Featured as one of Paul Davis’ “20 Women of 2020”, Joanne Carmichael is the Owner of Paul Davis Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes, ON, Canada.
When did you start working for Paul Davis?
February 2003
What were you doing before that?
I was working as an addiction’s counselor in women’s treatment centers and group homes.
How did you get the job—or what interested you in going for it?
I was living in Alberta at the time. Each summer I would return to Ontario for a few weeks to visit my family. During my summer visits, I would work somewhere. In the summer of 2002, my friend was getting married and I was in her wedding party. My friend was the JCA (Job Cost Accountant) at the Paul Davis Toronto office. I asked her if her boss needed any help during the three weeks I was going to be in town. Her boss said yes, and I ended up working at Paul Davis Canada; answering phones, administration work, etc. Six months later, I was offered a job at Paul Davis Canada as a bookkeeper/office admin. My role at the head office evolved over time.
My last position at Paul Davis Canada was in a training, support, and finance role. This role enabled me to travel to various offices across Canada facilitating the startup activities, training Job Cost Accountants on accounting programs, systems, and processes. I was also actively involved with the development and training of our job cost management system, RMS (Restoration Management System) during the initial years. Eventually, I felt it was time for a change and I wanted to work at an office. After a few years working as the General Manager for the Paul Davis Durham West and East offices, I wanted a change and purchased the Paul Davis Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes franchise. Two years later, I purchased the Paul Davis Belleville and Northumberland franchise.
Give us 2-3 paragraphs of your duties and what a day of doing each one of those would look like.
Just like I’m sure with everyone else in our business, we have a plan for what the day looks like and by the end of the day, the landscape has changed.
Typically, I meet with each of our Project Managers to discuss job status, issues, scheduling, completion, and projects coming up. Reviewing scorecards from our insurance partners to ensure we are following protocols, staying on track with expectations, and monitor our performance. I’m also the financial controller of our office. I actively ensure all job costs are entered, invoicing is completed on time, budgets are followed, and scheduling executed.
Family info and how it relates to your job and daily life (if you want).
I’m a single mother of 2 boys.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully, in a thriving self-sufficient business getting ready to move onto the next 5 years including a succession plan to sell my franchises.