CANADIAN SNOW BEING USED FOR SNOWCONES DOWN SOUTH

 DUSTY | Foodie Page

A blanket of snow covering trees, roads, or buildings, is a sight many of us Canadians take for granted. But, it is a sight most southern Californians have never witnessed before. That may explain the surprising demand for Canadian snow, which they are consuming by the ton - in the form of snow cones.

A small company, The SNOW Cone Cart, located in Oxnard CA, has recently started using snow in its snow cones instead of the traditional shaved ice. The snow supplier they have subcontracted out to is a Canadian firm located in British Columbia. Owner and operator Carl Mendez believes this 'imported snow' gives him an advantage in the highly competitive snow cone market - and he may be right. Since launching the 'Real SNOW cone', as he dubbed it, his sales have sky rocketed, so much so that he is planning an expansion into new markets and is even looking into a franchising option. Even considering the higher price of the snow cones, due to the increased shipping costs and storage of the snow, Mendez can barely keep up with the demand.

Could this be the start of a new market for one of Canada's least used natural resources?

A comment from the Ministry of Economic Development thinks so. Spokesman Irving Irvine commented, "according to the preliminary numbers, we could be on the forefront of millions of dollars worth of snow being exported...one day we could be looking at adding twenty to thirty thousand good paying jobs in BC alone." Currently snow exports account for under $10,000 in trade.

Interest in the business community is also ramping up with one local entrepreneur starting the process of legalizing claims on snow located atop crown lands, similar to a logging or mining claim. This request is currently pending in the provincial courts, but, is expected to be ruled on in the next few weeks.

On the environmental front, a group of young environmentalists calling themselves AARS (Alliance Against Removing Snow) have started an online petition calling for the ban on extracting and exporting snow. As of today they had just over one hundred thousand signatures. Other environmental groups (WWF, Coalition of the Environment, Treehuggers, Naturalists of BC) have voiced concerns over what they are viewing as another environmental scar caused by business. One tweet from the NOBC that was trending high last week, has really brought the topic to the forefront, "I understand the logging industry replanting the trees they harvest, but, what are they going to do about the snow they take? You can't replant snow! #SAVETHESNOW"

This seemingly insignificant decision to use a scoop of real snow on a snow cone is already causing waves throughout many levels of Canadian society. Is this going to be another oil sands debate, pitting Canadians against one another? 

13:34 | Vancouver

UPSCALE CHEQUE CASHING CASH ADVANCE BOUTIQUE

PAYDAY LOAN - SWISS STYLE

Dusty's Digital Digest | Business Pages

The payday loan industry has come under a lot of criticism lately for taking advantage of a vulnerable section of society by charging extremely high, some argue illegally high, rate of interest. But, one new business owner Sigrid Schultz wants to change this. A new immigrant to Canada, Brampton to be exact, from Switzerland, Siggy (as he refers to himself) brings years of experience in the Swiss style of banking which he has transposed onto his new financial 'payday loan' business. He wants to transform the image of a sleazy run down neon lit shop serving poverty stricken individuals to more of a traditional discreet, elegant, rich looking establishment similar to the banks in his homeland of Switzerland. He makes a good point that the fees and interest rates charged justify such a look.
So, I took a trip down to the stately looking store front on Dundas Street to chat with Siggy about his new venture.

Why here and why now?
Canada is far behind in the financial world, especially in the payday loan market. There appears to be only one choice for those looking for a payday loan, the discount store. The market for high end payday loans is untouched, is unserved. Every other industry has multiple levels of quality, why not the payday loan market? It was time for someone, it just happened to be me, to come in and provide a high quality service and product.

What makes you think this will work?
I don't mean any disrespect by my Swiss bluntness here, but, have you looked into the profit margins in this industry? Some products are reaching 300% interest rates! That is unheard of in any developed country, especially in a legal business. You hear of the underground market full of loan sharks, I believe you call them here, and big men sent to break an arm charging this high of interest rates. So I think, why not take the legal route and do the payday loan business?

What will set you apart from these 'discount' payday loan firms?
That is an easy one Dusty - Service, style, and complimentary beverages. Service will be upmost. I want to replicate the style found in Switzerland. One where you know your banker, and trust your banker, more than their wife. That was a joke. One of upmost discretion as well. Our look will also be important. I know I would not sleep at night if the banker dealing with my money was not wearing at least a three piece Armani suit back when I lived in Europe. Even our overdue bill collectors will be required to wear a jacket, no synthetics either. Lastly we will bring the Swiss tradition of having a drink when dealing with money; espresso, cappuccino, champagne will all be offered.

I wished Siggy 'goodluck', finished my espresso, and made my way out the door. On my way out I did hear positive comments from the many patrons coming and going. One gentleman was coming in for his third meeting, and glass of champagne, of the day. It was only ten in the morning. If Siggy's shop attracts customers at this rate there is a 300% guarantee it will be successful for many years to come.

Dusty | GTA | 12:35 pm

LIGHTBULB IDEA

THERE IS A LIGHTBULB ABOVE THIS GUY'S HEAD

DUSTY DIGEST | SEPTEMBER 2013

This new business could revolutionize the way we see the light.

Bob Sullivan had the bright idea to start providing his community with a service that had gone unfilled since the dark ages - changing lightbulbs. With an average of thirty two lightbulbs per household lasting between two to five years a piece, there are a lot of lights that need to be changed. As with most things in modern society we are outsourcing, finding a pro to do our dirty work. And, that is where Bob comes in. He's found a niche where he can fulfill his passion and make people's lives just a little bit brighter at the same time.
I sat down with Bob to chat, let him shine a little light on this complicated subject.


What made you think changing a few lightbulbs could turn into a business?
Well, Dusty, I had one of those life changing experiences a couple years back. Walked into my elderly Grandmother's home to find her sitting, alone, in the dark. Turns out her lightbulbs had blown and she couldn't reach up to replace them. That got me thinking, how many other elderly folk are out there sitting in the dark? For that matter, how many other people are out there who lack the knowledge and expertise to change a lightbulb? How about those that just don't have the time to go out and get a new bulb, take the old one out, and screw the new one in. I'm thinking busy business  people or single mothers with a gaggle of kids to look after. There are lots of people out there that need my help.
You know those jokes that start out, how many whatever does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Well, in some cases nobody can screw in the lightbulb. And, I personally find that sad. Made me want to help.

What kind of services do you provide?
I offer a variety of plans, as I call them. Your basic plan, the bread and butter of my business, I'll come through your house on a monthly basis, check every lightbulb and replace the ones that need replacing. The Deluxe plan is where I come more often, every day or two, and again, go through the house checking for burnt out bulbs. Oh, and the Deluxe plan includes those specialty bulbs. What I mean by that is the bulbs in your oven, in the dryer, any outside lighting. I also do a Christmas special, where I'll come in and check your tree and your outdoor string of lights, that type of thing.
With every plan I do an initial consult with the client, going over the different options of bulbs. I have to point out here, the feedback I've gotten on this is amazing. If you've ever gone and looked down the lightbulb aisle at the Home Depot you'll know the massive variety of bulbs out there is, for some, overwhelming. You have the choice of incandescent, CFLs, flourescent, big, medium, small, dim, blue light, sun ray, soft. You can see by my examples that modern lightbulbs are not as simple as they used to be. In many cases you do need a pro, like me, to help guide you through all of the choices.

I read you offer a 24 hour emergency service. What exactly does that entail?
You can call me anytime, I mean anytime, and I'll rush over and change a bulb. This happens a lot at night. You'll be sitting there reading and all the sudden the light goes out. Well, what do you do? Call me. I'll bring over my van, full of every type of bulb you'd ever need, and I bring the lights back on.

Do you get many emergency calls?
You'd be surprised Dusty. Seems that if a light is going to go, it'll go when you need it - at night! I've had a few sleepless nights, I can tell ya. But, it's worth it. When you save someone's night like that, see the look on their face, it's worthwhile.

Future Plans?
I'm planning on hiring an employee in the near future. It's tough though, it takes a certain person to be able to really shine. You need to have a bright personality, extensive knowledge of lightbulbs, and it doesn't hurt if you are tall.
I'm also putting together a back to school package aimed at the parents of College and University kids. I know if my child were away, living on their own for the first time, it would be nice to have the piece of mind that someone is looking out for their lighting needs. Especially, if you have one of those kids that sleep the daylight hours away.

As the lightbulb industry becomes ever more complicated we will be in need of people like Bob.

For more info see Bob's website