Isabelle

So technically today was Isabelle‘s last day here at Mont Sutton… And everyone knows that I wasn’t going to let the day end without saying something here on Facebook for almost everyone to see.

Isabelle called me one day in 2014 and asked me how things were going at Owl’s Head… Without saying much more she hinted that something might be available at Sutton down the road… It wasn’t until later that summer that she called back asking if I’d be interested in a job running the ski shop here… And that’s kind of how it all started.

Allow me to preface this little diatribe by stating that it hasn’t always been a walk in the park for her (her being my first boss in a long long time and all), As a matter of fact, I highly doubt that when she hired me she had any idea that she was getting herself into… inheriting one mess of a guy who had just started to learn to stand up after falling down in the most epic of fashions. But much to her credit, Isabelle hung in there and gave it all she had with all the skills she had at her disposal. It’s no secret that I owe a lot to Isabelle and her tenacious and zealous organized insanity. I doubt anyone else could have taught me how to re-integrate the corporate work force as an employee the way she did.

In the three years that we’ve worked together I’m convinced that she likely aged five because as you can imagine, it hasn’t always been all sunshine and rainbows between her and I… but man has it been fun and exciting, frustrating and crazy… But ultimately an incredible adventure.

Isabelle, the stuff we did together, the amazing shop we put forth and the numbers we drove through those doors are impossible to ignore. You gave me a long leash and supported my desire to build the kind of shop I had dreamed of building with Gords back in Winnipeg… Customers first, nothing but the best gear, excellence at every corner. We could not have done it without you fighting for us with the powers that be and coaching me on how to be a better manager, a better buyer… A better person.

I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for the tough love, for the passionate partnership and especially thank you for trusting me with this incredible ski shop that you created from scratch. Don’t you worry, Zoe and I are going to see your dream through while you go toil in Northern Quebec on your dry waterpark concept (or whatever your next grand project is)… Because we owe it to you.

You girl are a visionary. That’s the best word to describe you. Mont Sutton is going to miss you. The stuff you did here, the things you’ve accomplished in your nine years… Epic stuff. Incredible stuff. The Ski School is In a better place than when you took over, rentals are a standard of industry and the Boutique is among the best anywhere… Your achievements are many and your accolades well deserved. You certainly left your mark on Mont Sutton.

As for me, I’m going to miss you almost as much as this mountain will. My sounding board, my ally, my nemesis and my boss. We are all better for having spent time at your side and I would surely not be on the cusp of standing up again without your nagging, wonderful friendship.

What will I miss most? The laughter, the scheming, our accomplishments and those “ah ha” moments when we had a brilliant idea together.

I can’t wait to see your next project become everything I know you’re capable of. I’m very much looking forward to our continued friendship. You’re a really good person and I certainly hope that I gave you a little bit in return for everything that you’ve given me.

Go get’em Isabelle!
I for one will be rooting for you.