Creating a Family Legacy
Nestled in the friendly town of Three Hills, Alberta, Ken and Laura Lee Cunningham's entrepreneurial journey with Bigfoot & Co. Inc. unfolds as an inspiring tale of success. Their vision to provide excellent quality agriculture/truck supplies and service to Three Hills and surrounding areas drove the founding of Bigfoot & Co. Inc., a company committed to its community.
In the 1980s, Ken Cunningham worked with his father and brother grain farming. He also worked off the farm as a mechanic in the agriculture industry. In 1990, Ken built his first shop on the farm for extra income. It turned out to be the start of a successful business. Customer service was his strength and the business grew.
Ken married the love of his life Laura Lee in 1991. Business thrived, allowing them to raise three kids while pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams. In 1992, the trucking industry introduced the CVIP program. Seeing the potential there, Ken added the additional services to include commercial trucks. By 1997, he had two more mechanics and built a second shop to accommodate the growth.
During this time, Ken and Laura Lee were also grain farming. In 2000, they had to make the crucial decision whether they would continue farming or focus on the growing business. In 2001, they sold everything, borrowed over a million dollars, and moved their family to Three Hills. They built a 20,000 sq/ft business—a shop, parts store, and a truck and carwash. Despite the huge investment, they were confident about this venture's potential.
Today, Bigfoot & Co. is celebrating their 34th year in business. They specialize in providing comprehensive services for agricultural, truck, and trailer vehicles, offering heavy-duty servicing as well as light automotive solutions. Additionally, they operate a retail parts store and boast an extensive washing facility. The 3-bay car wash has a 110' truck wash bay with catwalks, a 57' RV wash bay, and an outdoor bay featuring a touchless car wash option.
One of their points of pride was paying off the million-dollar loan five years early. Another great source of pride for the couple came when their son, Max, officially joined the family business as a licensed Partsman with a shared passion for customer service. Their other two children, Hannah and Connor, have played important roles in the business as well, it truly has been a family success story.
Recalling bad customer service encounters, Ken has made honesty and sincerity a business principle. With a welcoming front counter and a heart for their community, not only is Bigfoot & Co. Inc. a family-run business, but it turns customers into family.
Beyond the shop, Ken and Laura Lee have actively engaged in community activities such as coaching hockey and figure skating, volunteer flower planting at the Hospital, the beautification of Three Hills, Three Hills Health Initiative member and numerous other activities. They are longtime members of the Chamber of Commerce as executive members and contribute to local functions with raffle prizes, donations and their time where possible. They love rural Alberta and endeavour to make it a wonderful place to live, raise a family and own a business.
After 34 years in business, Ken’s enthusiasm and commitment have not waned. He says there have been “lots of ups and downs, BUT I still am the first person at work every day.”
Ken and Laura Lee Cunningham's success with Bigfoot & Co. Inc. stands as an inspiring example of an entrepreneur's ability to overcome challenges and thrive in a competitive market. Through resilience, innovation, and strategic decision-making, Ken and Laura Lee have transformed their vision into a thriving business, leaving a lasting impression on the entrepreneurial landscape and the community.
Community Futures Wild Rose is proud to have played a small role in Bigfoot & Co. Inc.'s success story, gaining them as a client in 2005. We are pleased to see how far Ken and Laura Lee have come and look forward to watching where they go from here. Their story is an inspiring example of the power of family and community-focused entrepreneurship.
Find Bigfoot & Co. Inc. on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigfoot3hills/
Bigfoot & Co. Inc
238-17 Ave. N. Three Hills, AB
P: +1 403-443-3668
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