Sitting crosslegged on the floor, I listened and watched intently as my Dad patiently explained that the black wire was the 'live' one and went around the brass coloured screw while the white wire was the 'neutral' and went around the silver coloured screw of the new receptacle he was holding. After demonstrating what he had told me, he watched as I did the next one. The rest of the receptacles in the house were mine to change. I was 9 years old....and my training had begun!

It wasn't until many years later, when, at the age of 24, we bought our first house and I realized just how much my Dad had taught me. As someone who described himself as "a jack of all trades and a master of none", he had taught me the skills required to completely finish that first basement which included a laundry room, furnace room, rec room and bathroom. The bathroom alone entailed tearing up the concrete floor to connect to the main drain  and installing all the fixtures as well as a custom made vanity.

Since that time many years ago, I have renovated a second home of my own as well as several homes for friends and family. From there my endeavors expanded to renovating, repairing and maintaining homes for clients as a second income...to the point that the hours spent renovating exceeded those of my regular job. When this most recent economic turmoil reared it's ugly head, my traditional job disappeared as the company that employed me became a casualty of the times and was forced to close. Also during these years, I had discovered an afinity for woodworking and have almost completed the requirements for a cabinetmaking certificate.

Having acquired many years of experience, and with the instruction and backing of the Small Business Centre, I started my company, 'work of Art's'. This business is built and operates on the same principles that were instilled by my father: "Do every job right the first time because it takes longer to do it twice.",  "Do every job as if it was for yourself.", and most importantly, "Treat others with the respect and dignity with which you wish to be treated."