Parade of Homes featuring the best of new homes in Manitoba, Canada
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/161409
>> When Calgary was hit by a massive flood in June, some evacuated families found refuge in unique emergency shelters — Qualico show homes. The company opened its doors and put out the welcome mat because, well, that's what it does. Women in Construction Ruth Hastings President and CEO Qualico Homes 'The family dream is to have your own home. It is what guides our business, and it's why we offer a wide variety of options.' Providing shelter for families is at the very foundation of Qualico. It was the vision that guided founders David and Katherine Friesen when they built their first houses in River Heights in 1950. It is still at the heart of the company that is now run by their daughter, Ruth Hastings, the company's president and CEO. From starter homes to luxury housing for the upwardly mobile and flexible home styles for downsizing retirees, Qualico has families covered from cradle to condo. While the company has grown by leaps and bounds since 1950, Hastings is committed to keeping faith with her parents' vision. "The family dream is to have your own home," she says. "It is what guides our business, and it's why we offer a wide variety of options." Before founding their company as Quality Homes, Katherine was earning $50 a month as a teacher, and David was a divorce lawyer who took a casual approach to bill-collecting, sometimes bringing home chicken or pies in lieu of cash. But the couple had more than enough gumption to go around. They built seven houses in 1950, and almost doubled their output to 13 houses the next year. Hastings says her late father — who was born in Ukraine in 1911 and immigrated to Winnipeg with his family in 1924 — used to go down to the railway station and hire immigrants fresh off the train. Katherine, who turned 95 this August, decided to sell the houses herself, which was an audacious move for a woman in the 1950s. "She was a pretty modern woman. Of all her friends, she was the first to have her driver's licence," Hastings says. Katherine was also a pioneer in the art of home staging, furnishing show homes with an eye to making them memorable. When she put a round bed in the master bedroom of a show home in the 1970s, it wasn't just memorable; it was the talk of the town. Hastings credits her parents' legacy and their mentorship for her own success in the industry. Growing up, the business was an ever-present part of family life. Conversation at dinner often centered on the company and the building industry. Hastings began her own career as a teenager, working part time as a receptionist during the summer months. Cont'd on page 18 Parade of Homes Fall 2013 17