The Journey Begins

When Jordan Gillespie joined HarrisonBowker Valuation Group, the company was a small but dedicated team, primarily focused on residential appraisals. Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit he inherited from his father (who was also a TEC member), Jordan along with his business partners Greg Bowker and Pat Woodlock saw potential for growth. Yet, as the company grew, so did its complexity. Jordan and his partners found themselves struggling to maintain control over various aspects of the operation.

Facing limited structure in HR, financial controls, and daily operations, Jordan realized they needed support to break through the barriers hindering their growth. During this time, Jordan also moved to a new city, Calgary, and was looking to connect with the business community. That’s when he turned to TEC Canada, joining a peer group of like-minded business leaders under the guidance of an experienced mentor, all of whom would prove to be incredible relationships for his business and ROI.

A Mentor Who Made All the Difference

Jordan was paired with TEC Chair Deb Milimaka Miles, an experienced business expert with an extensive background in HR. Deb’s guidance helped Jordan and his partners implement critical HR policies and structures, an area where his business had previously lacked formal processes.

“Deb is invaluable to me… Her background is in HR, so she’s helped me out with creating contracts with employees, a vacation policy, and structuring employment properly in general—that was massive for us.”

Deb’s mentorship gave Jordan not just the technical know-how but a framework for stability, allowing him and his partners to manage their growing team with confidence.

A Peer Network and New Partnerships

Through TEC Canada, Jordan gained not only mentorship but a supportive network of fellow leaders facing similar challenges. Upon moving to Calgary, he noticed that the business community operated differently than his previous community in Edmonton. His TEC group immediately injected him into the local business scene and introduced him to the nuances that came with it as well as meaningful relationships.

His group provided more than just camaraderie—it also connected him with the valuable business insights provided by  his peers. One standout relationship was with another member of his TEC group, who’s bookkeeping expertise helped HarrisonBowker organize and streamline their financials. These insights proved crucial in stabilizing and forecasting cash flow. This collaboration transformed HarrisonBowker’s finances and underscored the power of TEC’s network.

Learning Accountability as a Leader

A driven leader with a natural inclination for setting ambitious goals, Jordan found one of the biggest leaps he made was mastering accountability within his team—a lesson TEC helped him embrace.

“I think one of the harder things to do as a leader is accountability. Ideas are the easy part; it’s the follow-up and accountability that’s the hard part… TEC really helped me learn how to hold others and myself accountable.”

This enhanced focus on accountability turned out to be a game-changer, especially when having to delegate tasks internally and externally, a necessary step for HarrisonBowker when breaking through to the next stage of growth. With their new-found structure and consistency, HarrisonBowker, with the hard work of their dedicated team, are now able to progress sustainably, with more forecasts to expand operations and geographical reach on the horizon.

Support Through Challenges

Navigating the path of a business leader can be isolating, but Jordan found a remedy through his TEC peer group.

The opportunity to exchange insights, learn from others’ experiences, and share both successes and setbacks gave Jordan the support he needed to navigate business leadership with greater confidence. His TEC group became his go-to for difficult questions, strategic decisions, and the emotional resilience required in leadership.

A Structured Foundation for Future Growth

With TEC’s mentorship and support, Jordan could finally put the operational systems in place that HarrisonBowker needed to thrive.

 “We grew to a point where we kind of were at a ceiling. And we didn’t have the structure in place to grow anymore… TEC has helped us methodically go through each division and create a structure where there wasn’t any before…Now we’re at a place where we feel that we’re in control and can grow nationally.”

Today, HarrisonBowker stands as a testament to the power of mentorship, and the strength of peer support. With TEC Canada as a constant source of accountability, camaraderie, and insight, Jordan and his partners now lead their dedicated team toward national expansion, grounded in a foundation they trust. Reflecting on his journey, Jordan describes that TEC has not only helped HarrisonBowker grow but has transformed him as a leader and business owner.

If you’re a business leader struggling with isolation, implementing accountability, or finding a foundation and structure to lean on when expanding operations, click the following link to learn more and see if a TEC membership and peer group is right for you.