Local couple getting national attention

by Karina Hunter

Denis Narbonne and Amy Gionet in the lumber yard of their Home Business Centre.

Pictured are Amy Gionet and Denis Narbonne during their shoot for Enterprise Magazine, a western publication named Western Canada’s Best Trade Magazine for six consecutive years which is featuring the couple in an upcoming editorial.  The story tells of the challenges and successes the couple has dealt with through their purchase of the Home Hardware and its conversion to a Home Building Centre, and of the assistance they received from The Northern Credit Union in Sault Ste. Marie. 

Narbonne and Gionet are each quoted several times throughout the article in regards to their love of Manitouwadge, the final quote from Narbonne, “If you like the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting, it’s a good place to be…I sure hope to retire here one day” will certainly garner the attention of those reading; particularly credit union CEOs, senior executives, managers and directors to whom the magazine is targeted but also without a doubt to business owners who also represent a significant percentage of Enterprise Magazine’s readership. 

The type of advertising which articles, featuring residents or local businesses, such as this one offer our community cannot be bought – people feel they are more believable than traditional ads as the praise is coming from residents as a part of story which does not focus primarily on the community. In other words, rather than being direct, the ‘come to Manitouwadge’ message is more subtle and therefore more readily accepted and remembered by readers. 

Whatever your hobbies, area of expertise or passion, there is bound to be a magazine, read by like-minded people, which would be interested in your story. Next time you are flipping through the pages of your favourite publication, ask yourself if you could be featured in its pages.  Even if you are not a writer or photographer, you can submit your opinions as a ‘letter to the editor’ or contact local journalist or writer for advice on how to proceed.  It can be easy to look to the EDC for solutions to increasing tourism in our community and though, in spite of limited funds, they continue to work diligently promoting Manitouwadge (and have done so quite successfully –new visitors and residents continue arriving), there ways that each of us can do our part to welcome the world into our township. Thanks to Denis and Amy for doing their part in encouraging people to visit, to read their story in the January 2010 issue of Enterprise Magazine which is due to be published soon, visit www.enterprisemag.com.

Submitted to The Echo, 01.22.10