Chalet GM’s Daniel Powell loves his customers

Daniel Powell has been in the selling game for over 30 years

Daniel Powell, salesperson at Chalet GM, has a strong work ethic and appreciates his repeat customers. — Karen Kornelsen photo

Daniel Powell has been a salesperson at Chalet GM in Kimberley for seven years and has been in the selling game for over 30 years. Powell loves his customers in Kimberley and the surrounding area and strives to work hard while also enjoying life.

What do you like most about your job?

The people. Every day is a different day. The people that come around are great to deal with. To be able to serve them, help them and meet their needs is probably the best part of the whole thing.

Why did you get into this business?

I got into the car business due to health reasons. I was in construction for a term and got ill and basically had to find something that was easier on my body. So this is a lot better. Before construction, I was selling in the media field for over 20 years.

What was your very first job?

I worked in the lumber industry at Canada Cedar Pole out of Galloway (B.C.). I was a pole framer and helped make all the hydro power poles. I learned how to work hard. Back then the guys that were older who we used to work for, they had a really good work ethic. I had to work hard to keep up with them. It definitely paid off in life.

What is your number 1 passion outside work?

My wife and my dog. Other than that, I do have a lot of hobbies, like woodworking and doing finishing work. I also love the outdoors and love to snowshoe.

What advice would you give to someone going into this business?

Find a good teacher—and if you want to be serious and make a lifetime career out of it, repeat business is the number 1 thing. You don't want to be jumping around because most people are on a three-, four- or five-year cycle—so if you treat them right the first time, that person will keep coming back for life. You rely on repeat business. That's what's nice about working at Chalet GM; we find it is huge when it comes to repeat customers that are coming back year after year. We see people buy 10, 15 to 20 vehicles from us. That's what nice about working at a dealership that's been here for a long time and the employees themselves have been here for a long time.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Try to find something that's a niche and that you can enjoy for the rest of your life.