FAMILY BUSINESS TRIO CREATES
Spring Valley Building Centre, O’Leary Building Centre, Town ’N Country Carpet One:
Words by Rebecca Spinner Photos: LaVie in Pictures
DAZZLING PEI HOMES
S pring Valley Building Centre, O’Leary Building Centre, and Town ’N Country Carpet One are three of PEI’s finest home design retailers. Yet they don’t compete with each other — quite the opposite. “We all work very closely together,” explains Bethany MacDonald, a member of Spring Valley’s Kitchen Design & Interiors team. “We’re a family-run business.” The three stores function as branches of an unnamed — yet tightknit — family brand. All three are owned and/or run by two married couples: Mike and Pam James, and JD and Dawn Sullivan. The fact that Pam and Dawn are sisters only underscores the establishments’ 'family business' credentials. “I really enjoy working with family,” owner Mike James says simply. “We share the same passion.” He and Pam are now approaching the tenth anniversary of their ownership of Spring Valley Building Centre. “I’ve always worked in this industry, so it was the right fit... we couldn’t be happier that we decided to take this path.” Spring Valley Building Centre’s success allowed the couple to purchase O’Leary Building Centre in 2013. Their brother-in-law, JD Sullivan, assumed the role of O’Leary’s general manager; soon after, in 2016, the James and Sullivan team acquired Town ’N Country Carpet One. The unique combination of products offered by Spring Valley Building Centre, O’Leary Building Centre, and Town ’N Country Carpet One ranges from cabinetry to blinds to flooring to paint. “Now, we can offer everything for a new home renovation, from start to finish,” James says. “We can supply the entire project, and the more you purchase, the better the overall price.”
The three locations emphasize that their employees are integral to their success. They agree that customer service is among their top priorities; since competition is fierce, PEI Living is told, all three businesses continually strive to elevate their customers’ experience with product knowledge, promotions, and competitive pricing. The team also considers PEI unique in its ability to provide direct interaction, as well as relationships, with community members supporting their businesses. 'Giving back' is a mandate all three businesses share. “We love to give back to the community… our earnings stay here in PEI.” The Boys and Girls Club Summerside, Camp Triumph, and the Prince County Hospital Foundation have all benefited through the James’ and Sullivans’ success.
◄FACING PG (L-R) Pam James, Mike James, Dawn Sullivan ▼(L-R) Sharon Stewart, Bethany MacDonald, Lisa DesRoches, Dawn Sullivan
SPRING 2018 www.pei-living.ca
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