DRIVING B.C. FORWARD
Through this 12-part series, Dueck GM salutes B.C.'S entrepreneurs who are driving growth and innovation in the local business community. This month's driving force is Cory May, President of Maybloom Farms and Ocean Spray Grower Council Member.
Afixture in B.C. for more than a century, Mayberry Farms is a true family operation. Cory May and his older siblings Derek and Melissa have been working on the farm for as long as they could remember, and it was their parents Randy and Joy who turned the berry crop farm into the success it is today. In 2014, it was decided by Randy and Joy to separate the farm so that each child could have their own farm to operate and run. However, despite each family now having their own farm, the May family has never been closer and continue to help each other and work together every chance they get. In fact, even to this day the May's will still go on family vacations with all 17 of them, which includes a total of nine grandchildren.
What's your favourite car?
Our favourite car is an Escalade and of course my father loves his Corvette
Why does the family choose Dueck as their preferred dealership?
We choose Dueck for their exceptional service and because they always accommodate all our individual needs.
What have been the keys to the farm's success?
The key to our success is our father's hard work, long hours and the choice of taking risks in growing our family business with Ocean Spray. Most people don't know that Ocean Spray is actually owned by all the growers and is a co-op.
How would you describe the leadership style?
Our style is to be very hands-on and we never ask our employees to do anything we wouldn't do ourselves.
What is one of the most underrated qualities of a leader?
I would say compassion would be the most under rated quality for a Leader
What excites you the most about the future of your industry?
The most exciting thing for us personally would be to see our kids continue to farm and enjoy the `family' lifestyle as our parents have seen us do.
What's the first thing you do when you arrive at the office?
Grab a cup of coffee with our foreman and discuss what will be done during the day, because every day on the Cranberry Farm can be so different.
What are three essentials on a road trip?
Ocean Spray cranberry juice, vodka and family!
What's your favourite quote and why?
My favourite quote is “My mother made me who I am and my Father made me what I am”
How do you to spend your time away from the office?
We love Granville Island for all it offers. Also, I enjoy walking or running the Seawall and eating the fish and chips in Steveston.
Which artists/genre of music is playing from your radio while you're driving?
It would definitely be country music.