The following 'success story' was submitted to OrilliaMatters by the Orillia Area Community Development Corporation.
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Have you been dreaming of your perfect lakefront retreat, a vision of perfectly reflective waters, and rocky shores?
Now you just need the perfect dock so you can go explore that perfect picture, and that’s where On the Water Designs saw an opportunity.
On the Water Designs started 18 years ago with a vision to provide solution-based construction to their customers. What they ended up with was one of the most diverse product lines in the industry and a family business that would stand the test of time.
The company builds custom, aluminum framed docks in pole, floating and tower configurations at their facility near Orillia.
A family business since its inception has recently made the transition to a second-generation family business.
Brandon Jewitt joined the team 10 years ago as part of a succession plan. He wanted to carry his parents’ vision forward with a keen interest in growth.
“When I came aboard, I knew that with more people involved in our business, we would all have more opportunities,” he said.
But one of the challenges Brandon faced was staffing. “Finding people to grow our business – the way we envision it to grow – was difficult.”
To tackle this and other challenges, Brandon and his family have been working with the Orillia Area Community Development Corp. (CDC) for many years.
“Learning what the resources are is very important. Sometimes you think it’s just easier to put your head down and do it yourself, but too much weight is on your shoulders," he said.
On the Water Designs received funding for expansion and the business transition to the next generation from the CDC in January 2018. Now with a team of 20, Brandon has realized the growth he had envisioned for his family business.
“For us, the advice the CDC offered over the years has been just as valuable as the financial support,” says Brandon. “They gave me the confidence and security to become a leader in our marketplace.”
For more information on the Orillia Area Community Development Corp. (CDC), please contact [email protected] or visit www.orilliacdc.com
