1. How does it feel to be this year’s Kathleen Beaumont Hill Award recipient?
I am amazed and humbled I was selected! As I look at the list of past recipients, they have accomplished so much. As well, I have such respect for what the Hills have accomplished, so to be honoured by them means a great deal
2. Was there one professor or course at Queen’s that had a big impact on you?
The first most important person in the Queen's Business Faculty for me was Carl Lawrence - as he accepted me into the Commerce program from the Language Arts program I started first year in. Fortunately, I was quick to make the change in the first term of first year, having realized learning languages meant studying literature - not my thing no matter what the language
The second important person was Professor Dan Monieson. Through him I discovered Marketing, which confirmed my place in the business world. I still remember my 4th year Marketing paper - I chose to market Bayer Aspirin. Through Professor Monieson I also discovered the world of packaged goods marketing, which was an excellent foundation for my career.
3. Is running a chocolate company the greatest job in the world?
Running a chocolate retail company is definitely the best job in the world! I often feel like I need to pinch myself to make sure my life is real.
Chocolate makes people so happy, whether they buy it for themselves or whether they are giving it to someone else. When they are the recipient, they have the wonderful feeling of being cared about by someone else, especially when the giver has remembered the recipients favourites.
The second part I love about Purdys is it is retail - so we get to create a whole experience, not just a package on a shelf.
Thirdly, coming to work with my father, after gaining 13 years experience outside Purdys, was where I have enjoyed my relationship with my father the most. We are very aligned in how business should be done, and his encouragement and gentle prods have been wonderful.
4. You have managed to make Purdys the leading chocolatier in Canada. How did you do it?
The main ingredient in Purdys becoming the leading chocolatier in Canada was finding and building a great team. Initially sparking the creativity of the existing team brought a lot of change and improvement. Then as they retired, adding new people to the team who have made big contributions to Purdys success.
Secondly, sticking to the things Purdys is known for and enhancing them: top quality, good value, something-for-everyone at the Peak Seasons, and exciting offerings: new packaging and new recipes. And of course, having the courage to open shops in Ontario, and take on the 100 year old competitor: Laura Secord.
Building and maintaining relationships with the landlords have also been a key ingredient, as chocolate retailers as a category do not have as high sales levels as competitors for our locations. So it takes more relationship and persuasion to find top quality locations.
5. Purdys has been around for more than 100 years. Will it be around 100 years from now?
Of course Purdys will be around for the next 100 years!
It is so much a part of people's traditions at Christmas, Valentine's and Easter. As well, Purdys is celebrating all the other seasons that new comers to Canada have brought: Diwali, Lunar New Year/Chinese New Year, Visahki, Hanukkah....along with occasions customers have taught us they want: Thank you Teacher & Coach, special Hallowe'en chocolates, Thanksgiving. The most touching stories of Purdys being part of people's lives are the ones about the special bonds people have created with each with Purdys.
Chocolate will always be a favourite, whether there is a preference for dark good for you chocolate or creamy milk chocolate as a treat.
People we meet have favourites: Hedgehogs or Himalayan Pink Salt Caramels or Sweet Georgia Browns.....or mocha melties or ginger or cherries. We know they are the expert of that chocolate piece because they love it - so we are careful to make it the same way every time. We don't want to ever disappoint them.
Purdys will continue to listen to our many customers and anticipate where the trends are going....to give people what they want, whether it is recipes, sources of chocolate, packaging. And with Purdys 100% sustainable cocoa, we are ensuring the continued supply of good quality chocolate through helping farmers make higher incomes by producing more and higher quality beans.
