Hansons Beginnings (cont'd)

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I remember thinking, "Who the heck replaces their windows?" After seeing their business, I finished the term at school and went to work for the window company. I was a Canvasser (a door knocker). I moved into sales shortly thereafter, and was reminded by my father to be a sponge. He told me to learn the business. My dad always reminded me to work hard which I always did. He also told me to be true to myself and to others.

My Dad's friend and his son ran a very successful company. I learned a ton from them. The son became a friend and to this day we keep in touch.

I moved on to another company and learned exactly what not to do. Selling a great product was not enough. You needed to have amazing customer service as well. The employees I worked with actually had contempt for the customers. To them, customers were an inconvenience. I remember thinking that if I ever owned my own business, things would be run very differently.

I decided I would go back to night school to pass the tests needed to open a window company of my own. I remember how diligent I was about this work. I walked into the testing room knowing I would ace the test...and I DID!

Looking back, my dad taught me to work from the heart and to be true to myself. My mother used to say, "Brian, you are truly your father's son." My father's name was Hanley. I named the company "Hansons" which was short for Hanley's son.

My father was able to see my business flourish during his lifetime. My father died in 1992 of a heart attack. Fortunately for my father, he died in his sleep. He was only 49 years old.

Just a few days before my father died, I ran into him by chance at a local parking lot. He said, "Brian I am sure proud of you, I made a winner." That spirit lives within me and within Hansons everyday ....Thanks Dad ...I love you.

Brian Elias,
President of Hansons