The Secret of Mr. Pickwick’s Success: Commitment and Action
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER - The great U.S. horseracing jockey, Willie Shoemaker, was once asked what he attributed to the secret of his phenomenal success and he replied, “the harder I work, the luckier I get.” I was reminded of these sentiments recently when speaking with Rayana Blackwell of Mr. Pickwick’s Fish and Chips at one of their two newest locations, which both opened within a space of 60 days.
HELEN THOMAS (bowler hat) with owner Rayana Blackwell at Mr. Pickwick’s on Denman Street. Picture of Roy Blackwell, in the background. He is known as Mr. Pickwick.
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When The Celtic Connection finally caught up with Rayana at the new Mr. Pickwick’s on Denman Street near English Bay, she had worked around the clock getting ready for the next opening day. She said, “this used to be the old Bud’s Fish and Chips, we’ve revived it, cleaned it, cleaned it and cleaned some more. Our location in West Vancouver used to be the old Petticoat Lane Fish and Chips in the Ambleside area. I’m committed to having a clean, clean restaurant and we always invite people in to our kitchens at any time."
Rayana and Roy Blackwell are the owners of Mr. Pickwick’s Fish & Chips. They are both extremely hard workers and put a lot of energy and enthusiasm into their business and always with a smile. “We always knew that we wanted to open another store,” Rayana said, “we just didn’t know where or when – possibly in two or three years – and we just kind of put it out there.
“We didn’t expect it to happen in 60 days. You have got to be really careful what you wish for...it’s apt to happen. And I find for a lot of things – and maybe it’s because I’ve put in the time and effort – what would normally take a lot of people 10, 15 or 20 years to happen...it’s like all of a sudden compacted in my life in a year.
“Both Roy and I are people, people. We love people, we love working with people and for people and we love being part of the community. You know, when opportunity knocks, you just go for it and yes. You do your market research and your business plan and your homework. And then you do more homework...you can never do enough homework.
“You need lots of mentors, you need to talk to lots of different business people around the locations and be in action. Be committed, be in action. The two go hand-in-hand, you can have commitment but if you don’t have action, commitment doesn’t happen. If you’re in action and you don’t have commitment, then you’re all over the place.”
Rayana and Roy split their time between the three locations. “And once we get another vehicle, it’ll be a heck of a lot easier,” Rayana said, “but in our management days, we actually managed two restaurants on the bus with a shopping cart, so this is an improvement. It’s determination, if you don’t put in the time and effort, you’re not going to achieve your dream.
“You take artists, they paint and paint for years before they are finally recognized or make any money, it’s the same with singers, the restaurant business is no different. You have got to put in time, effort and dedication. In fact, Roy has become so much part of the business, he is often introduced as Mr. Pickwick.”
Mr. Pickwick’s Fish and Chips three locations are: 8620 Granville Street, Vancouver; 1007 Denman Street (English Bay); and 1863 Marine Drive (Ambleside Area), West Vancouver.
For more information, visit: www.mrpickwicks.bc.ca.
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