Daniel McSween - From artist to successful entrepreneur

A stroke of luck

Nothing predestined Daniel McSween, visual artist, to become a businessman. Now at the helm of four Videotron boutiques, this jack-of-all-trades likes to say, with a touch of humour, that his success was a stroke of a luck.

The self-proclaimed cinephile never imagined he would one day own the video club he visited every week . . .until the former owner asked him if he wanted to buy it! McSween flung himself into his new endeavour, convinced of the potential of his future store and his ability to offer the best services possible. A natural go-getter, he does, however, admit that he had his moments of doubt. 

“I wasn’t familiar with the business. Plus, I bought the place in June, and I remember thinking that I wasn’t going to make any money because the stores are always empty that time of year.”

The four months during that first summer ended up being profitable in terms of movie rentals. “I was luckier than others,” confirms the entrepreneur, who recognizes that his path has been marked by trial and error. “I learned as I went; sometimes I got knocked down, but I advanced more than I backtracked.”

ENTREPRENEURIAL PROFILES

These days, proximity is a rare commodity. However, it is this proximity to the reality of your business and to your region that makes our strength. With now 39 stores offering the full range of business services to local entrepreneurs, we have decided to make a series of portraits that highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of the owners of those stores.

The importance of management

Although he’s never stopped growing his business, McSween admits that taking administrative and accounting classes helped him make better operational decisions and more relevant investments.

In fact, he advises any aspiring entrepreneur to learn about management and to study their market before throwing themselves into business.

He also believes that it’s essential to surround yourself with the right people. “My spouse studied accounting at HEC,” explains McSween. “So, I asked her to look over my numbers; she told me that I had to take a closer look at certain expenses.”

It’s thanks to his wife-turned-business-partner that today he owns and operates four Videotron boutiques. “If she hadn’t been there, I never would have been able to buy so many locations.” 

Innate leadership

While administration might not be his greatest strength, McSween excels at marketing and relationships. “I’m a patient guy and I’ve been told that I exude lots of leadership,” explains the businessowner, who counts 38 employees among his four boutiques, located in Vaudreuil, Chambly, Châteauguay, and Verdun. “I always try to smooth things over and rally the troops in a positive manner.” 

And ideas aren’t lacking for this former painter. “I never learned to build strategies,” admits the owner. “Instead, I watch and analyze what’s being done elsewhere, for example, and use that as inspiration to attract and retain customers. I just go for it. It’s innate!”

Hence why he threw himself into the transformation of his boutiques without hesitation. “I like the feeling I get in retail, being in competition, and having to fight to grow and develop my network. I felt like this transformation was a great opportunity.” 

Growing thanks to a new business clientele

For McSween, turning towards a business clientele was an obvious choice in terms of growing his business and stores. “We end up stagnating with residential, while the business network is exponential. There’s always something new to sell . . . it’s the future!”

Of course, it’s essential to offer an exemplary customer service to small businesses, who, according to McSween, have neither the means nor the time. “We all offer pretty much the same rates. SMEs want good service, they need proximity, and I think that’s what we offer with our regional locations.” 

In fact, that’s always been one of McSween’s priorities when hiring staff. “I tell my managers and supervisors to treat our customers like they would their own mother.”

“I think everyone wants to receive services that work for them, which is why I spend lots of time in each of my stores, meeting customers and asking them questions.”

And that’s part of the reason he’s earned himself the nickname Mr. Videotron. “Everyone knows that Daniel has a solution for everything!”

But, as the entrepreneur likes to remind everyone, running a successful business also requires a lot of sacrifices and long hours. “The important thing is to be motivated,” concludes McSween. “Of course, being disciplined is also great, but I think if you truly like what you do, the rest will just follow.”