Episode Transcript
Speaker 0 00:00:00 Good morning, Fort McMurray, wood, Buffalo, and the rest of the world. You've tuned in to the Mac Sydney morning show. I am your host, Elliot Pierre, and we're going to start the show off the same way we start every show off with a moment of gratitude. I know you could be doing a million other things with your time. And the fact that you're spending with us truly does mean the world to me. So thank you on that note, Tanner hit him with the intro.
Speaker 0 00:00:30 All right. And we're back. As you can see, we are not on the set of the Mac city morning show. Um, I don't introduce my guests, so I'm definitely not going to introduce the location. I'm going to leave that to the person sitting next to me. So on that note, can you please tell everybody at home who you are and where we're at today?
Speaker 2 00:00:45 Good morning. My name is Ashley and we are at easy tomato downtown on Franklin. Okay,
Speaker 0 00:00:50 Sweet. So what is easy term auto all about?
Speaker 2 00:00:53 So we are a quality pre-owned vehicle dealership. We sell everything from small cars and SUV's
Speaker 0 00:01:02 Okay. That's okay. No worries. People walking by it's it's a business. That's what happens. So you smell, you saw smart, small cars and SUV's, but there's a bunch of classic cars in here. Your showroom is unbelievable. Like what is going on here? This is not your typical, okay.
Speaker 2 00:01:20 Diarrhea. Mom. We'll come back up when we're ready for you guys to come up. Okay.
Speaker 0 00:01:25 That's on the show. So that's okay. I love it. So yeah. What's going on here? This is not your typical used car lot.
Speaker 2 00:01:32 Yes. So we kind of wanted to bring something different and unique to Fort McMurray. So we thought bringing in some classic cars, um, muscle cars, sports, cars, that kind of thing. Just give people something different to look at different, to purchase different variety than any other dealership in town.
Speaker 0 00:01:49 All right. And people are obviously purchased purchasing it. Like I drive by we're here. We're we're right down on Franklin. Okay. The cars that you guys have out there, they're rotating constantly. So you're selling those classic cars. People there's obviously an appetite for those
Speaker 2 00:02:03 Definitely. And just the way the market goes, they don't necessarily all stay in Fort McMurray. Like we've shipped vehicles to Nova Scotia, Ontario Northern Alberta, BC.
Speaker 0 00:02:14 Interesting. So how did you get into this?
Speaker 2 00:02:18 Uh, my husband. So he has a passion for vehicles. Um, we were going to actually start this in 2016 and we got the ball sort of rolling in the winter of 2016 and we started to accumulate a little bit of inventory. And then right when we were almost ready to pull the plug and start the wildfire came through and took out all of our inventory that we bought. So we kinda had to put on the back burner and waited a couple more years. And then
Speaker 0 00:02:49 That's very, very cool. So do you have a car background as well? Or you just got into it because of, because of
Speaker 2 00:02:54 Your husband.
Speaker 0 00:02:56 Okay. And so how often, like, are you guys open? When can people come and see you? What are the business hours?
Speaker 2 00:03:01 Operations? We're open Monday to Saturday. Okay.
Speaker 0 00:03:05 96. Awesome. And we're right down on Frank Franklin avenue, like right across the street from like, uh,
Speaker 2 00:03:12 Kind of kidding. Cordial.
Speaker 0 00:03:14 Yeah. Awesome location. Yeah. Awesome. And so how long have you guys been in Fort McMurray?
Speaker 2 00:03:19 I've been here for 18 years. 18 years. That's a lie. That's why? Yeah.
Speaker 0 00:03:28 No, no. We're not editing anything. So roughly, like, it doesn't matter. 18 years is a long time. No,
Speaker 2 00:03:33 It wasn't 18. I think it's only like 13. Okay. Kyle's been here for like over 20. Okay.
Speaker 0 00:03:38 Okay. And so what brought you here?
Speaker 2 00:03:40 Just like everybody else work.
Speaker 0 00:03:42 Yeah. What kind of work were you in too? Um,
Speaker 2 00:03:44 I did contracts for some core. Okay,
Speaker 0 00:03:46 Nice. That's not a bad
Speaker 2 00:03:48 Deal. No, it wasn't too bad. And then my husband started a construction company. So once we had our first child, I started to help out with that. Right.
Speaker 0 00:03:57 Right. Okay. And so where are you from originally? Nova Scotia. What part of Nova Scotia? True. Okay. Yeah. I've been there no way. I've spent a lot of time in the east coast. I know I'm born and raised in Fort McMurray, but in a previous career, I used to be in human resources. So I did a lot of recruiting. So I spent an abundant amount of time on the east coast.
Speaker 2 00:04:17 Yeah. Oh,
Speaker 0 00:04:18 It's gorgeous. It was gorgeous right before the pandemic actually. Um, like literally right before the pandemic, um, I was in Halifax for a business trip and I love
Speaker 2 00:04:27 Halifax. It is beautiful though. Waterfront is top
Speaker 0 00:04:30 Nuts. Yeah. We stayed in the Lord Nelson hotel. Oh, it's, it's a historical building. Like I love staying in the Lord Nelson, so yeah. Halifax is sweet and it's, there's a lot of history. There's a lot of history. So we had some, uh, little people run into set there a little bit ago. Are you responsible?
Speaker 2 00:04:47 I am, yes. This is Austin. Do I come over and say hi.
Speaker 0 00:04:51 Hi. Okay. We got Austin on behind. Okay. And you have
Speaker 2 00:04:54 Two children? Yes. And then my daughter, Ella.
Speaker 0 00:04:56 So, uh, during the pandemic working from home with them, what was that like for you? How did you keep them busy?
Speaker 2 00:05:02 We worked from the dealership. Yeah. Yeah, we did. So pretty much. We had a routine. We'd get up in the morning and they'd come down here and they would do their online learning at the table. Well, me and Kyle were doing work with customers. Right.
Speaker 0 00:05:16 And made it work. This is not a bad office or not a bad school setting, I should say for your kids. That's pretty cool. So how did you guys come up with this concept though? Like, this is like, it's unbelievable. This is the coolest garage I've ever been in and it's spotless and you have a jukebox, you have cars. Would license plates. Like unfortunately at home you can't see it all, but you should come check it out. It's amazing. How did you come up with this?
Speaker 2 00:05:41 So we had the vision. Um, we worked with a local company called core Coda and they helped us do like the engineering, the design, the planning, that kind of stuff. And then it was a combined effort between my husband, Kyle, and one of our employees, Sam and myself. And they help to source out all the material. And then it was Sam and he had one or two other gentlemen and help him out. Did it
Speaker 0 00:06:10 All. It's amazing. It's a really cool spot.
Speaker 2 00:06:13 It is. Yeah. No, they did a lot of, a lot of awesome, great little details that sort of make it.
Speaker 0 00:06:18 Yeah. Yeah. I have to imagine people come in here. Not even to buy cars, just to hang out and check this place out.
Speaker 2 00:06:24 Yes. I, Ray comes in and they're like, oh man, this is like a cool little spot. Let's crack a beer or something.
Speaker 0 00:06:29 Exactly. Yeah. Different. Yeah. Really cool. So you've got into this industry because of your husband, but I have to assume at this point you've found some form of interest in cars. If you could drive any car, what would it be?
Speaker 2 00:06:42 You orange Dodge outside the
Speaker 0 00:06:43 Orange. Outside. Okay. What about that gets, uh, puts a smile on your face.
Speaker 2 00:06:47 It's just an old classic truck. It reminds me of my grandfather and it's one of my favorites. And then I also like this Hennessy behind you. Unfortunately it's a standard. I can't drive a standard. Oh no, no. Just I can look at it and
Speaker 0 00:07:03 Okay. Yeah. You have amazing cars here. It's unreal. I came by, I have an old mg midget, just a British sports car convertible. And I drove by one day and I was chatting with Sam and yeah, it's cool that it's like a hangout is what it turned into. Like I had no idea what you guys are all about. I just kept driving by and seeing these cars and I'm like, I got to go see what that's, what those guys do down there. And then I just came down here and it was like an hour of chatting and it was just a fun place to come and hang out. Thank you.
Speaker 2 00:07:31 And that's kind of what we, we do enjoy that. Like we encourage people to come on down and have a look. And most of the classic cars, people do have a story. Right. You know, whether like this one reminds me of what my grandfather used to have or my dad or my uncle. And it's just nice to like, share those stories with, you know, the public and people, ideas sorta make a little bit of a connection. That's true.
Speaker 0 00:07:51 That's right. No, that's cool. Okay. We have a segment on this show called the Mac city minute. Tanner is going to ask you a few quick questions. I have no idea what he's going to ask you. Best of luck. Tanner hit her with the Maxine a minute.
Speaker 3 00:08:02 Alrighty. Question number one. What has been your favorite vehicle you've seen come through this dealership?
Speaker 2 00:08:10 The little blue truck right over here. I know we can't see it. Um, but it is just a little blue, regular cab pickup truck, fully restored. It's
Speaker 0 00:08:20 Like a great driver. Nice
Speaker 3 00:08:23 Question. Number two. What has been the most interesting interaction you've had since starting this dealership?
Speaker 0 00:08:32 That's hard one.
Speaker 2 00:08:35 I'm not really sure. I guess one of the ones we just sort of talked about is the fact that I just like, when people come in and then you just get to meet different people, hear their stories, see their vehicles. Yeah. That kind of thing. Yeah.
Speaker 3 00:08:50 Question number three. What is your favorite part of being a part of, so of your own small businesses within Fort McMurray?
Speaker 2 00:08:59 Just the ability to be able to give back to Fort McMurray. That's a huge thing that we try to do, um, when we can and where we can to support charities. Yes. We appreciate the support from the community as well.
Speaker 3 00:09:13 That's awesome. Question number four. What is your favorite part of being able to sell vehicles that make people so happy?
Speaker 2 00:09:23 Seeing the smile on their face? Honestly, just like not everybody, you know, can sign the vehicle that they're looking for, that kind of thing. And sometimes people come by and they see this and I've been looking for this one for so long or whatever. And when you can get somebody into it and they can drive away with a smile on their face. Love it.
Speaker 3 00:09:43 Yeah. And your final question, what is your go-to way to relax on a Sunday around town?
Speaker 2 00:09:50 I like taking the kids to the park. There's a lot of different products in Fort McMurray. Can you try to take them to different ones and spend some time together?
Speaker 0 00:10:00 Yeah. I was just going to ask which parks. So you go, there's tons of parks in Fort McMurray. There is. So which, one's your favorite ones? So far?
Speaker 2 00:10:07 The kids love the one in Sabri Creek. Oh, park. They, zip lines is sorta like a little bit all of it. And then I think the second favorite would probably be one of them. Waterway
Speaker 0 00:10:18 20 waterways. OAA. Yeah. Yeah, because they have like the waterpark that's around there. Yeah. My, my kid likes the one out in SAPRA as well. It's amazing. And then you can play mini golf there as well, but there's a huge park up in Avocet. I don't know if you've checked out what he tall
Speaker 2 00:10:35 Structure. Yes.
Speaker 0 00:10:37 He thinks he's on top of the world and we go there
Speaker 2 00:10:40 Pretty much is. Yeah,
Speaker 0 00:10:41 Exactly. All right. Well, that's the end of the show, short and sweet. So thank you very much for letting us come by your awesome shop today. Um, please, if you ever want to come to our set or invite us back down, we'd love to film more episodes with you. Um, that being said at the end of the show, we give, uh, our guests the mic to do a shameless shout out or a plug. So the camera's on you, the Mike's on you, whatever you want to promote, this is your opportunity.
Speaker 2 00:11:05 I just want to say thank you to Fort McMurray in general. Uh, we do appreciate all of the support that the community has shown us. And we look forward to being able to support Fort McMurray.
Speaker 0 00:11:16 I can return. There we go. Awesome. Well, Fort McMurray, wood, Buffalo, and the rest of the world. That's been another episode of the Mac city morning show. Once again. Thank you so much for tuning in it truly does mean the world to me. Hopefully you're having a great day. We'll see you tomorrow. Peace
Speaker 4 00:11:31 Y Dalio Wade, and another morning show later by us.
Speaker 1 00:11:40 You
Speaker 5 00:11:49 Talk about quenching your ugly thirsty.
