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section 1final:issue26layout.q.q.q.qcopy.q4/2/092:44PMPage m a g a z i n e $ 3 . 9 5 C a n . w w w . t h e d r i v e m a g a z i n e . c o m i s s u e 6 2 section 1 final:issue 26 layout.q.q.q.q copy.q 4/2/09 2:44 PM Page 12 section 1 final:issue 26 layout.q.q.q.q copy.q 4/2/09 2:44 PM Page 13 PROFILE The Right Stuff TV star,multi-media icon and cutting edge developer,Mike Holmes - remains,at heart, what he’s always been:A damn good - and honest - contractor.Just Ask him. Story by Gavin MacDougall - Photography by Steve Pomerleau The two-story building tucked into derkind Mike Holmes. Thanks to the the heart of its owner, cutting-edge resi- the corner of a somewhat hidden industri- enormous success of the HGTV network`s dential development projects. The al crescent just off busy Kipling Avenue in award-winning Holmes on Homes televi- building houses about a dozen staff and Etobicoke hardly seems an appropriate sion show, which Holmes developed, all the tools and materials used in the home base for one of Canada's latest and starred in and produced for seven sea- company's various endeavours, but greatest entertainment exports. Then sons, the Toronto native has spawned a space has grown considerably tighter again, its proprietor has never been one to multi-million dollar enterprise encompass- over the past few years. put style ahead of substance. ing television shows, books, DVDs, brand- “Yeah, we kind of ran out (of space), This is the head office of The Holmes ed clothing, advertising endorsements, oh probably three years ago,” says Holmes Group, the multi-media empire headed by personal appearances and now, nearest with his trademark hearty laugh, while gaz- renowned Canadian do-it-your- and dearest to ing at shelves packed with building mate- self wun- rials and other supplies. “But, what to do when you’re just so damn busy. I think we have to build anoth- er floor, section 1 final:issue 26 layout.q.q.q.q copy.q 4/2/09 2:44 PM Page 14 expand backwards, or move. We’ll get “bad renovations” to fill a “decade’s worth with HGTV producers, where he let loose around to it soon enough though.” of (Holmes on Homes) shows.” It was on what he saw as the biggest ailments of In other words, renovations at com - those experiences, as well as lessons the home building and renovation industry. pany headquarters can wait awhile, thank learned from his father - who first “I basically outlined the premise for a you very much. After all, to be Mike impressed upon Mike the importance of show that would feature a contracting Holmes these days is to be one of the “doing something right” - that Holmes team helping homeowners who’d been busiest men in show business. Or is that began plotting the basic parameters of screwed over by unscrupulous or simply one of the busiest men in the building and Holmes on Homes. It was around this incompetent renovators and contractors,” renovation business? Holmes, of course, same time he landed a set-building gig on he recalls. “I wasn’t even thinking of myself prefers the latter, since he’s the first to tell Just Ask Jon Eakes, HGTV’s home as the guy who would be that contractor. you – adamantly, in fact – that he’s not a improvement show. Toward the end of I just told them that I had seen so “TV guy.” that first season Holmes was given a few much bad stuff over the course of my “I know I have TV to thank for putting short on-air segments, and took to the career that I felt this was the kind of show me in this position and for the success of camera so well the show’s producer imme - homeowners would want to see and learn our company,” says Holmes. “But I can diately began thinking “spin-off.” from. I guess they liked the idea because honestly say I don’t care about TV. It Holmes says his “big mouth” had a they asked for a pilot about an hour after (fame and celebrity) never was the reason lot to do with sowing the seeds of what listening to be blab-on about it!” I got into all of this and it’s still not the rea - would become Holmes on Homes. The The Mike Holmes phenomenon was son now. TV was the forum, the medium, idea for the show ready for launch. Holmes on Homes first that allowed me to get across a message had been with aired in 2001 and although there were I’ve always felt was important. I still chuck - him for some few submissions from disenchanted le at people referring to me as a reality TV time when homeowners initially, that number would star! I’m a building contractor, period.” he struck balloon to the hundreds of thousands by Regardless of how one classifies up a con - year seven. Ten years removed from Mike Holmes these days, it’s near-impos - versa - those humble beginnings, Mike Holmes is sible to argue the fact that, of the hordes tion now a household name across Canada, of modern-day celebrities who owe and a growing their ascent to reality TV, few pres - have achieved as lasting ence in fame and fortune as the the US, 45-year old Holmes. UK, and Then again, few have Australian mar - as legitimate a tal - kets where Holmes ent as the brawny, on Homes has been syn - clean-cut, overall- dicated. Still, after seven clad contractor; seasons of fixing the “bad nor the seemingly guys” mistakes, Holmes universal audience decided it was time to ready and willing to steer his television exploits tap that talent and – and, in a broader sense, his knowledge. entire company – in a new direction. Ten years ago the So he pulled the chute on Holmes on father of three was busy plying his Homes, deciding to retire the show while trade as the owner/operator of it was still fresh and on top. But fear not Restovate, a small renovation company all fans of Mike – an audience that now working the Greater Toronto Area. runs in the millions upon millions of dedi - Fifteen years into the industry by cated viewers – there is still plenty of your then, Holmes had seen enough favourite died-in-the-wool contractor to 14 section 1 final:issue 26 layout.q.q.q.q copy.q 4/2/09 2:44 PM Page 15 see on the tube. Indeed, Mike Holmes isn’t going anywhere. He’s just getting bigger. Later this month, Holmes lands in Windsor for the 28th annual Windsor Home & Leisure Show, courtesy of LaSalle’s Meloche Windows and Doors. He’ll be making two appearances on the Sunday segment of the Show, preaching the same “common sense” principals and philosophies he first learned from his father, and which he’s promoted since launching his first renovation company at age 19. In advance of his visit to the city of roses, THE DRIVE caught up with Mike Holmes in his T.O. digs to talk about, amongst other things, the dizzying success of the Holmes Group, where the compa- ny heads from here, his celebrity status, green homes, and of course, the importance of “Making it Right.” TDM: With Holmes on Homes having wrapped production after seven seasons, is it a little easier being Mike Holmes these days? MH: Do you mean are we less busy now? Hardly! (laughing). Actually, it seems we’ve got more on the go than ever; even when we were doing the show. But you won’t hear me complain. I’ve been very fortunate that the success of the show has put me in position to pursue the kinds of projects I want and what I think is best for our company; things like the residential development projects we’ve in the works, our foundation for the trades and our charity work. Plus, we’ve got the new show we’re launching and our specials; like what we did in New Orleans. TDM: That, of course, is the Holmes in New Orleans special airing this month; which, we might add, had you rubbing shoulders with the likes of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. What was that like? MH: They’re great people. You know, so often you read or hear about all the crap in the tabloids about people like them, but they really are down-to-earth people. Yeah, they’re incredibly successful at what they do and they’ve got lots of money, but do you think they’d be doing what they’re doing in New Orleans – which is helping peo- ple in that city get their lives back – if they didn’t give a damn. They stepped up to the plate and that’s what makes a difference in our world; when people decide to do something about a problem. TDM: How did the whole New Orleans thing with them come about? MH: Well, we had heard that Brad Pitt had formed an organization called Make It Right New Orleans so we were obviously intrigued by what they were doing because “Make It Right” is trademarked by our company and it’s what we’ve always been associated with; right from our very beginning.