Fun Facts about MIKE!

So, it is slightly intimidating to write a Blog about your boss, but luckily for me I do have more of an inside scoop than your average employee. He is Mike here at work (my mother still finds it odd to hear me say that out loud) but during time off he is “Dad” or more commonly these days “Papa”.

Our “Head Cheese” is our In-Ground pool guru. Mike makes it his job to remember his customers every detail. Most likely if he helped you create your dream backyard, he knows the size and shape of your pool, as well as where you live and the color of your house (he tends to not forget facts such as these).

For those of you who have read his three decades of HHL Blogs, you know how he has grown Holland Home Leisure from the ground up. He is known for putting customer satisfaction and product quality at the top of his priorities, and because of that he is well respected in the industry among his peers. We can all see why!

Some of Mike’s quirks (those of which I can share with the world): His glasses come on and off of his face approximately 623 times a day (give or take a few), they are usually being bent into abnormal shapes and flung around in a carefree way (more so when deep in thought). He is extremely sarcastic and the majority of the money in the sarcasm jar comes from him! He now has the satisfaction of giving to charity, which I believe encourages his sarcastic comments.

Mike’s top sayings that you won’t go a day without hearing at HHL are as follows: “Excellent” (usually for a job well done, but also can be a purely sarcastic remark), “the reality of it is” (this is “serious” Mike talking) and “well there you go” (that is one of our favorites).

“Well, I have known Mike for close to 18 years now and I must say, he hasn’t changed a bit.  Mike has always been a pleasure to deal with from a business perspective and over time we have become good friends as well. Mike is the kind of guy that if you ever needed anything, he would be there for you which is just one of the many attributes I admire him for.” Mike Godfrey, BioLab Canada

Godfrey also adds at the bottom of his email “Now by saying all this nice stuff about Mike, do I get a bottle of wine from the ‘special section’ in the vandenHof wine cellar?”

Mike is easily distracted with conversations revolving around food and wine, and if you were to ask him which restaurant you should go to while staying in the city you are guaranteed a 30 minute break from work! (Why is it in the valley people refer to the city like it’s the only one? I mean Halifax for you out-of-towners)! We love his enthusiasm and easy going attitude, his ability to crack a joke or tell a good story, but above all his constant drive in the work place. Mike has learned to embrace change and that is one of the qualities I personally admire, and he is well aware of what is necessary to guide his staff and ensure quality customer service.

We appreciate his hard work and providing us with a wonderful working environment! Thanks Mike "Dad" vandenHof

-Talk soon,

Liana vandenHof-Rhodenizer