TEN Magazine

2 W hen Shannon and Uli Scheurer came to a crossroads in 2009, they chose a new direction, moving from farming into the trucking business as founders of Upper Deck Transport Inc. At the time, they wanted to set up a steady source of income to provide a livelihood for themselves and their three children. But the business didn't work out exactly as planned — today, it not only supports the Scheurer family; it provides a livelihood for other families, too. "Somehow we managed to build a multi- million-dollar company over the years," Shannon says. "If you would have asked me back in 2009, 'What is this going to look like for you in 10 years?' never in my life would I have expected to have 22 employees." Moving into the trucking industry wasn't a complete U-turn. The Scheurers bought their first truck in 1993 to provide employment for Shannon's father, Ernie Doerksen. Ten years later, they added two more trucks and, in 2009, they brought three owner- operators onboard. At first, Uli handled maintenance that didn't have to be outsourced. A few trucks were parked in their yard, and Shannon had a makeshift home office. "I did all my accounting at my kitchen table. I was a stay-at-home mom so it was a big learning curve," she says. Today, they have a home base for 18 trucks, complete with a fully equipped maintenance shop and full-time mechanic, on Hwy 75 at Ste. Agathe. The company moves freight throughout Canada and the U.S., with a professional team to handle dispatching, brokerage, customs documents and all the complex logistics that come with transporting a variety of goods for multiple clients, safely and on time. One thing the Scheurers learned early on was that they had underestimated the amount of capital they'd need to get a solid foothold in the business. Fortunately, they connected with BDC and account managers who have been "super accommodating" as the business grew. "It was BDC that allowed us to get to where we are," Shannon says. When they built a shop and bought the land in Ste. Agathe, they were able to use the new business assets rather than personal property as collateral, and they were able to take advantage of a plan that allowed them to make interest-only payments for one year. Along with a thriving business, the Scheurers have built a great reputation with clients and employees alike. And they're committed to serving both well. "Over the years, we've found some incredible staff," Shannon says. "Our staff are very important to us." While they've had the opportunity to sell the business, they instead chose to focus on ensuring the company and their employees have a bright future. Shannon expects to pass the reins to one of their children in about five years, leaving a legacy after she and Uli retire. "We're being very proactive in setting this business up for success when we leave." ❚ Find more entrepreneur success stories at bdc.ca. Keep on Trucking BDC HELPED PAVE ROAD TO SUCCESS FOR FAMILY BUSINESS Upper Deck Transport Inc. founders Shannon and Uli Scheurer. Photo by Darcy Finley UPPER DECK TRANSPORT INC. "If you would have asked me back in 2009, 'What is this going to look like for you in 10 years?' never in my life would I have expected to have 22 employees."

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