ing to show up on the scene. My brother Albert created a software program for us in high school and as part of his assignment, we started keeping track of our parts and creating invoices on the computer. It’s crazy to think that the internet wasn’t even around then. If we were trying to find something, we had to look in the yellow pages or something called the Thomas Registry. Now looking back and saying that, I sound like a fossil. One thing for sure in my mind, nothing ever changes more than change itself. When I look back at some of the key pivotal moments in our life here at Kooy If you told me at that time that we’d one day be the largest volume Kubota dealer in Canada, I would’ve had a hard time believing you. Most times when you’re in something difficult, it’s tough to envision your future ahead looking any different. Sometimes mistakes can be your best teacher. My best advice is to just stay dedicated to the process, keep working hard and never stop dreaming. The next event was purchasing our own building. From 1985 until 2001 we had always rented our facilities but because of the growth with Kubota, we had no bright hopes for the spring season and after a great winter things were looking good for Kooy Brothers. Well, that March turned out to be the worst month of my life. I rarely give insight into my personal life - but this is so much a part of my daily life now... and the history of Kooy Brothers, that it deserves mentioning. My daughter Lisa worked alongside me. She helped me with my daily schedule, planned our Open Houses 2x a year, made our showroom pricing tags, worked on our brand new website and all the other marketing materials for the business. She was a friend to many customers and family business owner you don’t doubt yourself. You make tough decisions every day and you soldier your family and staff through tough times of change. When I came back to work that empty desk next to me tortured me. It was pure hell looking through the window and knowing she’d never sit in that seat again. Life was different now and my views changed in several ways. I realized all the more that things are just things...the business’ success was a blessing and I was very thankful... but nothing can compare to the happiness people bring you. I remember back on Gordon MacKay, our first location, my for your understanding during that difficult time and the few years that followed. Healing does not happen overnight rather it’s a long difficult process. It’s about change. I don’t believe things get easier with time like people say. I think you must adapt to change over time and strength and growth come from accepting that change, even when you don’t want to. There were some dark days but I knew if I made it through that worst day of my life that there wasn’t much I couldn’t handle going forward. In 2007 Kooy Brothers lost another influential team player and that was our mom Maria. From grand opening day Mom my family and I the strength we needed to go on and a flourishing business certainly gave us the distraction we needed to keep going. By 2008 Kooy Brothers was so busy and we were short of space once again - I knew this would mean another move. In the spring of 2009 we were able to purchase a 4 acre property right across the road from my long-time friend Tony Speelman who owns Speelmans Garden Centre. This was right after the October 2008 credit crisis. Because the commercial real Kooy Brothers first location brothers I have to think about the first time we installed a snow plow on a truck. Lots of drama, many choice words and eight hours of labour later we had our first plow install complete. As a result of that first install, plows and salters became a very important part of our business. Another key moment in time was when we decided to take on the Kubota product line. It had been ten years without a Kubota dealer in Toronto. We knew nothing about tractors of any brand. I was actually praying that no one would call and ask about one but eventually they did, and we managed our way through it just fine. Open House at the first location choice but to find a larger space. In 2001 we ended up buying a 22,000 sq. ft. factory at 15 Torbarrie, and renovating it to suit our business. We moved in on the May long weekend that year and as a result of more selection, our sales went up by 50%. It was only two years later that we purchased our neighbour next door at 9 Torbarrie. We knocked half the building down and made it parking. Two years had sailed by and business was again causing us to feel tight on space. In the early spring of 2005 we were busy planning our annual Spring Open House party to once again thank all our customers for their continued business. I had 15 Torbarrie when we first bought it the sarcastic voice on the other end of the phone when they’d call. In the blink of an eye she was gone. The Lord took her to be with Him on March 27, 2005. The tragedy of losing my oldest daughter not only halted our spring open house that year.... but the loss tore my heart into pieces. Not only was it Easter morning but it was also my oldest son Will’s birthday. In one single day I lost my motivation. I lost my drive, my spark...I lost my kid, forever. People tell you that life is fragile but no one really gets that until they lose someone they love. Losing Lisa tore a huge hole into my life plan. As a parent you never expect your child to leave this earth before you. As a 15 Torbarrie after the renovation little girl would come to work with me from a young age and help on Saturdays filing papers, stuffing envelope mailers and sweeping the shop. She would be there at every Open House to give away prizes, hand out t-shirts and hats and pick names from the draw box. So many memories all crammed and blurred. I felt overwhelmed on the day of Lisa’s funeral by all of you. The funeral home said they’d never seen so many flower arrangements in all their years and the line-up at Lisa’s wake was out the door the entire afternoon and into the evening. The outpouring of gracious well wishes from our customers both long-time friends and new acquaintances was truly heartwarming. I am so grateful Construction on new building came to clean the shop and showroom and we always joked that people would pull off hwy 400 to see our clean showroom floors and comb their hair in our equipment. Mom made the place sparkle. She was in my opinion the closest thing to an angel on earth. Mom never complained and always had a gentle, fun loving demeanor. Raising 9 kids and being a part of all her grandchildren’s lives made her the happiest. She left a huge empty space when her life got cut short and we miss her dearly. So much had happened in our family business in those 2 years but God gave Current location 1919 Wilson Ave estate market was at a complete standstill, we had five different design build firms clamouring to build us a building. By December 2009 we signed a deal with Maple Reindeers who came up with the best design at the right price. So right in the middle of the world coming to an end we were able to design and build one of the nicest buildings found in our industry. Fast forward five years and here we are at our 30th official year in business! Our 30th year was very eventful although trying at times. On October 9, 2015 I was fortunate enough to complete a share purchase from my two brothers. These transactions are never easy, especially in 2 3