Chantelle Mailer鈥檚 background was originally in fashion, something she found was easily transferable to home fashion and kitchen jewellery.
Gone are the days of choosing appliances simply between white or almond, with the majority of the store鈥檚 57 different brands of products now coming in a wide array of colour selections and styles.
Mailer is the owner of , now in its 33rd year. The store has had two different locations, both on Puntledge Road. Mailer says most customers are deceived by the exterior of the building, not realizing how expansive it is until they get inside and see the wide array of products in her showroom.
She believes it is one of the largest selection showrooms on Northern Vancouver Island and notes that it is also a 鈥榙og-friendly environment.鈥� Customers will often remark on the dogs that come to work with her and other team members. Mailer says it鈥檚 something she encourages for the team and customers for therapeutic reasons.
Courtenay Appliances prides itself on being a customer service based business and considers the team as being customer educators and consultants, rather than salespeople. With a team of approximately 10 employees, Mailer says she tries to maintain a diverse team of people.
She does however note a 鈥榮uper proud moment鈥� when one of her female employees recently scored 100 per cent in forklift training beating out the rest of the team. Mailer also believes her employees should be diverse in order to match her customer鈥檚 demographics.
She says the largest change in demographics is where women were once the primary cooks, there is now a huge shift as men have discovered that the love of cooking as well.
As an 鈥業sland girl,鈥� Mailer says it鈥檚 important for to be giving back to the community through groups like 100+ Women, Hospice, YANA and the Transition Society. Her special focus though is helping and supporting women and children in the community.