Mavis Elias Adjun and her spouse Colin have not only learned to take over a business, theySA国际影视传媒檙e expanding on it.
photo courtesy of Larry Adjun
Mavis worked for Webb Outfitting for years, but the late owner, Fred Webb, was eventually ready to retire. He sold the company to Mavis and Colin in 2015.
SA国际影视传媒淲e never ran a business in anything before,SA国际影视传媒� Mavis said, adding that she had picked up plenty of insight from Fred. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檇 seen how he ran it for many years.SA国际影视传媒�
Colin, who had a career as a conservation officer, left his government job and acted as a guide for Webb, so Colin too had some familiarity with the enterprise.
SA国际影视传媒淲e just fell right into it,SA国际影视传媒� Mavis said.
They changed the name to Adjun Adventures Outfitting. Their sons helped them by taking hunters SA国际影视传媒� mostly Americans SA国际影视传媒� out in pursuit of muskoxen and grizzly bears. The Adjuns employ eight guides in total.
Business was admittedly SA国际影视传媒渁 little bit slow at firstSA国际影视传媒� but it gradually picked up and now the Adjuns are booking clients as long as three years in advance, according to Mavis.
With a stable foundation, she has decided to branch out into eco-tourism, which will essentially make the venture operational year-round rather than just a four-month hunting season.
She plans to guide visitors by boat and snowmobile, depending on the time of year, to show them SA国际影视传媒渙ur beautiful land and culture.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淭he Coronation Gulf here is full of islands and places that you could show the tourists. The fishing is to die for, char fishingSA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚n the winter weSA国际影视传媒檇 take them to places where people have gathered and hunted before SA国际影视传媒� maybe stop and build an iglu under the Northern lights. We have our traditional foods that we share with them. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 always a hit.SA国际影视传媒�
Mavis is hopeful that the eco-tourism side of the business will be in effect within a year. Getting support from the community first will be essential, she said.
SA国际影视传媒淭hat will be a big one,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
In the planning process, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 getting a hand from her sister in Edmonton, whoSA国际影视传媒檚 a bookkeeper, and from EntrepreNorth, a project under Tides Canada that aids Indigenous businesses. Tides Canada is a charity SA国际影视传媒渄edicated to a healthy environment, social equity, and economic prosperity.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淚t did open my eyes to see more of hands-on marketing, some business planning,SA国际影视传媒� Mavis said of EntrepreNorth. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 lots of areas to cover in tourism.SA国际影视传媒�
As well, the Canadian Executive Service Organization is providing her with a mentor.
SA国际影视传媒淚t will help with setting up the business,SA国际影视传媒� she said, adding that her family is excited at the prospect of growth.
