Against All Odds - John A. Brink

In this interview, John and Veronica discuss the BCR Property that was acquired as well as what he learned from getting that property that helped him in acquiring other properties. 

Maintaining control of your business is very important to John, so he goes in depth about what that means and what the pros and cons are of doing so. 

John also discusses the differences between Bank Financing and Vendor Financing and why using each one properly can be a huge advantage for a business person.

Against All Odds is scheduled for release on March 12, 2021, both in hard copy and audiobook format.

John had to re-invent the company in 2003, so this episode goes into the details of that reinvention in more detail. What to do? Expand or change completely?

John knew his remanufacturing plant would not be able to keep going because he'd be loosing access to fibre, so he did everything he could to build a new fingerjoint plant in order to move the people who were working in the remanufacturing plant over to the new fingerjoint plant. 

It's usually easier to buy an existing operation than to start a new one. John discusses why that is the case and how he had to adapt during this time in his journey in order to keep the business moving forward. 

Against All Odds is scheduled for release on March 12, 2021, both in hard copy and audiobook format.

After winning the court case, the next step was to obtain damages. At this point the business was being boycotted because of the law suit and John was again facing bankrupcy if he didn't figure out how to reduce expenses and raise capital. 

What kept John going during this uncertain time? His dream for his business and his commitment to his employees. Even John's employees knew and understood the unfairness that was revealed in the court case and were willing to stick with John until the buisness could get turned back around.

As if that wasn't a big enough challenge to overcome, a change in Provincial Government meant a change to many policies and priorities in the resource sector. At that time, the priorities changed to export more lumber to Asia...usually most of the lower grade lumber that was previously used by BC secondary manufacturers (like Brink Forest Products).

Through the College of New Caledonia, John helped develop the "Wood Working Initiative" that encouraged BC construction to use wood as a more integral part of a buildings construction so that we could show the world in a literal sense why wood is a better alternative to other materials in some cases.

In this inteview, John also goes through his vision for the BC forest industry and what a bright future might look like. 

Against All Odds is scheduled for release on March 12, 2021, both in hard copy and audiobook format.

After a chilling discovery regarding the industry grading system, John vows to change the industry standards before his business is rendered unviable. He is met with roadblocks, corruption, fraud, and secrets.   

A lawsuit, escalating to the Supreme Court of British Columbia, ensues. John has a difficult time finding witnesses in a tight-knit industry, but all was not lost because he had an advantage... the truth. 

John discloses the toll of the threats and arsons on his life at the time.  

Against All Odds is scheduled for release on March 12, 2021, both in hard copy and audiobook format.   

John had acquired the loan required to fund his sawmill, but it wasn't all smooth sailing. He now needed to secure a lumber supply, a way to certify his radical idea to fingerjoint the waste product, and motivate a new market to sell his new product.  

The toll of long hours and establishing a new business from the ground up results in a near fatal accident and the separation of John and his wife, taking an enormous toll on his personal life. His sacrifices result in great successes in other areas of his life and business.  

Against All Odds is scheduled for release on March 12, 2021, both in hard copy and audiobook format.  

After selling his hotel for $1, John takes a position as a forklift driver. He advances to an office position in short order. After the sales manager suffers a heart attack, John absorbs the position, again advancing. He starts working on a business plan for his dream company "Brink Forest Products" while in the position. 

His experience in Holland as a teen brings him to a pivotal and revolutionary idea within the forestry industry and gives him a radical edge in his business plan. With no equity, he's left to sell his idea to investors.

Against All Odds is scheduled for release on March 12, 2021, both in hard copy and audiobook format.

In this Chapter 1 interview, Veronica goes over some of the pivotal moments of John's childhood (growing up during WWII) and how that has shaped who he is today. 

Against All Odds is an autobiography from John A. Brink. In this interview series with Veronica Lambert, John discusses his inspiration for writing his first book and the events that transpired throughout his lifetime.   Against All Odds is scheduled for release on March 12, 2021, both in hard copy and audiobook format.