A couple of weeks before Chris passed away, he told me about his buddy Tanner and how he was going into the vacuum business. Would I help him out? Could I talk to him? Could I give him some business advice? My initial answer was sure, but I had questions too. Wasn’t Tanner in school? Why vacuums? Really….a 17 year old kid opening a retail operation? Really?
You know Tanner. He spoke at Chris’ funeral and was a great friend. Sometimes school doesn’t fit for everyone at the exact time we think it’s going to. For Tanner, right now the timing is wrong. Now before we go any further I’ll tell you something (and Tanner listen up…this is in WRITING now with witnesses!!) Several weeks ago, Tanner and gang were over and I made Tanner promise he would complete his GED at some point. He agreed. Tanner we have a deal!
That being said, we currently have a business to run. You see, Tanner’s family runs the Big Gary vacuum stores and that’s how Tanner has learned the business. And yes it’s true, at age 17, this young man is opening his own retail operation in Port Moody called Newport Vacuums! His website is a simple marker with contact info for the time being. So…if you are somewhere in the Port Moody area and need a new vacuum or have a broken system that needs some fixing, Tanner is your guy. He is having is GRAND OPENING on Saturday, May 22 at 202 Newport Drive, Port Moody, BC.
Tanner…I wish you every success in your new business. I know Chris would have loved to have you in school with him and the gang, but he also understood school was a tough choice right now and he REALLY wanted you to do well and that’s why he was asking me if I could help you. You and I have had some great business conversations in the past several weeks and I wish you all the success in the world! Remember your customers first and most everything will fall into place for you….and in the long run, don’t forget…we have a deal about that GED, ok?
PS Great voicemail on your business line. Customer oriented, energetic and approachable. Good work.
Be The Best. 
4 replies on “Vacuums and grief…why not?”
Hello Randy, What an amazing article! You are very inspiring to my son, and I thank you for being a wonderful role model for him. God Bless you and your family
Dayna
Randy this is great your a hero! We have a deal and im sticking to it and getting that GED i hope to see you soon so i can beat you in ping pong again have a good one.
Tanner
Love to hear it Tanner! I know you’ll do it. Good luck on the store opening and we’ll be visiting the shop in the next few weeks.
Hey Tanner, sorry to see the business didn’t work out.’
If you are still in the vacumm servise business we need one of our wall jacks fixed.