Perry Vermette, Vermette Wood Products, Prince Albert
By: Cassi Smith
CCDF is a proud supporter of Métis entrepreneurs and businesses. From financing and support programs, to accessing Indigenous business networks, a relationship with CCDF means much more than initial backing. “I absolutely recommend CCDF every chance I get,” says long-standing client, Perry Vermette. “If I can see someone is a hard worker and has a good idea, absolutely I would recommend them to CCDF in a heartbeat – no questions asked.”
Perry, who is the second-generation owner of Vermette Wood Products, began his relationship with CCDF back in 1993. He applied for a loan for his then janitorial service business and has maintained the partnership ever since. Most recently, Perry accessed CCDF’s Business Development Program for the purchase of a new boiler for VWP. “I was never that proud that I wouldn’t ask for help,” says Perry, something he continues to practice in his business today. “As a successful entrepreneur, I learned how to find people who knew how to solve challenges and learn from them. It may have only been knowledge but without that knowledge I would not have become as successful as I have.”
By investing in people and with CCDF investing in them, VWP gained considerable success and has since been able to give back to the community, something Perry says is of the upmost importance. “The biggest and most important thing to me as a Métis business owner is the ability to help people,” says Perry. “VWP considers itself a part of the community and we aim to help people be proud of the work they’ve accomplished and appreciate who they could be in the future. We want to provide as much assistance to the community as we can, and we particularly go out of our way to help children’s sports programs and schools.”
Perry’s commitment to his community is perhaps matched only by his commitment to his employees. “Through the years, Wendy and I have stopped counting employees,” laughs Perry. “There’s probably been an excess of 2000 now, and still I will see somebody that used to work for me, and they’ll say, ‘hey boss, I’m going to retire from the hospital. That’s because of you giving me an opportunity.’” Perry’s philosophy as an employer is simple: “Right is right and wrong is wrong. Helping people to become better is right,” he says. “I often call individuals into my office that didn’t show up for work and I say to the young fella, ‘don’t you want to be better than your dad? Because if you become better than your dad, then little guy at home, he becomes better than you. And in five generations, their grandson or daughter – they become a lawyer. That’s because you started to make a difference.’”
Making a difference is something Perry, VWP, and CCDF have in common. Investing in the right people and refusing to believe anything is impossible is paramount to success. “To be honest, it takes a special individual that refuses to be beat down or told no,” says Perry. “A true entrepreneur will find a way. It might be today; it might be tomorrow but they will find a way.”
