Holiday Reflections from Members and Friends, Part III

By Andy Kriege, YSN

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” — Melody Beattie

In the spirit of the season, YourSourceNews reached out to members, vendors and affiliated dealers to learn what the holidays means most to them in this most extraordinary year. In this last of a three-part series, a recurring theme is how the challenges of 2020 made us more grateful than ever for the blessings in our lives.


The extended Williams family includes six grandkids (three pictured here). Said Malcolm: “The good-looking man in front of the tree with baseball cap is me!”

“This year has made me appreciate life, family and friends more than ever. We all have so much to be thankful for. As I get older, the Christmas season is even more special. I thank God every day for my many blessings. Merry Christmas to all!” Malcolm Williams, Greenville Appliance & Mattress, Greenville, N.C.


The many faces of Mike Baron

“This year has required our team to micro-focus on the processes and priorities that make our company stronger, and that ensure the success of our work family and our clients. As a result, we are better, more resilient, and more capable of successfully developing new opportunities. I am so grateful to be in the business we’re in, and we are so fortunate that our business processes have aligned well with customer needs during the inventory crisis of 2020.  Wishing everyone the very best for health, safety and opportunity in the coming new year!” Mike Baron, owner, Baron’s Major Brands, Salem, N.H., and president of Reliable Softworks


Geoff and Monica from Kanto hope everyone can spend some special time with their families this holiday season.

“Here at Kanto, we are so grateful for our partnership with AVB and wish all members a new year full of health, love, and prosperity! Kudos to all the members for thriving during this past challenging year. We are also so thankful for our families and friends who, through it all, have been there for us — especially our spouses and children, who have worked so hard adjusting to drastic changes in our workplaces and our schools.” — Geoff Ireland and Monica Cortes, Kanto Living


Bill Canham with son John and daughter Carli

“2020 can be defined in one word: unbelievable. I say this to my kids all the time.  But ‘unbelievable’ could be defined as incredibly amazing or horribly bad. It’s all about perspective. If you could see the pluses in 2020, imagine how unbelievable 2021 will be! That is my perspective.”  Bill Canham, owner, Canham Maytag, Norfolk, Neb.


As we head into the new year with a tumultuous one in our rearview mirror, it is important for us all to reflect on the many things in our lives to be grateful for. When we reflect back let’s try to abide by the beautiful words expressed in the poster up top: Focus on what is important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives, and if things don’t work out … just take another shot!

BrandSource, a unit of YSN publisher AVB Inc., is a nationwide buying group for independent appliance, home furnishings and CE dealers.

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