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1 1 is-WATERLoo CHRONICLE‘Wednesdoy. lanwy 19. 2011 . â€"â€"â€"â€"-â€"â€"â€"-â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€" l t F . tr (1 ' . arr a 9 tr w ' h w as l k' trad w k ~ En epreneurs create ebsrte to s 0 c e loca s tlled e or ers 1 [iv CHARLOTTE Poona Pmtu tough to get meetings You might ‘ Chronicle Sufi _ get them on the phone, and you ‘ I only have a few minutes to make ‘ en Rob Kanning‘s your pitch." Kenning said. \ father-in-law wanted to But selling the idea is only the renovate his basement. first step. As skilled trades workers Kanning hit the Internet to start themselves, they require that each ‘ looking for local. reputable trades listing on the directory measure up 1 people and contractors. to a certain standard. ‘ He thought it would be an easy . The connectors must have the task. proper certification or licensing for “l was looking for a directory of their industry. and they must carry 1 skilled trades. and there wasn’t insurance. . . one.” he said. They also require references ‘ A year later. Kanning and his “Reputation is everything.' childhood friend Rob Smidt have Smut said. “The website is only 1 created just that. ' ’ goingto be as good to the commu- ; Their website Skills Link offers t ~ L1“. ; nityos all of us are.” 1 43 categories of skilled workers for _“""""" _, _ In fact, the very first listings on 1 I home renovation services â€" ' 3 : fibfllflfly . their directory came as recom- 1 everything from appliances and {A El. Utah!“ . I mendations from local real estate ; I -- awnings to water and windows. («gaudy ,3 agents. 1 | There are plumbers. electricians. t Haggai! “Even though it’s a website, it’s 1 1 carpenters, roofers, brick layers, ' figuggfl still based on word of mouth." 1 painters. home stagers and clean- a guag‘fifl Smidtsach 1 ing services. '» ’ ' _, a. The pair hope to continue to y “The big thing is that we‘re expand their business, while oon- ‘ local," Kanning said. tinuing to make it easy for both the 1 The Skills Link directory cuts client who advertises with them, 1 down on search time by focusing and the user looking for services 1 on trades people who work in and ‘ on the directory. 1 around Waterloo Re ion. , , , . , . . . Clients can u ate their rofile 1 "And ".5 not it]: a directory.” Rob Smudt and Rob Kanmng started a webstte to fill a mid in the home renovation and homfmndustrywzom themselves, or ginning andpSmidt Smidt said. “They can really show- will do it for them. And users will , case their business." aren’t sure how to go about it. ated more titan 70.000 pageviews. no leased cars, no full-time find the pages easy to read and There's a profile for each com< “You have to stay with the "If the website-has content you employees printer friendly. pany listed in the directory. includ- times.” Kanning said. “Keep up. get traffic. and if you have traffic The two men first met as ele- The website also includes links . ing references, photos. a contact with market trends and technolo- you make money,” Kanning said. mentary school students at Water- and information about govern- form and a link to the company's gies or it will leave you behind.” As an aggregator for skilled loo’s Centennial Public School. ment rebate programs. building existing website â€" if they have Listing on the Skills Link direc- trades. it's an efficient and costâ€" They both went on to become tool permits and whotocall before you one. . tory is like having a website within effective way to advertise. Clients and die makers at A13. and they’re dig. 1 Smidt and Kanning said many a website. Contractors no longer are telling them they're already stilldoingthatfulltlme. 'A new homeowner should be of the trades people they've con- need to worry about driving traffic getting four or five calls aday from In addition. Kenning has five able to walk into their home. and tacted to list with Skills Link are to their site, or where their page users who saw their listing on Skills boys at home. and Smidthas two with just their BlackBerry in hand. " too busy to manage their own will come up on a Google search. Link. young children. As they build their hire everyone they’ll need.” Kan- website. Smidt and Kanning will do it for “One person advertising alone business. they’re putting in plenty ningsaid. Contractors that aren't very tech them. is almost useless.” Srnidt said. of 18-hour days. To access the directory, or for savvy are starting to realize they Skills Link went online in They keep costs law by having "Part ofthe struwe is. contrac- more information about advertis- need exposure on the intemet, but November and has already gener- almost no overhead â€"â€" no office, tors that are good are so busy it's inggotowwuskillxlinkca. ‘ OPEN HOUSE . ' DI “ 'J ‘ '1 J '1 ‘ J ”J .2 9/ 2/ 111111 The K-W Montessori §Ch001 Inc 5 R ”firslf““*““1 m 61sec 197') ' ' \ . REGISTR ATlON CHALLENCINC your) (11111.1) r012 LIFE 8 ”I m 1 i , Wm “21:24 ' . Hoff DaylAM.&P.II.)Pro-ochool programs â€": I ‘ : M. -m g ‘ F'I-v 19”}? OFullDay JKltSK-SDoyePorWook ' ‘33s» lmeivemaddifimni‘toon.\ 9:00 31;:JU 11m. owe” .nd Aft" “[300] cm % ".1 ' "‘ 140i | mysingleitcmovet 0. l . :\ ':‘ g 3 mm ' Mommies. I - FEE-SCHOOL & ELEMENTARY 8 Ti h 7 .71 | a J." mm“ $ ‘ _ in . . Register 2V2 - 5 Yea" Grades 1 - 6 “m" ' “m" Re-Fridgee-Etghten twat 10 1 \ % New . 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