether your skills are current and whether you are committed.
Address both head-on. Show you have kept up with your field through reading, a course, a certification, freelance work or staying connected.
Now, here is your most powerful move, and it bypasses the gap question almost entirely. Backchannel through the people who already know your work. Your former colleagues, managers and clients knew you before the break. They can vouch for your ability and walk you
straight into a conversation, where a two-year gap is a non-issue because someone credible is already saying you are excellent.
A warm referral does not care about your timeline. It cares about your reputation, which is intact. Reconnect with those people now. Not with an apology, but with energy.
A word of caution. You can mention transferable strengths you sharpened while caregiving, like logistics, advocacy and managing under pressure, if they are genuine and relevant. But do not overreach.
Authenticity matters more than spin. You did something meaningful and human. The right employer will see that as a sign of character, not a red flag. Walk in with your head up, lead with your value, lean on the people who know you, and treat the gap as the settled, ordinary fact that it is. You did not fall behind. You stepped away on purpose, and now you are stepping back. Own it.
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J.T. O’Donnell is the founder and CEO of the job search career coaching platform Work It Daily. Visit workitdaily.com to submit your questions.
WB
WB
BY NIKITA PRAJAPATI
Gerrie Electrical opens Windsor site EXPANSION
Gerrie Electrical, a Canadian-owned distributor of electrical products, is expanding its operations with a new location in Windsor. The company, founded in 1957 and headquartered in Oakville ON, currently operates 24 branches across the province.
The new Windsor branch is located on Rhodes Drive. Brad Coughlin, regional manager for Southwestern Ontario, said “We chose Rhodes Drive because it has very good highway exposure off E.C. Row, and most electrical distributors are in the same area. We wanted to be in a place convenient and familiar for customers.”
The company has already been servicing customers in the WindsorEssex region, and identified the need for a physical location. Ac-
cording to the company, the region presents growth opportunities, supported in part by recent reductions in development fees.
Gerrie supplies a range of electrical products used in residential, commercial and industrial applications. Its product offerings include wiring and cable, lighting products, automation and control systems, and related components used by contractors and industrial clients.
At this time, Gerrie does not plan to expand into the U.S. or even ship products across the border. Its current strategy is focused on strengthening its presence within Ontario, and improving service to its existing customer base.
Coughlin added: “We are one of the few fully Canadian-owned and family-owned electrical distributors in Ontario.”
Local competitors say the Windsor market is already crowded.
Roger Godin, branch manager of Ideal Supply in Leamington, said additional entrants may not be necessary. “We don’t need another distributor in Windsor, because we are already overdistributed,” he said. “How it will affect the market and pricing, it’s probably not going to be significant.”
U.S.-based South Windsor school bus depot sold
First Canada ULC, associated with Canada’s largest school bus transportation provider, has sold its property in southwest Windsor to NLF Canada Bus, but the business is still operating as First Canada.
The sale occurred in June for $3 million.
The property is wedged in a corner between Huron Church Road and E.C. Row Expressway, where there is an office and a school bus yard.
Chris Arthurs, general manager of Windsor Essex Student Transportation Services (WESTS), a consortium which manages school bus operations for the four local school boards, said his department has contracts with four different bus companies, one of which is First Student Canada. Each business has multiple yards and there could be as many as 12 in Windsor-Essex, one of which being the southwest Windsor space.
The other contracted operators are Switzer-Carty, Sharp Bus Lines and G & L Stevenson. They bid on multiple-year contracts; Arthurs declined to provide more detail.
The school bus system is very extensive. Last year, there were 452 routes travelling 49,000 kms a day or almost nine trips between Halifax
and Vancouver. The system has some 550 buses.
In this case the yard buyer, NLF Canada, has not operated in Windsor-Essex and could not be tracked down. But Arthurs is aware of the company.
Arthurs said if anything has been sold it was the property and not the business, or he would have been informed.
“I’ve heard nothing in regard to the sale, and they couldn’t sell a business without me knowing,” he said. He said First Canada ULC could be a subsidiary company that operates depots. But “it’s still First Student Canada” operating those buses.
First Student Canada is apparently a division of Cincinnati OHbased First Student. Windsor Business couldn’t reach anyone from First Canada, and First Student did not respond to requests for comment.
Arthurs said the school bus industry landscape “has changed quite a bit, especially in the last 20 years,” in part due to technology.
WESTS’ local board transportation website is Buskids.ca with the motto “putting the wheels in motion on the road to your child’s education.”
The numbers at a glance:
$6.4B
Cost to build 20.1M
Hours of labor to build
15,843
Number of workers involved
16
Number of state-of-the-art toll lanes
24
Number of primary inspection lanes
12
Number of commercial secondary examination docks
$274M
Value of goods moved between Windsor-Detroit per day
$1.3B
Estimated contribution to Windsor’s GDP
Source: Gordie Howe International Bridge
SOURCE: GORDIE HOWE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE
SOURCE: WINDSOR AERIAL DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY
SOURCE: GORDIE HOWE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE
Bringing your customer’s customer into clear focus
When you take a photograph, the resulting product is two-dimensional: tall, wide and flat. But in most cases, you want the photo to show depth, where images in the foreground and background are all in focus.
In photographic terms, the range of focus front to back is called depth of field. The best way to expand depth of field – so more of the subjects in the photo are in focus – is to add light. Light
contributes to depth of field.
If you were given a photo of people who were the most critical to your success, you’d easily recognize your customers in the foreground in perfect focus. But as you look deeper into the photo, you’d notice the images behind that first row increasingly drop out of focus with each receding row.
The reason is that, for most of the history of the marketplace, businesses have gotten away with having a very narrow customer
depth of field.
When the coin of the realm was to be competitive, that meant you spent all your time thinking about how to serve the person in the foreground, the first row of your business world: your customers. But as I’ve revealed in the past, being competitive has been trumped by being relevant.
And in The Age of the Customer, perhaps the most important component of being relevant to business customers is helping them
serve the most important person in their photo: their customers.
Let me say that again with Blasingame’s New Law of Customer Relevance: If you want to have customers for life, help your customers help their customers.
The way to accomplish this is to increase the depth of field of your customer photo. Light up the view beyond the first row of customers, so that the second row is completely in focus. This three-step process works every time:
family with freedom, security and a strong financial foundation, well into the future. Your children’s children’s children will thank you.
1. Identify the customer of your customer;
2. Find out what your customer needs to do to become relevant to their customer;
3. Whatever the answer to #2 is, help your customer do that.
Executing this approach is how you acquire customers you almost can’t run off. Because when you help your customers help their customers, they know you’re doing more than just delivering stuff. You’ve become part of their team – integrated and committed, like a true stakeholder.
And if you want to pull off the customer relevance hat trick, light up the third row of your business’s photo: Help your customers help their customers help their customers.
I’ve done it – and it’s a beautiful thing.
Write this on a rock: Achieve sustainable success, by bringing your customer’s customer into focus.
Jim Blasingame is the author of The 3rd Ingredient, the Journey of Analog Ethics into the World of Digital Fear and Greed. Visit jimblasingame.com.
Continued from page 12
MUNICIPALITY OF LEAMINGTON RESIDENTIAL:
• Individuals are building an Accessory Dwelling Unit to a residence on Talbot St. E. Value of construction: $150,000.
• Individuals are building a multiunit dwelling on Country Rd. 18. Value of construction: $700,000.
• Individuals are building an Accessory Dwelling Unit to a residence on Kent County Rd. 1. Value of construction: $200,000.
TOWN OF ESSEX RESIDENTIAL:
• Individuals are building a singlefamily residence on Ducharme Lane. Value of construction: $840,000.
Lori Seguin (Client Service Associate), Mark Abraham (Senior Investment Advisor), Tori Forsey (Client Service Associate), James Labiak (Associate
