No better place than Revelstoke

Steven Hui, Revelstoke’s Business Person of the Year, talks to Kootenay Business about family, business and community service

1 of 3Steven Hui offers excellent customer service at his Pharmasave store in Revelstoke. — Photo by Keri Knapp of Revelstoke Photo

2 of 3Steven Hui is the owner of Pharmasave in Revelstoke. — Photo by Keri Knapp of Revelstoke Photo

3 of 3Steven Hui participates in an active lifestyle outside his store. — Photo by Keri Knapp of Revelstoke Photo

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How long have you lived in Revelstoke, and what brought you to the area?

I came to Revelstoke in 1984 and I basically moved here for a job. Many of my friends and people I know in town here also originally came here for work opportunities. There was actually a friend of the family that had a drugstore here, so (there was) a little bit of a connection that went back quite a ways to when I was younger.

What do you appreciate most about the lifestyle in the Revelstoke area?

I probably began to fully appreciate it when I had my family. I started my business career when I bought my business (now Pharmasave) in 1987, but you start having children and I think at that point you sort of appreciate the safety, the friendliness and the flexibility of doing whatever you like, basically. I mean, legally, of course. Everything is within 10 or 15 minutes from town.

Business-wise, I couldn’t do what I do here in a larger centre. I mean, it’s so much more competitive and expensive to do business elsewhere.

Your store, Pharmasave, won the Community Support Excellence Award from the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce. Why do you feel it's important, as a business, to invest in the community?

Well, it’s one of our ways of paying back. For myself, it was my faith too, I guess. I came here and it’s been very good to myself and my family. I think it’s important to help wherever you can. You can’t always give everything, but you try to do something for most everybody. We have a special soft spot for students and younger people. We try to support amateur sports and lots of the non-profits where we can, especially where there’s children involved—families and children.

You were also named Business Person of the Year by the chamber of commerce. What do you feel made you a consideration for this honour?

It’s certainly a real humbling experience. We try to do what we think is best, in business. I think one of the things that I’ve been fortunate to have is a pretty good core staff that’s been with me a long time; they understand my philosophy of running a business. They basically run the show these days. I mean, we get together and we chat about things, but when you have people who can work together, there’s a real momentum. I can’t be everywhere, can’t do everything well at the same time either, so I really rely on them a lot.

We just went through probably a year or two of tough times out there. I always felt that when there’s a quiet time that’s a real opportunity to do some training and strategizing. It always gets back on track—whether it’s a year, maybe two or three years—but things snap around again. I’ve seen it three or four times in my business career. We take the opportunity when it’s quiet. I do most of my renovations, maybe building things, during those quiet times. It might be more economical. Typically, there’s less competing and people tend to be a little sharper with their pricing, things like that.

Can you tell me what you like best about running a business in Revelstoke?

I would say the ability to really decide or steer your future. You can grow pretty much as quickly and as big as you want, within reason. Having your own future in your hands (may be scary, but) I’d be hard pressed to work for somebody down the road. I think it feels good when you can get something right.

What have been the biggest challenges about maintaining a business in the area?

Probably about two, three, maybe four years ago—the economy was good then, actually—it was difficult to find staff . . . Within about 18 months, there was about 11 or 12 people (who moved) away, either out of town or (they) moved to other jobs or retired—things along those lines. I’ve never had that many changes in that period of time. I think in a good economy it’s maybe better for business, but it can be challenging in many other aspects, especially the human resources side.

What do you like to do in your downtime?

I like to spend time with my wife and my daughters. They’re teenagers now, so a lot of activities are maybe just little trips out of town or on holidays. What I enjoy are quiet nights: sometimes just playing guitar—maybe a nice bottle of wine and some music going on.

Are there any ways that you’re personally involved in the community?

Yes, I sit on several boards as (a) volunteer: one is the district health foundation and then the Revelstoke Community Foundation. I’m also an active Rotarian and there’s a couple of advisory committees that I sit on throughout the city.

Do you feel Revelstoke has been a positive choice for you and your family?

I don’t think there would be a better place, really. I’ve travelled quite a few areas throughout Canada and a few in the States as well. This is a comfortable place.

So you don’t anticipate leaving Revelstoke in the future.

No, not at all.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering work and life in Revelstoke?

It’s probably to find some type of work. It should be rewarding personally, but if you can make a living at it then you’re probably in the minority. Don’t be afraid to chase something that you might see as very difficult. It may take time, but don’t ever give up. You could always have regrets—you know, “maybe I should’ve done that.” But just always keep yourself pointed and working at it. This is a good province and a good country. The opportunities abound out there. Stay in school. Did I say that? Stay in school—don’t quit!

Is there anything else you would like to mention?

I’m always marvelling at the richness of this area here. Maybe in a way it’s good that we’re not going to see hundreds of thousands or millions of people move into this area. Sometimes small is good,; small is safe. And (it’s good to make sure) you don’t lose the values of your community. A lot of it has to do with heritage—you know, culture or music, there might be art, etc.—but I think that gives your town and community its personality. We need to support those aspects as a business community because that’s really what separates us. You can travel to larger resorts, but they cookie-cut them. Yes, it’s a nice time, but it’s not authentic.