Common menu bar
Breadcrumb
Realizing Her Dream through Self-Employment
Whistler, British Columbia — Thanks to her determination and hard work, Marie Claude Laski has realized her dream of opening “Deeply Rooted Landscaping,” her very own landscaping business.
Originally from Quebec, Marie-Claude moved to Whistler, B.C., some 9 years ago. Through several administrative positions at a local hotel, she acquired important leadership and customer service skills.
Her passion for the outdoors then led Marie-Claude to work with a landscaping company, where she was promoted to the position of supervisor after just one year. Her subsequent position as manager with another company made it possible for her to work with an accomplished horticulturist – an experience that gave her not only a sound knowledge of horticulture, but also a great amount of confidence in her abilities.
When Marie-Claude was laid off in December 2008, she decided to become self-employed. She felt she needed more of a challenge and wanted to deliver services that were up to her standards. In the spring of 2009, she joined the Community Futures Self Employment Program, which is supported through funding under the Canada-B.C. Labour Market Development Agreement. The Department of Human Resources and Skills Development has Labour Market Development Agreements with all provinces and territories to provide employment and training programs designed to meet the needs of local industry and residents.
The Self-Employment Program helped Marie-Claude by providing both financial assistance and time to organize her business. This eased the pressure on her to find a second job in order to have a secure income. She learned how to develop a business plan, met with business advisors and participated in workshops where she obtained useful guidance.
Marie-Claude is pleased to report that “Deeply Rooted Landscaping” had a successful first year in business. It now employs two other workers, whom Marie-Claude met at her previous landscaping job. She is planning to add more employees in the future, as well as another truck, so the company can take on more work. The company is receiving great feedback and Marie-Claude is setting up for another, even busier season.
Marie-Claude likes to keep herself occupied by doing some of the work herself and notes that her clients love to see the owner of the company in their gardens. When she is not working, Marie-Claude spends time exploring B.C.’s rugged forest terrain with her husband, Stephen, and their dog, Pedro.
Through labour market programming, the Government of Canada is taking steps to counteract the effects of the global recession at home. As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government is investing an additional $1 billion over two years under existing Labour Market Development Agreeements with provinces and territories.