Sea-Sport Outboard Marina & Clothing

A personal greeting goes a long way in business, and it starts with knowing the names of your customers. According to Sea-Sport Outboard Marina & Clothing manager Terry Hodam, it is easy to know your customers in a place like Prince Rupert, where customers are often your friends and neighbours. Prince Rupert is an especially friendly place where it doesn't take long to get to know fellow community members, and where everyone is willing to help someone else out when there is a need.

Sea-Sport Outboard Marina & Clothing has been a part of the community for more than 50 years. Originally called Clark's Outboard, it went through a name change, a move and several renovations and expansions, including the addition of a clothing store, throughout the ensuing decades to what it is today. Says Terry, "we are proud of our ability to change and evolve and to be able to provide as much as we can under one roof and support our local economy and community." Terry, Robert and Les credit their store's success to the strong support that they have received over the years from the people who live in Prince Rupert. "Everyone looks at Sea-Sport if they can't find it anywhere else," Terry says. "Our regular customers check Sea-Sport first."

Terry, Robert and Les have noticed a move among business owners toward competing less and working together more to support one another and improve the business climate so that everyone benefits. Events like business to business nights are just one of the ways that local businesses are striving to come together and advocate for each other and for the local economy as a whole.