Brian Maxfield is one of Sarnia’s most prolific small businessmen.
With his wife Sarah, he has been involved in the growth and partnership of 16 companies over the last 13 years.
Currently, their core companies are a wedding and event design school called IWED Global, the Crystal Kayak Company which ships to 38 countries worldwide, and MRC Consulting.
The Maxfields most recent venture is a private daycare called Lakeside Childcare that opened in April at the former St. Michael’s school in Bright’s Grove.
Maxfield appears to be a man of great optimism, but he doesn’t sugar coat the current challenges of exporting his goods and dealing with ever-changing red tape, fees, permits and regulations.
“The cost and expenses of distribution are always a struggle,” he said. “But there are so many fees and all of those costs just funnel right down to the consumer.
“In an industry like ours, specifically with the wedding events, the profit margins are now next to nothing because I can’t increase (my prices) to meet the extra costs that are there.
“It’s challenging,” Maxfield said. “It’s really hard to be able to employ people in today’s market when things are changing so often on a global level.”
Maxfield was the lone small business man on a panel of export experts assembled Thursday at a Business Summit hosted by the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce. The first-time event, which may be repeated annually, was held at the Four Points by Sheraton in Point Edward.
The summit brought together elected leaders including MPP Bob Bailey, MP Marilyn Gladu, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, Point Edward Mayor Bev Hand and Warden Kevin Marriott.
They spent the day with about 60 attendees who came to network and learn about everything from cyber security and investment trends, to global opportunities and the future of the energy sector.
Maxfield sat on a panel with reps from the Trade Commission, the Federal Bridge Corporation, Export Development Canada and MP Gladu.
“I think it’s a great role for the Chamber, bringing people together in a room to talk about all this,” said Maxfield. “Normally you wouldn’t have all of these people in one place who are interested in problem solving.”
He considers himself a problem solver too. Right now, one of his biggest problems is an inability to plan ahead. It’s tricky to set prices on goods because the cost of getting them in and out of the country fluctuates so much.
The problem is so serious that Maxfield has considered selling The Crystal Kayak Company and has abandoned plans to expand it.
He said when he asks the government for assistance, they say the problem originates with the shippers. And when he asks the shippers if they can provide more consistency, he’s told the problem lies with the government.
Domestically, the Maxfields opened their new childcare facility this spring recognizing there are over 1,000 children in Sarnia Lambton waiting for a daycare space.
As parents and foster parents, he said they know there is a dire need for high quality, affordable daycare that pays its staff well enough that they don’t require a second job.
They started with 43 spaces in April and already have expanded to 93.
While several of his international ventures are experiencing serious challenges because of the American recession and inconsistent rules and costs associated with export, Maxfield said he is literally unable to stop being an entrepreneur.
Since he made his first $5,000 at age 11, he’s been driven to create small business, he said.
“I’m going to just keep going,” he told his audience. “And if the companies can’t continue to do business across the border, then we’ll shift into something new.”