40 Years and Counting

Sieg (left) and Al Pedde in an advertising photo taken in 1976 or so

It was 40 years ago today, on September 4th, 1968, that my brother and I started doing deliveries for clients in London, Ontario; he in his 1964 Volkswagen and I in my 1957 Volkswagen. I had started doing deliveries for select clients during the summer after my first year at the University of Western Ontario because I couldn't find a real job. When it seemed clear to me that there was a real business opportunity in becoming London's first messenger/courier service, I asked my brother Alfred to join me as partner. I bought out Al's interest in 1985, but I'm still here.

I could write a book about our experiences at Helix Courier. Maybe I will someday. We have had adventures aplenty over the years, enough to fill many seasons of a TV series based on our company. I even have a pitch ready. If you are a TV producer and want to talk, contact me. Think along the lines of an ensemble cast playing constant characters (management, operations, and drivers) at the company, with guest stars every week helping to tell the story of what happens between the time that a delivery order is called in and the document or parcel actually arrives at its destination. What was in the parcel? What news, good or bad, was relayed in the document? Think of the best and worst circumstances that might arise -- we've experienced them all.

I have never regretted dropping out of school to operate a courier company. It has been very good to me. I have an excellent staff and crew of drivers to whom I am eternally grateful. Because of them, I have the time to do other things like develop property in Panama and engage in other projects that attract my interest.

It has been a wild ride. I'm looking forward to the next 40 years.