Mark's

👋 Meet Darren Alley!   Since joining Mark's in 2013, Darren has embarked on an incredible career journey. At Mark’s, supporting our people’s growth matters to us, which is why we offer development programs like our uLead and Leadership Acceleration programs to our employees. These programs have supported Darren's career progression across the GTA.   Darren finds excitement in coming to work every day because he enjoys helping others succeed. As a leader, he brings his learned experiences to the table, ensuring that those around him also have opportunities for career growth and success, just as he has.   🟧 Learn more about Darren's career journey with Mark's. 

#WhatMattersNow ft. Heather Wilson “During COVID while isolated at home, my brother built me a planter. I quickly discovered the joy of gardening, and it didn’t take long before the planter was completely filled with vegetables. Since then, I’ve also started a small indoor greenhouse to grow plants from seeds during the colder months (a great way to cure the upcoming winter blues!) and have been adding more garden space to my backyard, which has now become an oasis for me and my dog Huxley. He has taken on the role of ‘garden guardian,’ always playfully chasing away birds and rabbits from nibbling on the veggies and is rewarded handsomely with fresh carrots, peas, and cherry tomatoes. Over the years, I’ve experimented with growing various plants, and while some have failed, the wins have always made up for it. This year in particular, I had such an abundance of produce, allowing me to experiment with canning and drying herbs. Lately I’ve been grateful for the warm start to fall we’ve had, but I’m excited to begin planting seeds indoors as the weather gets colder, ensuring they’ll be ready for next spring. #WhatMattersNow is connecting with nature and finding joy in your own backyard – either figuratively, or for me, literally! Tending to what brings you happiness is never a waste of time.”

#WhatMattersNow ft. kimberly seepersad “I spent most of my life following a safe and predictable path, always obedient, loyal, and studious. So, when I entered adulthood and encountered the harsh reality of life being tougher than I had believed in my sheltered youth, it was a shock. I quickly learned that to succeed, I needed to hustle and learn how to speak up for myself – a significant deviation from my previous approach of patiently waiting for things to work themselves out. While this constant hustling mindset proved effective in achieving goals, it eventually took its toll, and I lost sight of myself. It was then I remembered the little girl inside me who was always silenced, and I decided how I would show up for her. With renewed determination, I jumped up, dusted myself off, and resumed searching for my true path in life – and while it’s yet to be discovered, I know I’m on the right track. #WhatMattersNow is the journey – to constantly learn, make mistakes, and grow. I wake up each morning thankful for life and its possibilities. My journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s easier to understand when we realize no one has all the answers, all the time – we're all just trying to make it work.”  

#WhatMattersNow ft. Cindy Pardy “Family has always been my foundation, and this summer I completed mine – on August 10, together with our children and grandchildren, I married the love of my life. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing my family happy, and I’m so grateful my calendar is often filled with trips to soccer fields and hockey rinks, finding bouncy castles to jump on, and hosting sleepovers. While this fills my cup, another way I like to spend my days is volunteering. As an active member of The Town of Marystown Tourism and Special Events committee, I help organize events throughout the year for town residents. Additionally, I proudly serve as the Co-Chair of Friends of Daffodil Place, raising funds to support Daffodil Place – a home away from home for people impacted by cancer. I take great joy and pride in supporting this organization, especially after personally experiencing the devastating effects of cancer when my father passed away within three months of his diagnosis. Over the past 18 years, our collective efforts have raised over $650,000! In today's busy world, it’s not always easy, but #WhatMattersNow is finding time for the things, and more importantly the people, we value most.” 

#WhatMattersNow ft. Tameem Shafiyullah “A decade ago, my husband and I embarked on an exciting new journey as immigrants to Canada. Over the past ten years, we’ve faced the challenge of bridging the cultural differences between India and Canada. Balancing traditional family values with Canada’s more individualistic culture required adaptability and open-mindedness, but together with my husband, we’ve blended the two to create a harmonious, full life. Recently, I was fortunate to take a much-needed girls' trip where I spent time rediscovering myself and rejuvenating my spirit. On this trip, I realized just how much of a whirlwind life can be and why it is so important to create time for yourself to slow down and reflect. With calendars so full of work and family commitments, finding time for yourself can be difficult. Which is why #WhatMattersNow is focusing on a well-rounded life, embracing both responsibilities and the commitments you make to yourself.”  

#WhatMattersNow ft. Weijia Gao “I’m someone who is deeply committed to giving my best effort in everything I do. When I’m at work, I prioritize staying focused by minimizing distractions and keeping my phone out of sight. Similarly, during my personal time, I try to keep thoughts of work at bay and fill my time doing the things I love. Solving puzzles is something that helps me unwind, and I always look forward to the accomplishment of placing the final piece. I am also an avid baker, with Swiss rolls and canelé being my specialties, although I did recently make a delicious strawberry cake from fresh strawberries I picked from a local patch. While I enjoy the process of baking, the best part is always sharing what I make with my favourite people. Last year, after being apart for four years, I finally had the opportunity to visit China to see my favourite people of all: my parents. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized just how important their love and support are – a truth my teenage self would never be able to admit. #WhatMattersNow is fully investing into the things you do, but not forgetting to share them with the people you love. In addition to only people, my cat Van Gogh is one of my best friends and has been by my side for four years. Life is truly better when it’s not alone.” 

#WhatMattersNow ft. Hélina L. “Over the past year, I’ve experienced some of the most challenging yet rewarding moments of my life, from starting a new job to, most importantly, becoming a mother. I used to be fearless, someone who wasn’t afraid of anything, but after becoming a mom, I started overthinking every decision, action, and aspect of my life. I lost my identity, stopped doing the things I once loved, and struggled to recognize this new person I had become. Although, through these changes, I discovered a new source of strength and inspiration: my son. His constant smiles have become a powerful reminder of how everything is and will be ok. #WhatMattersNow is being a positive impact for yourself and others. My son's innocent joy reignited the familiar spark within me and has given me a renewed sense of purpose. I want to be remembered as someone who inspires, motivates, and makes a difference. We must embrace our struggles, learn from them, and remember them to make lasting impacts on those around us.”  

👋 Meet Dave Jarvis! Since joining Mark's in 2002 as a part-time Associate while attending university, Dave has embarked on an incredible career journey taking on new locations and gaining valuable experience among the Atlantic region. What excites Dave about coming to work every day is the opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams and learn something new. Whether interacting with the IT department, communications team, or store teams, he embraces the variety and knowledge gained from working across the CTC enterprise. 🟧Learn more about Dave’s journey with Mark's.

#WhatMattersNow ft. Amy Vandermeer “Time is flying! This year marks 22 years I’ve been working at Mark’s and 26 years I’ve been with my husband building a life together we love. #WhatMattersNow is embracing the balance between the two and celebrating exciting milestones along the way. Spending quality time with my family ranges anywhere from watching our two daughters play basketball and walking our two dogs after work, to quadding, hiking, golfing, and motorbiking on the weekends. Over the years, our core friend group has grown to 15 people, including all of the adult-aged children who still actively choose to hang out with their parents (lucky us!). Looking ahead to the fall, we’re eagerly awaiting our eldest daughter’s wedding in September, and hopefully a warm beach vacation over the holidays. Balancing a fulfilling career, a busy personal life with lots of family and friends, and squeezing in some dedicated me-time may seem like a lot sometimes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

👋 Meet Jill Fletcher! Jill has been a part of the Mark's team since 2015, and has dedicated over 8 years of her career in various leadership positions in our stores across Saskatchewan and Alberta. Recently, Jill has further progressed her career with Mark’s and has taken on a new adventure by joining the corporate office team as a Store Operations Support Coordinator.  In her new role, Jill enjoys taking her in-store retail operations knowledge and expertise and applying it to her corporate role to further allow her to make life in Canada better for our customers. Throughout Jill’s diverse experiences with Mark’s she has found her voice and built a connection with our Core Values and Brand Purpose. She no longer feels that her personal values and advocacy have to exist separately from her work environment; instead, they are encouraged to be integrated as one with the work she does here at Mark’s. 🟧Learn more about Jill’s journey with Mark's