Single mother takes the wheel of own business
Cab service rakes in the dough in Taloyoak
Karen K. Ho
Northern News Services
Monday, December 7, 2015
TALOYOAK/SPENCE BAY
It took four years but Karen Nanook was finally able to start her taxi business this fall.
And business is picking up.
"On busy days I make more than $460," she said.
Nanook started her business for a simple reason, Taloyoak had a real need and she wanted to provide for her family.
"There was no service in town," she said. "There was one for a little while but there wasn't enough business and they had to stop."
Last year, the single mother of two hired a business consultant from Yellowknife to prepare the business plan required by the Government of Nunavut for her funding application.
After years of persistence and more research from her consultant, Nanook received between $40,000 to $60,000 to purchase her 2015 Ford Explorer and pay for the more than $9,000 in insurance costs.
The sport utility vehicle was shipped in by sealift from the Kingland Ford dealership in Hay River, NWT. The company is changing its name to Aurora Ford.
Before her first day of business on Sept. 24, Nanook said she test-drove the SUV to get used to the road. She was still nervous.
"I got the business started and I'm my own boss and the manager of it and I was happy and nervous," she said. "I had mixed feelings."
Nanook said she didn't know much about cars before starting her business, so staff at the dealership helped her pick out the vehicle, which they said was very fuel-efficient. She estimated she spends about $60 a week on gas which she said isn't bad.
Business during the first few weeks was pretty slow with not many calls.
"Maybe two to three calls a day," she said. "I wasn't making much profit, only paying bills like gas."
After putting out advertising, now business has picked up and Nanook said she is very busy.
"The smallest I make per day is $200 but on a busy day it's over $460," she said.
Average trips inside town are $7 and to the airport are $10.
Nanook's working hours vary after she consulted with the hamlet's senior administrative officer. She often starts her days around 8:30 a.m. when the government workers start their days.
Being self-sufficient, giving herself a way to provide for her family and providing a much-needed service to her community are all reasons why Nanook is glad she persevered after so many years of rejection.
"Being a single mom is really hard," she said. "My children, they used to go hungry."
It wasn't easy. Nanook experienced put-downs and discouragement each year she applied for her business at the offices in Kugluktuk.
"They would seem to get upset at me applying every year," she said, "I don't know why but I kept trying every year."
There was also a violent incident when someone threw large rocks at Nanook's new car, smashing the windshield.
"Somebody got angry just after I got my vehicle," she said. "Saying I'm all that because I have my own business I'm bigger than him and he's smaller than me. I'm a high and mighty. But that didn't stop me from doing my business. I like it."
Nanook estimated more than 1,000 people live in the hamlet and so far, customers have been positive toward her.
"I enjoy driving the taxi and serving the customers," she said. "They encourage me to keep going."
Rising demand is already starting to make things difficult. Nanook said on busy days she misses around 10 calls.
"I feel really bad," she said. "When business makes more profit, I would love to look at getting another vehicle for better service."
Nanook attributes her current success to the support of her parents.
"I couldn't do it without them," she said.
Ultimately, Nanook just wants to give her 15-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter a better life through her business.
"Now I can provide for them."
