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Sunnybrae Golf Club and Anytime Fitness Winners of the 2014 Business of the Year Award take the spotlight Dorie McDonald Belonging to a club means more to members than simply access to its cilities. “It’s like their cottage,” says Dorie McDonald, owner of Sunnybrae Golf Club. “We look to give every guest. a good experience and make them feel welcomed.” They’ve obviously succeeded, as the long- established facility proudly accepted the Scugog Chamber of Commerce 2014 “Award of Excellence” for local businesses over 15 employees. The town’s setting and friendly atmosphere attracted Dorie and her husband to the establishment of both award-winning businesses. “Graham and I drove through Port Perry for aa going to and from our cottage,” Dorie comments. “Tronically, we almost bought Sunnybrae years ago. When it came back on the market in September 2013, we jumped at the chance. There was an energy we liked about it.” One key to success, in assuming an established business, was changing its public perception. “Sunnybrae wasn’t what it had been, so we set about mi ts. Our k did an excellent job on the course, and inside we upgraded the dining room and the bathrooms.” The public’s reaction has been positive and steady. Membership has gradually increased, as has use of the banquet facility. The Chamber of Commerce award, Dorie says, documents publicly just how dramatically things have changed. “And it tells us, as the people running the club, that we're on the right track with what we’re doing.” Naturally, she’s pleased to receive an Award of Excellence from the Chamber of Commerce, and stresses she didn’t win the award alone. “Everybody on staff won this award - it’s not about me. They did it by treating our guests with respect May 2015 issue of Exceptional Business Leaders. Terry McClurgis their shop foreman. Terry McClur: ‘Shop Foreman = RAY HOBBS GARAGE 182 Northport Rd., Units 8 & 9 Port Perry * 905-985-0059 rayhobbsgarage@powergate.ca Sony for any in- convenience this may have caused. 8 FOCUS - JUNE 2015 and kindness, and those feelings reflect back to them. This way ¢ everyone enjoys being at Sunnybrae, staff and gues Almost, you might say, like coming home to a welcoming cottage. ANY Ti Jennifer Docherty NYS Jennifer Docherty, whose Anytime Fitness took home the Award of Excellence in the “Under-15” category, echoed Dorie’s sentiments about the role of customer service in establishing a successful business. “Our staff's professional, and very dedicated to our members,” she says. “We celebrate thar successes as they work toward their fitness goals.” She stresses how community involvement has also contributed to its acceptance. “We've participated in charitable and town events. We've also reached out into the community with a program promoting a healthy lifestyle for parents and kids which ranges beyond team sports and into everyday life.” Preparing to begin a new chapter in their working lives, Jennifer and her husband John targeted Port Perry for what it had, as well as what they felt it didn’t. “We wanted to relocate to Port Perry because it’s a beautiful town,” says Jennifer. “And a full service gym was a service we felt the community would embrace, as well as something we personally felt good about.” Working with Anytime’s parent company, the couple began building their business from the ground up - literally - opening their doors in October 2013. The facility, which occupies 5,000 square feet in the McDonald’s restaurant plaza, offers a blend of traditional and new-style services. “We have free weights and weight machines for individuals, as well as group fitness classes “We also offer ‘functional training,’ resistance and weight classes where the movements mimic everyday life. There’s also bootcamp-style exercise, running and power- walking clubs, massage therapy. And in good weather, we have an outdoor area to work out in the fresh air!” She, too, was delighted by the recent award. “We're thrilled to be recognized for our work,” Jennifer says. “We plan to continue supporting other area businesses with our ‘membership advantage’ discount program, because shopping-local is important. And of course to carry on promoting healthy living!” She graciously shared the spotlight of success. “Our instructors have more than just technical skill. They relate to the members on a personal level.” That simple recipe has proven itself the secret to success. And just like its members, Anytime Fitness has grown strong and healthy on a steady diet of it. By Scott Mercer, Focus on Scugog