A La Ronge resident says he was inspired to open a driving school after spending years as a truck driver in Saskatchewan.
Witnessing poor driving habits first hand on northern highways, Tanner Cook started Keewatin Driver Training school in July.
“My previous experience was as a pallet trucker, so I was driving up to the mines, and one of the things that got me into drivers’ training was the fact of seeing other drivers not being safe driving up and down that north road,” he says. “As a result, I became a driver instructor and my students will know how to drive that northern road.”
Cook says perseverance is important when starting your own business and the biggest hurdle is obtaining adequate financing.
However, he encourages other northerners to start their own business if they feel they have a good idea.
“The more business we have up here, the stronger we are as a community, and we put money back into the community and support local business. We can come together as a northern community and improve the living standards and conditions.”
Cook says he enjoys the time he gets to spend with local high school students, inspiring them to think about owning a business one day, all while teaching good driving habits.
He says he is focusing his business in La Ronge for now but is interested in possibly branching out into other northern communities including Stanley Mission, Pinehouse and South End in the future.
(PHOTO: The northern road ahead. Photo courtesy of Tanner Cook, Keewatin Driver Training Facebook page.)