2017 Winner
Wise 50 Over 50 Award™
Don Webster – DW Webster Enterprises Ltd.
www.avam.biz
An energy management professional with over 30 years experience specializing in the Residential and commercial HVAC and Energy sector. Prior to buying my own business I was Regional Director for Direct Energy/Ainsworth for Atlantic Canada. Part of my job at Direct Energy/Ainsworth was to look for companies for buy out for growth. Company direction changed, (as multi – national companies do), and I found myself wondering if I should ask for a package. I re-connected with the owner of a small Heating/ Cooling service company in my local area. I took the plunge and asked for a package and then had the time to work out a deal that saw me borrow against the farm for the business, (yes, I bet the farm), almost two years ago.
I went into business for myself for the first time at 55 years of age. Terrified and excited at the same time I decided to purchase a heating and air conditioning company named Annapolis Valley Air Management which allowed me to use my acquired knowledge and live and work in the wonderful agricultural area in which I grew up.
From the year 2015 to 2017 we have experienced a 50% increase in revenue with the same office staff while increasing our field workforce by double. We are aiming for complimentary service businesses like electrical in the future. We are a member of the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Heating, Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning Institute of Canada. I’m on the board of the Kentville Business Park committee which is to promote and grow the Kentville Business Park in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.
The first six months were pure terror. Since then the business has improved by 50% and I am having a great time living and working in my home town. It all started because I wanted to work in my home town and I felt I couldn’t depend on multi-nationals for a job to take me to retirement in the future.
We are a member of the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Heating, Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning Institute of Canada. I’m on the board of the Kentville Business Park committee which is to promote and grow the Kentville Business Park in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.