Meet Chris Manzer (left), a born entrepreneur who, along with his brother Jeff (right), began their journey mowing lawns in Pleasantville as kids. Fast forward to today, and they are working together in Manzer Brothers Excavating and Landworks Ltd. But the story isn't just about business; it's about family, working together and seizing the opportunities in Lunenburg County.

After 17 years in the corporate world, Chris took a leap of faith in 2022 to pursue his
dream of running his own business. Chris borrowed an excavator and completed his first job. Then, his own machine arrived and the “digging business” was underway.
Recognizing his passion for hands-on work, Chris handed over administrative duties to his sister, Jana (Saunders). Despite lacking experience, Jana embraced the challenge. She too wanted to be part of the business! Jana received guidance from their accountant John Swain who offered a training program targeted at small business owners. She spent a year learning the accounting role needed for the business. Now, she is a partner in the business and provides the financial information, scheduling support and customer relations.

The business is growing. In March Jeff left his corporate job to join Chris working
fulltime in the business. Jeff is a carpenter by trade and hopes over time to use those
skills within their work plans. Together, the siblings complement each other's skills and both share a passion for hard work. Family was a recurring theme in the discussion. The three siblings are very happy and excited about working together and are not afraid to table all concerns with each other. But, they have a formal partnership agreement to deal with all issues that may arise between them. They have a strong support system, both within the family and within the community. They've leveraged their community connections, sought advice, and invested in professional guidance to help them make good decisions.

​Their marketing strategy? Simple yet effective—word of mouth and Facebook. But what truly sets them apart is their commitment to customer satisfaction. Jana ensures every client receives personalized attention, while Chris follows up to ensure every customer is happy when the work is complete.

The three siblings echoed the exact same answer in unison to this question. “What do you wish you had known before you started? ‘I should have started this 20 years ago!’” When asked what advice would they give to those starting a business: Believe in yourself, set goals, and do what makes you happy—even if it means taking risks.
Chris, Jana, and Jeff are more than just business partners; they're a testament to the power of family, hard work, and determination. Their future as business owners in Lunenburg County is very promising.

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