A Story about Michael H. Palay

Thanks for visiting my website. Some of you know me but for those that got here by accident let me tell you a little about what makes me tick.

1. My Work

I won’t bore you with my childhood or teenage years so let’s fast forward to my graduation from the University of Winnipeg where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Sociology. While most of my friends took a year to travel after graduation, I immediately joined the work force. My career started as a Senior Correspondent at Investors Syndicate, when the company was located in that ratty old building on Broadway. However as a recent grad I loved the location and realized very quickly how and why the street had its name! My second role with Investors was setting up a National “Hot Line” for the regional managers and it was then that I knew I wanted to move into a sales role.

After 6 years with Investors I was talked into joining my Dad’s business, M&M Warehouse and Distribution. I figured if he used my name for one of the initials the least I could do was join the company. Very quickly I realized that I needed an audience so I created my own company called MHP Brokers. This was a sales agency that catered to the foodservice industry in Winnipeg. One of the most successful products that I brought into Manitoba was “the Original New York Seltzer” (ONYS). Yes it was me in the bottle costume at all of the Winnipeg Jets hockey games!

As ONYS was beginning to lose its fizz, Blackwoods Beverages (the local bottler of Pepsi/7-Up) came knocking at my door. Blackwoods was eventually sold to Pepsi of Canada. It was the training that I received at Blackwoods Beverages that enabled me to become successful in the sales and marketing industries. And it was Pepsi that taught me that the person who touched the client was the most important person in the organization. They called this the “RIGHT SIDE UP” philosophy, where you turn the company upside down to make it right side up! My last role with Pepsi was as the National Trade Development Manager which involved creating programs and selling them to the national retail grocery chains. After 7 years I again heard a knock on my door.

This time it was the Canada Post Corporation and again I stayed 7 years, with my last role as Director of Sales and Marketing for Alberta North.

After another 7 year stint with Big Freight Systems I decided to leave the corporate world and hang up my Vice President of Sales and Marketing role. A very close friend of mine suggested that I try the automotive industry. I laughed this off as I did not own a plaid blazer or white patent leather shoes!

But then I was introduced to the Birchwood Automotive Group and the stereotype that was in my head immediately disappeared. The last 3½ years have been a blast and the most fun I’ve had in my entire career. I love selling cars but it is the interaction with people that keeps me going. Also, being the top producer at Birchwood Pontiac Buick GMC for the last three years doesn’t hurt!

Year 1 - Top Producer Birchwood Pontiac Buick GMC
Year 1 - #3 Top Producer in the Birchwood Auto Group

Year 2 - Top Producer Birchwood Pontiac Buick GMC
Year 2 - #3 Top Producer in the Birchwood Auto Group

Year 3 - Top Producer Birchwood Pontiac Buick GMC
Year 3 - #3 Top Producer in the Birchwood Auto Group

2. My Kids

Now I want to focus on 3 very important people that have made my life worth living, my first-born Joshua (17), my middle child Zachary (14), and my little girl Samantha (11).

 Josh is brilliant academically and a responsible, good-looking guy. He loves to work out and hang out with friends playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band. He currently works at Earl’s in food-prep but he loves to spend his summer at camp.

 

Zach is happiest when he’s in front of the X-Box 360 but he’s started to wean himself off somewhat by watching educational programs on TV like “Weaponology”.

He can quote movie lines and does great impressions. His biggest challenge is getting some fat on his bony body.

Sami is a ham and loves to be the centre of attention. She’s your typical “High School Musical” fan going on thirty.

She always needs to be busy, whether it’s with her hands, her eyes, or her mouth……which

doesn’t stop moving from morning to night.

3. My Wife

In January, 2006 I met Elana and in September, 2007 we married in a big, beautiful fairy-tale wedding. Elana is the perfect Ying to my Yang. I am forgetful, abstract; well basically I’m 50 going on 25! Elana has brought stability to my life.  She is kind, forgiving, and a planner. She has taught me to walk the talk as she sees things in black and white. If you say you are going to do something, then you do it.  “Shooting from the hip” is NOT in her vocabulary. This is where her forgiving trait comes in handy!  Elana is my biggest supporter in all facets of my life. As I am, Elana is a workaholic in her management role at MTS, so she understands the long hours that are required servicing my many clients and cultivating new clients.

Three wonderful, challenging and entertaining kids, a beautiful loving wife, and a great career to keep me busy when I’m not with Elana and the kids. I would say that is a perfect scenario……a perfect life.