Kevin Halliday thought he was getting the deal of the century when someone offered to sell him a piece of equipment (a dust system) for a dollar. “All I had to do was haul it back to my building,” he recalls.

Some $75,000 later, the dust system, which turned out to be “complete overkill” for his modest operation, was transported, reconditioned and installed.

“That was the most expensive dollar I ever spent,” he chuckles. “And it was way more than I needed, because at the time I only had three or four machines. But I kept to my game plan and soon enough, I needed a dust system that size. That $75,000 was son worth $250,000 for my business.”

Sticking to a game plan, and quickly adding to it as needs arise, is what Halliday does best. In 1999, Halliday formed Spindle, Stairs & Railings, providing beautifully designed and crafted staircases – made to order. As the housing boom continued to drive his business, Halliday anticipated the labour shortage. Instead of relying on outside sources to educate potential staff, the businessman turned principal, and started his own school.

“I went to educational institutions and told them I’d put up the money for training students, but the process to get something up and running was way too long. I said, “Forget it, I’ll do it myself.” I have over 30 crews and 23 of those crews have gone through my school, which I paid for while they were going through it. If I hadn’t done this, I would not be where I am today.”

Where Halliday is today is at the helm of one of Profit magazine’s top 100 fastest growing companies in Canada, and recipient of numerous business and industry awards. Add-ons such as the school and a recently added mill, which actually produces the company’s raw wood, have only fuelled the company’s rapid growth.

Here’s the kicker: he’s never installed a railing, taught a class or manufactured anything in his life. What he has done is held to his vision and hired only the best to help him create a solid, successful and thriving company.

- Susan Pederson