Sun Weekend with Anita Haigh

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/08/2013 (4640 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

So what did you do before the blind thing?

I’ve done many things and worn many hats. And it all led to where I am today. One of the things that I really did a lot of was waitressing.

Right! Many people will know you from the Jerry’s Bistro days!

Exactly. And I used to work for Kokonas as well. And I also worked at a hair salon as salon coordinator, so I got to greet the people and do the displays, so there was that kind of creative aspect to it in a different format. I always thoroughly enjoyed working with the public so any of my jobs has always entailed that. And I also worked with Barb Webber at Shades Above prior to opening up on my own.

And what made you want to go out on your own?

Well, I never thought that I would want to run my own business, but having made the plunge and deciding — and that was largely due to my husband Glen saying, ‘Anita, you could do your own business in a heartbeat.’ And when I knew that he was on board, then I said, ‘Yeah — let’s go for it.’ And it was, without question, the best thing I ever did.

So what was it? Freedom? Flexibility? Control? What?

It’s just my baby. And I don’t know how to say it, but it doesn’t feel like a job. Even though we’ve put a lot of hours in, it really doesn’t feel like a job. I get to earn a living going into people’s homes, meeting all types of different people and getting to know them first, and in turn, doing services for them. But they’re more than just clients. They’re friends. I mean, we get to know them and their family members. And it really makes me happy, doing what I do.

Glen is the installer and he also does all the paperwork, the banking — all the things that I can’t stand to do, Glen does. So Blinds by Anita wouldn’t be Blinds by Anita without Glen. He’s a wonderful guy to have around.

What did he do before you began working together?

He worked for TD Bank as a personal bank manager for 26 years. Then when this opportunity came up, and our business was able to sustain both of us, he said, ‘It’s time to move on from there.’ So now he’s doing this, and he loves it.

That’s a major life change!

Oh, it is. It’s huge. Glen retired from the TD when he was 47.

I’ve always wondered about spouses who work together. I love my husband dearly, but I think it would drive me out of my mind if we did that.

Well, I’ll tell you. I’m used to having my independence in other jobs that I’ve worked, and then also Glen was working full-time as well, so I would only see him in the evenings. But when you’re underfoot, so to speak, all the time, what I find is you have to have a balance and you still have to have your own ‘me’ time. So I tend to go out for lunch a lot with my girlfriends, and I take my clients out for lunch a lot. And I go to the BU Healthy Living Centre — I’ll do that. And Glen has his stuff. And he doesn’t begrudge me my time and I don’t begrudge him his. And with us, I’m usually out of the house on appointments and Glen might be home. And then he’s installing and I might be home. But it is an adjustment. And I do think you have to do a little shifting and find out what works. For me, going out and getting away from the house works, and it’s not like I have any issues with Glen. I just don’t need to be around him all the time.

Well said! So that’s the business stuff out of the way. But one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you is what you’ve already mentioned. You love people. Tell me why.

I just can’t say enough good things about people. And from every walk of life — even I could go into a store, and if the clerk is friendly and outgoing, I’ll strike up a conversation. I just really get a charge out of meeting people. And I am truly a people person. I wouldn’t do well cooped up in a corner in a job — like, that’s just not me.

Even meeting this girl in a florist shop in Winnipeg one day — I walked in and I needed a floral arrangement quickly for my dad and his wife. And this young girl in Safeway was so fantastic, and she was filling in. But she was so eager to please — I’d taken a photograph and we collaborated and made this arrangement and I took a photograph of her and then her boss came along at that time. And I said to her boss, ‘You better hang on to this girl because she’s absolutely fantastic!’ Because we hear all the negative but we never hear the positive.

Good for you! I try to do the same thing, too. Because exactly many folks seem so keen to complain. And people are so THRILLED when you give them a compliment.

Yeah! And you know what? It just makes their day. And I think if more people did that, we’d all be in a better place.

Have you always been this way, do you think? Upbeat and positive? You mentioned when I came in that you’ve always been a ‘glass half full’ kind of girl.

Yup. And I think a lot of that comes from my childhood. Growing up, my mom always tried to look at the positive, and I think I’ve taken on those traits as well. It’s a very good way to live your life. And it’s a good way to run your business and it’s a good way to do just about anything. If you can always think that there are people worse off than you, then your bad days don’t seem so bad. So it’s just how I’ve always been.

I’m not trying to make you into an amateur psychologist here, but do you think people can work to develop that attitude? Those folks who have it SEE the positives in things, but I don’t think it’s a conscious choice.

It’s so natural. But I do think that people could try to make a conscious effort in their everyday lives — how they react to things. If that’s not your way, it’s not something that’s going to come naturally at first, obviously. But if they try to make an effort, even a little bit in certain aspects of their lives, it’s always going to be a positive, right? And maybe by seeing how they feel, by doing something good for people or treating someone kindly, then maybe that, in turn, will make them feel better about themselves. And then THAT, in turn, just feeds off of itself.

We all know that bad things can and do happen to good people. But personally, I believe that negativity begets negativity and positivity, the same thing. If you’re enthusiastic and respectful, often good things will come your way. Whereas if you’re grumpy and critical and negative, you can expect the same in return.

It is unfortunate when people tend to focus on negativity. It’s so much better if you can try and focus on the positive stuff. We all deal with negativity and bad things in our lives. But we can control how we react to it. And that’s the key. Then you don’t give the situation that much power, because you can choose.

Is there anything you can recall that’s made you just furious? Is there a specific incident or anything in general? Because people talk about your bubbly personality which is why, I think, you’ve been as successful as you have. What sets you off?

I think what would set me off is people not being themselves. If you’re going into someone’s home, being yourself is probably the best asset you will ever have in any transaction. Trying to be something you’re not, I don’t think is a positive thing in any way.

So fakery, then, is what bugs you?

Yeah. I like real people. I like ‘what you see is what you get.’ And I try to surround myself with people that are that way as well.

What are some of your favourite things? Do you like to travel? I know, like me, you’re a jewellery fanatic…!

My favourite things are anything to do with decorating. And I really get a kick out of fashion, clothing, hairstyles — I’m totally a girly-girl. In all aspects. Even gardening and yardwork and all that — it’s all creative. So I enjoy anything like that.

And I love travel. I mean, that’s a big reason why I work. I really thoroughly enjoy seeing other places, and it’s almost, ‘OK — where are we going to go next?’ Now that we just had family come from Ireland, I said to Glen, ‘The boys (sons Grant and Scott) and you and I we’ve got to make a trip.’

Have you gone back to Ireland since you left?

Glen and I were there for our honeymoon.

That’s cool! And another thing: You laugh easily and a lot, right?

Yup. (laughs)

So life is a happy place for you to be, then.

It is. It’s a happy place. I’m very blessed. I’ve got a great family and we’ve got our health, thank god. And those are key factors, of course, because without them, nothing else matters. And I’m able to work in a line of work that I love, and spend time with my family, and travel. What more could you ask for?