Just 10 days ago as I was just about to head out for my morning run, I noticed a strange grimacing look on my wife’s lovely face as she scrunches her perfect ears to her cell phone.
“It’s an urgent message from the fire department in Poco (Port Coquitlam), she blurts, “They want me to call them back immediately?”
I’m thinking, why would the Port Coquitlam Fire Dept. have her number? I’m the one with the office in Poco. Maybe I gave the city her number when I applied for my business license?
Within minutes she’s speaking with the operator as she explains that there’s a possibility that your husbands business is on fire. The whole block has been barricaded and the fire department is currently fighting the blaze. See Global News Footage HERE
Needless to say our run was cancelled and we headed out to have a look at what’s going on.
From the front of the building it didn’t look too bad, in fact, it appeared under control by the fire department and I was sure I could salvage some of my office contents.
then when I headed around back I saw this…
Once I viewed the complete devastation with my own eyes, I realized that I must surrender to the blaze and let go of any pre – conceptions I might have about salvaging anything from the fire. Everything was gone, burned or burning and there was absolutely nothing I could do.
Thank goodness no one was injured and the fire crew was professional and courteous all the way through the fiasco. It took nearly three days to calm the blaze. It’s amazing what a ridiculously dry Vancouver summer and some asbestos can do.
Our building was old and in need of modernizing. Now there’s no choice but to rebuild and create a new structure to fill the void. Maybe something with a mixture of office, retail and apartments would do.
The next few days were a blur, I knew my sales team couldn’t go out that day as all our stock was up in flames. I had to quickly prioritize what needed to be done, First things first, RIGHT?
My company’s current product is a printed certificate that needed to be re-printed and FAST.
It’s at times like this when you find out if your service providers are behind you or not. I have to say that my awesome printers in Maple Ridge went out of their way to get us product by the next day and even earlier than expected.
This unselfish act just before a long weekend will be duly remembered… and guess who’s loyal and hopelessly devoted NOW?
Our team was back out on the road by day 2 and we’re currently meeting up at food courts and coffee bars to do our kick off meetings and training sessions. I have to say how awesome Vancouver’s business community has been over this trying period. I’ve had old colleagues and local Poco business people unselfishly offer their office space rent free to us just as news broke out about the fire. How fantastic is that?
I was too busy dealing with police interviews, client meetings, team meetings and the rest to give much reflective thought to what kind of impact this event would have on my business. And it was 4 days before I had a chance to drive by for a quick look while on my way to the post office.
As I looked up at the empty space where my office once was, I noticed a strange squarish figure close by where my desk was previously located. Low and behold there it was my favorite chair in all it’s glory.
My BIG BLACK EXECUTIVE CHAIR has travelled with me to 5 offices in 3 countries and it had not been defeated. It’s standing there defiant and with a welcoming tone. “Here I am Dom, it’s SCREAMING! Come and rescue me, you see I didn’t go down with the flames!” My Big Black Chair is gesturing.
As I shared my enthusiasm with the fire investigators, one mentioned that maybe my buddy who’s been closer to me than many over the years could possibly be a relic for the MAN CAVE! And how right he was, as MY BIG CHARRED BLACK EXECUTIVE CHAIR (now named Chaarrley) patiently awaits steadfast and ready to return home.
Dominic Kotarski – International Consultant | Author | Coach | Trainer | Speaker
