Patti Batty has worked for several years in businesses in the Assiniboia area since the early 1990s. She’s been self-employed in two different tire shops in town along with her husband Alan. The couple purchased a tire shop across from SARCAN in 1994, close to where an earlier James Tire franchise had been. She’s also owned a hair salon. Moreover, Batty’s served as a councillor for the Town of Assiniboia for nearly eight years. Batty is pleased for being enabled to provide a multitude of services as a tire shop co-owner, a stylist, a salon operative and a town councillor for the people of Assiniboia. Recently, Batty shared her secrets to being an accomplished business operator and community representative.
Batty said independent business owners should have a love for their work if they’re longing for positive and fruitful results. “You have to have a passion for what you’re doing to make a difference,” Batty explained, adding “You’ve got to figure out what your goals are. Not everyone wants to be in a management position.”
Both Alan and Patti have enjoyed their times as the co-managers of the Kal Tire franchise at 505 First Avenue West. “It’s been very gratifying to be self-employed. Both Alan and I like helping our community. Assiniboia has been very good to us.”
Another ingredient to Batty’s success is due to the support of the team at Kal Tire. “We’ve got a good group of people working with us,” Batty smiled.
According to Batty, the ultimate requirement for effective community representatives and business owners alike involves the act of listening first before responding. For Batty, listening skills form a significant role in effective public communications. She has often been expected to balance her triple roles as a business owner, town representative and mother. However, Batty’s ensured to keep her communication channels accessible for anyone wishing to discuss matters involving Assiniboia and other important issues of the day, whether business-related or not. “I’ve always made it my policy to keep my door open,” she promised.
