Who's Who Better Business Bureau

6 BBB MAGAZINE Who's Who Special Edition R Backyard Paradise Sunroom Design founder Roger Beaulieu focuses on improving clients' quality of life. Photos by Darcy Finley oger Beaulieu had one of those career-defining moments soon after getting his start in the home renovation business 36 years ago. "As a young businessman who was still learning how to do all this, I asked myself, 'Why am I doing this and not something else?' " he recalls. "I could have been selling financial services or doing a number of other things … but I chose to do this. I realized early on my purpose was to improve the quality of life for my clients. That's my mission. If I can improve the quality of their life by putting together a nice sunroom or deck or landscaping, something with taste that's going to last, then I've achieved my purpose." More than three decades later, Beaulieu's mission hasn't changed, although his focus has shifted. After nine years as an independent contractor for Headingley-based sunroom system manufacturer SunCo Sunspaces Inc., he launched a new business, Backyard Paradise Sunroom Design, this January. The timing was right. SunCo Sunspaces was withdrawing from the customer services side of the business to concentrate on its manufacturing operation. Now Backyard Paradise is one of a handful of SunCo authorized dealers in Manitoba, specializing in the design and installation of premium quality sunrooms. The company has the ability and experience to build any kind of sunroom, from gabled and studio sun spaces to four-season and freestanding structures. Beaulieu says it was a no-brainer to continue his close relationship with SunCo. He knows from experience that the company is committed to quality and durability. The SunCo Sunspaces system is designed to last a lifetime and requires almost no maintenance. Another plus is the system's flexibility. It can be used to build virtually any size of sunroom. "We can build some really big sunrooms — much bigger than a lot of our competitors can because we use a post and beam assembly. To make the sunroom larger we just add more beams and more posts," he says. Beaulieu personally handles all the design work and employs a crew of four installers, a number he expects to grow along with his business. While growth is important, Beaulieu says growing the right way is essential. That's why obtaining accreditation through the Better Business Bureau was a priority right from the get-go. "I think the BBB accreditation is another level of scrutiny that allows both consumers and vendors to be transparent. There's a third party there that supervises interactions between clients and the business. It's beneficial to both sides of the equation." ❙ To learn more, visit Backyardparadisedesign.com or call 204-294-8845. BACKYARD PARADISE SUNROOM DESIGN On the Sunny Side BUILDING A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE BY JIM TIMLICK

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