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Controlled growth

Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Kugluktuk (Jun 18/01) - Slow and steady wins the race are words of wisdom adopted by Grant Newman of Kikiak Contracting in Kugluktuk.

After opening the general contracting and property maintenance business two years ago, the 29-year-old said he's learned one extremely valuable lesson.

"Don't take on more than you can handle," said Newman.

"It ends up hurting your reputation because you fall behind on deadlines and make promises to people you haven't been able to keep," he explained.

"That looks bad on you."

One of Nunavut's only journeyed carpenters, Newman got his start in the business with Fred H. Ross and Associates. When that business sold and became Kitnuna Corp., the owner suggested it was time for Newman to leave the nest.

"He thought it was a good idea that I branch out on my own."

Newman said he was scared at first and the amount of stress was considerable, but the payoff was worth it. He now maintains 50 government units in Kugluktuk -- 42 residential and eight commercial -- and also acts as Kugluktuk's staff-housing agent for the government. Newman said he dabbled in snow removal and general construction and renovations.

His assets are valued at about $300,000, he employees up to six full-time workers and he gets to take the occasional morning off.

"If I want to sleep in, I can wake up and look in the mirror and say I'm not going to work until later," said Newman.

"That only happens once in a blue moon. I thought I'd have more time to do what I wanted being my own boss, but you put in twice as many hours," he said.

Newman first moved North in 1980 and has lived in Kugluktuk for the last four years.