Jimmy Pountney and Luci Verdile: Partners at home and work

Jimmy Pountney and Luci Verdile are life partners and business owners in downtown Bolton.

Pountney is owner of Innovations the Salon and Verdile is owner of Creative F-X.

They met with us recently to chat about what it takes for a business owner to stay committed and about being long-time residents of Bolton.

How did you start your business?

Luci: I was a client of Jims (he was my hairdresser at the time), and I was also going to an aesthetics school in those days. I confidently proposed that we could work together when I was done with my courses. Jimmy asked me to call him when I was done, and I did. That is how the business started. Jimmy and I opened our first location in the Courtyards in the Bolton core about 20 years ago.

Jimmy: I always wanted to open my own business. As a teen in Streetsville, I was working at a pet store and the same owner also owned a hair salon. He would often leave me in charge of the place and would come in at closing time. That was the time period during which I learnt how to run a business with a sense of responsibility. Cutting hair is one thing and operating a business is a completely different thing. You may have a certain skill set for a trade and not have the same acumen for running a business. I also learned to work as a hairdresser at his salon and gained skills during my time there. I felt confident doing my own thing.  

Luci, instead of studying fashion and the arts at Humber College, you returned to high school for an extra year and a co-op program. Tell us about that.

Through my co-op program, I got a placement at The Glamour Shop in Bramalea City Center and I realized that I loved doing hair and makeup and wanted to continue doing that. Later, I got into the aesthetics school to learn more about the business aspect instead of just the makeup component.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own business?

Luci: I would say take advantage of apprenticeships, work for different people, build a clientele and gain experience. It’s hard in the beginning but our clients shared our services and location information. It takes time to build the financial security, but perseverance and determination is necessary. Be patient, it takes time. There are moments when you think you should just give up and move on but if you persevere then it will work out.

Jimmy: If you are in a trade environment, as an apprentice, don’t stay at one place. Absorb as much as you can absorb from one place and move on. Whether it’s plumbing, electrical, hair, no matter what kind of trade you are in, find a place to work that the owner is present. Why? Because an owner is going to care about their business, care about the name they have established, they have a sense of pride and that will be translated into their teachings and training as well. You also get to learn about the business aspect while learning the trade.

What are the benefits of owning your own business?

Luci: You get to put your personal touch in everything. Having your own business also gives you the creative liberty. For example, although I have been trained, I chose not to do skin care so that allowed me to focus on what I really wanted to do. And most importantly, now that we have a family, having my own business allows me to do certain things freely:  I can be a parent and give time to our daughter.

What does it take to achieve long term business?

When you have your own business, you have a lot of responsibility. Even if you’re opening the store for just four hours, show up and open on time. One person comes, they try to open the door and it’s locked? They have options and they will go somewhere else. I strongly believe in the importance of showing up on time and to open your doors for business with dedication. You have to motivate yourself especially when you are working on your own. The learning never stops.

Share a fun fact about your business?

Luci: Oh, something happens every day because every day is different! And since you are working with people, the laughs and the tears vary depending on who’s coming in and what story they are bringing. You know how they say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? So, what happens in Bolton stays in Bolton [laughs].

Jimmy: Yes… the clients have become our friends; we developed friendships with them along the way as well as a loyalty factor.

What is it like working with each other?

Luci: We don’t really see each other during the day. We hardly communicate with each other besides asking each other’s schedule or answering messages. There’s no time for personal interaction or a chat. We haven’t found any difficulty in working with each other.

Jimmy: Chemistry is everything. You can work with anyone but if you don’t share positive vibes with the person then it is very difficult to make it work. We ironed out the creases during the first year. Working with each other is easy and relationship wise it is easier because we have known each other for such a long time.

Why Bolton…

Luci: I moved to Bolton in 1984 and I have watched it grow to what it is today. There has been so much growth and development. Our community is this community.

Jimmy: Caledon is unique because it is a merger of country and urban life. It’s important for my business to have that variance. Working and living in the same environment is fantastic. I have worked in other areas too, but my heart is in Bolton that’s why I came back and stayed. Bolton has a personality, there’s a sense of community, and my roots are here, in Bolton.

Creative F-X and Innovations Salon is located at 11 Queen St. north, Bolton. (905) 857-1847