When Mouat’s Home Hardware store manager Maria Elsser took to a Toronto conference hall stage to receive a national award from the company, she said that up until that moment, she hadn’t fully internalized how big the crowd would be.
“If you can just imagine,” laughed Elsser. “All the dealers and owners and everybody; there were thousands of attendees.”
Elsser, who grew up on Salt Spring Island and now manages her hometown store, was honoured with the company’s Canada-wide Women’s Inclusion Network (WIN) award, selected for her “exceptional work in inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility,” according to Home Hardware — a humbling moment, she said, given the “competition.” Elsser said after a fascinating panel discussion, featuring women in executive positions talking about diversity in the workplace, they called her up on stage to be presented with the award.
“And I also got to make a little speech, which was very terrifying. My face was up on a huge projector, there was a whole room full of people clapping. It was just an incredible experience.”
In hardware stores generally, Elsser said, the vast majority of employees are male. She launched her own retail career working for one of the quintessential “big box” stores, where she said she was the youngest person — and only woman — in management.
“It is a male-dominated industry,” said Elsser. “It was a very hard thing to break into, not exactly inviting. I always thought, you know, if I’m ever in a role where I’m able to have an influence on a store, I want to ensure that everyone comes to work and feels valued. I want people to be able to come into the store and feel like no matter who they are or how they identify, that they are welcome, and they are cared for.
“And that they belong here,” she added.
One of the things that Elsser found so attractive about Mouat’s right from the start was that not only was that kind of culture already in place, but the business itself was founded by a woman.
“And Home Hardware as a company is really trying to focus, not just on women, but on inclusivity within their stores and communities,” said Elsser. “Especially within their leadership teams.”
For the last three years, Elsser said, WIN has been honouring one employee — not necessarily a woman, she added — that has demonstrated an ability to foster inclusion and diversity within their store’s environment.
“I’m just so grateful and humbled,” said Elsser. “You know the two previous winners introduced me, and one of them was on the board of directors for Home Hardware corporate, the other owns her own store. Just such incredible people, so to be able to sit next to them and be considered as part of that group was just amazing.”
Mouat’s Trading Co. president Jessie Toynbee said Elsser was if anything being modest; in the five years Elsser’s been at the store, Toynbee said, she has managed to create a lasting impact on its workplace culture. Toynbee said Elsser made Mouat’s a dedicated employer partner to Salt Spring’s GIFTS program — providing employment opportunities for people with cognitive and development disabilities — and has actively fostered a safe, welcoming work environment for the island’s LGBTQ+ community.
“Above all else, Maria always leads with kindness,” said Toynbee, “and embodies a passion for making Mouat’s a positive workplace and active contributor to our Salt Spring community. Our whole team celebrates Maria’s accomplishment with pride and gratitude.”
“Now I have this network of women who do work for nonprofits and support community events and all that kind of great stuff,” said Elsser. “So I can really start planning and thinking of what I can do next for the community. I have lots of ideas, and it’s wonderful to have that sort of support and inspiration.”
Elsser said whatever the future holds, she plans to keep up with one of her favourite duties: mentoring and working with “14 year olds on their first job,” she said — high school students starting out at Mouat’s.
“I really love how I get to watch them grow, develop, learn,” said Elsser. “Help them feel supported and appreciated as part of the team, just as much as any other employee.”
This past June, she got to watch her first round of former 14 year olds graduate and move on to bigger things.
“They invited me to their graduation!” she said. “I was so happy for them.”