Local entrepreneur Dave Barker, of Drycleaning by Dave, is a self-described perfectionist.
“It’s natural for me,” said Barker. “I always tried to be the best at what I do — the best in the region, the province, the country.”
It seems his hard work has paid off, as he was recently crowned Canadian Industry Person of the Year by Fabricare Canada magazine.
“It’s nice to be recognized as a leader in the industry and as a contributor to the industry,” said Barker. “You don’t want to just take out, you want to give back as well.
“I’ve always been vocal about the industry, about what is good for it and what isn’t... I’ve always tried to go the distance, improve customer relationships and create a positive impression for dry cleaners.”
Barker was first contacted about the award in June, when his wife, Sharon, called him — in tears — during a meeting.
“I thought something was wrong,” he said with a laugh. “It took her awhile to tell me what the tears were about. It was quite a thrill, it came out of nowhere.”
Barker has a lengthy background in dry cleaning, getting his start with One Hour Martinizing before branching off with his own Barker’s Fine Drycleaning, which he sold in 2000 in an effort to retire.
But retirement didn’t suit the businessman, who said he opened a small operation in Cochrane as “a hobby.” Now, Drycleaning by Dave has three stores, and pick-up and delivery routes.
While Barker — the perfectionist — said he still handles some of the details of the business, the reins have been handed over to his daughter and general manager, Candice Barker-Mills, and his son-in-law, Jeff Mills.
Drycleaning by Dave continues to expand, said Barker, with a new Calgary location slated to open in 2013.
