Calgary's Hemporium was created by, Ms. Lisa Daum in April of
1995. After a number of years of self-employment, Ms.Daum was visiting friends in Toronto and happened upon a cool store named
" A Friendly Stranger". It sold hemp goods and related funky items. Lisa immediately recognized the need for a similar store in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and, upon returning from Toronto
set the process in motion. Using her own money she purchased
inventory, negotiated a trial lease, and put together Calgary's
most in-demand quality hemp and related products retail
store.
Hemporium's first year of business was discouraging to say the least. Apart from
the usual woes of a fledgling business eg; (lack
of capital,
clientele, experience etc.) Lisa was further hampered by an absentee
landlord and his crooked lawyer, a stunned, spiteful evil "building
manager"(how ya doin' PEARL, ya' useless twat!!!). It was all too
evident; the store had to move. |
|
Many factors
worked to undermine the new store's success. Moving, nervous
bankers, a thieving manager and expensive U.S. suppliers that
demanded payment in advance are to name but a few. (actually,
pre-payment to the U.S. was the fault of Myron Bulloney & free
trade). Combine these conditions with the fact that Canadians knew
virtually nothing about hemp and its value and you have a recipe
that would make even a seasoned entrepreneur queasy.
Now in its
sixteenth successful year and expanded store, Hemporium enjoys
an excellent relationship with customers, neighbours,suppliers, our
landlord and sometimes even our country's tax collectors. As
Calgary's original hempstore continues, Southern Alberta can watch
for expanding services in the near future, while still receiving the highest levels of service based on the satisfaction guaranteed
principle. |
