Self-employment
Ten-month-old Hearing Clinic already planning second locationSounds like successHelping people to live better lives is always good for business. ROGER PIERCE -- www.bizlaunch.ca |
|
 [ 2007-07-18 ] |
To find out, take this test by eCareerFit, the career assessment experts.
"It's a shame when folks miss out on conversations or music or other precious life moments," entrepreneur Donna Ross says.
Ross and her business partner Edmond Ayvazyan own The Hearing Source (www.hearingsource.ca), located at 1949 Kennedy Rd., Unit 2, just south of Hwy. 401 in Scarborough.
The Hearing Source serves the needs of the hearing impaired. The company supplies hearing tests, hearing aid sales and service, assistive listening devices, custom hearing protection, musician's "in-ear" monitoring systems, as well as sound isolating earphones.
Ross says there are many people who own hearing devices that don't fit properly, so they don't wear them constantly. "We can help make their current device perform better or supply a custom designed one," she says.
In business for less than a year, the company is already a hit with customers. It recently won The Scarborough Mirror's 2007 Readers' Choice Bronze Award for third Best Hearing Clinic in Scarborough.
ARMENIAN COMMUNITY
Ayvazyan says the company also sets itself apart from its competitors by being able to serve the Armenian community. "Some of our customers enjoy being able to do business with us in their native language," he explains.
Like any startup business owner, Ayvazyan admits he's learned a few important lessons. "You've got to expect the best, but plan for the worst," he says. "You've got to set reasonable financial expectations and keep a close watch on your numbers."
Future plans for the thriving business include opening a second Toronto location this August at 699 Coxwell Ave. at Danforth.
"A second location will help us to serve a larger number of customers, and that's very exciting," Ross says.
How many hours a week do you work?