Page 46 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE_Oct2025

MEMBERS SPEAK OUT

What was your first job and how did it leave a

lasting impression on you?

“It was at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, and I got the job because “My first job was at a gym. I was the receptionist and learned that the
it was part of a program for kids who were living in poverty. I got my little details that make the service extraordinary are not overlooked by
first the job on the palliative care unit. I remember I learned a lot; the the right customers.”
doctors and nurses, and recreation therapists mentored and supported - Julie Dupont, Reimagine Leadership
me, which helped me get launched into my helping profession today.” “I grew up on the family farm so I would have to say my first job was
- Dianne McLeod, CEO of the Cambridge Food Bank working on the farm. Even as a kid, I still knew I was part of something
“I used to work for an event management company back in India, right bigger and that is something I’ve tried to carry with me into business
out of 12th grade. – between the age of 16 or 18. My mom encouraged - making sure every member of the team understands how important
me, not because of the money I earned, but because of what I learned their individual efforts are to our overall success.”
from it – like waking up every day and showing up on time.” - Doug Wilson, Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
- Riddhi Vakaharia, InArch “My first job was at Silver City Kitchener. There, I learned the
“I was in banking for a while. I was 18 and it was a part-time summer importance of customer service; we were trained to point guests in
job, and I had a whole lot of filing to do. It taught me persistence the right direction with an open hand rather than a finger, and always
because it was something I had to do. I ended up in banking for 16 to greet people with a cheerful smile. It was also at Silver City that I
years.” first became fascinated by large-scale graphics. I realize this was my
- Stephanie Webster, Nedlaw Roofing Limited first spark of marketing inspiration and an early influence that helped
“My first job was working in maintenance at the Conestoga College rec shape my career ambitions.”
centre, and I got to drive the Zamboni. My dad worked at Conestoga - Ashley Gould, Cinis Marketing
College as an electrician, and he went to the rec centre all the time “My first job was as a copywriter and photographer in the Public
and told me they were hiring. It taught me a lot about responsibility.” Relations Department at Mutual Life of Canada which is now Sunlife. It
- Brett Broham, ReGroup Beyond Benefits opened many doors for me in my career. It was such a great company
“My first job was picking strawberries at a berry farm. I think it taught – a real community. The people I worked with were second to none and
me quality control because you had to pick the right berries, and make they taught me so much. I still have close friendships with colleagues
sure you didn’t smush them or you would get a few upset customers from those days and that is over 40 years ago.”
coming back with their baskets.” - Nora Whittington, Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership
- Bryan Merkus, ReGroup Beyond Benefits

YOU ASKED, WE ANSWERED!

Lawyer Real Estate

What is a triple net lease? Prepare Your Home for Winter

A triple net lease is a common type of leasing arrangement in A Canadian winter can be harsh, & the ice & snow can lead
to big homeowner headaches if the proper precautions aren’t
commercial tenancies, particularly where there are multiple taken. Here are a few things that you should do to prepare
tenants sharing a common building and other areas such as your home for winter.
parking lots. In such leases, in addition to base rent, the tenant • Check for cracks in the foundation
is proportionately responsible for paying three categories of • Pay attention to landscaping
what would otherwise be the landlord’s expenses, namely: • Have a professional inspect your chimney
1) property taxes; 2) building insurance; and 3) maintenance • Have your heating system inspected
costs – or “TMI”. Such leases will define these expenses as additional rent and • Flush out sprinkler systems & turn off exterior faucets
so a failure by the tenant to pay such expenses could lead to lockouts and • Add or replace weatherstripping
termination of the lease by the landlord with little or no notice. The apportioning Gary** & Debbie* • Replace your air filters
Baverstock
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by the tenant to the overall square footage of rentable space in the building. (toll-free) that it’s in the best possible condition before the season starts.
A triple net lease shifts the financial risks related to unexpected increases in ** Broker of Record Repair any problems ahead of time, because if you don’t, small
ongoing maintenance costs from the landlord to the tenant and theoretically * Broker issues can become big ones during a time of the year when it
results in a lower base rent which generates a stable return on investment for website: might be harder to repair them. Do a fall audit to ensure that
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email:
Gary@
McSevney Chaves LLP | 101-498 Eagle Street North, Cambridge TheBaverstockTeam.ca If you are considering making a move, no matter what the
519-653-3217 | www.mcsevneychaves.com season, contact The Baverstock Team today and let’s talk.
46 Fall 2025 www.cambridgechamber.com