Gord and Roxanna Rauch opened Gordo’s Rent-All in Williams Lake almost 35 years ago.
Growing up, Gord had lived in Williams Lake so he knew the area. Roxanna was from Hazelton. They made the decision to follow Gord’s parents, who had moved back to the lake city.
After working for his dad low-bedding, Gord and Roxanna decided they wanted to open a business of their own. They bought some assets in November 1989 and by December that same year, “Gordo’s Rent-All” was established.
They soon realized, while only offering rental equipment primarily used during summer months, they needed something for the winter months in Williams Lake when contractors were slowing down.
As Gord was an avid snowmobiler, they decided to pursue a second business with some partners and opened the “Sled Shed.”
“People will remember when Arctic Cat came back to town. It was a big deal for Williams Lake,” Roxanna said.
Eventually they took sole ownership of the Sled Shed and merged it with their other business and put it all under one umbrella of Gordo’s Rent-All.
Snowmobiling with the Williams Lake Powder Kings became a big part of their lives.
“We definitely rode lots as couples and then as a family we would pull the little caboose behind with the kids in the back,” Roxanna said.
Their children, Goel and Hailee, grew up enjoying many outings with the Powder Kings.
Today, the Rauch siblings work side-by-side behind the counter at Gordo’s.
Goel, along with his partner Dominique, are working towards taking over the business. Goel didn’t work at Gordo’s growing up but worked away for a while instead.
He decided four years ago to make the move back to his hometown of Williams Lake. Hailee worked at Gordo’s for five years before staying home to have her first child.
You will find her behind the counter today as she returned a couple of years later. You may even get a sales pitch from her son, Bentley.
Over the years, the business grew its fleet of excavators and skid steers and all the attachments.
Gord and Roxanna moved away from smaller equipment rentals because they found most people were purchasing them for themselves.
“We have had the same technician doing small engine repair for 27 years and we have recently hired another one,” Roxanna said.
Married 40 years, Roxanna said they have “very much” enjoyed living and owning a business in Williams Lake.
“We were young and had no experience when we started out,” she explained. “I was basically coming out of high school and Gord owned a logging truck.”
Looking back, she said it is so important for people to follow their passions in life.
“When you are in business there are ups and downs and uncertainties, but when you are following your heart it’s OK,” she said. “It has become more than a job, certainly. We are thankful that it has served us well. It allowed us to have a family and we appreciate that and it has given us friends that have become family and we are part of the community.”
Roxanna said they aren’t leaving the business totally at this point, but are stepping back and watching the “kids do well.”
They are also enjoying more time for themselves. But Owning the business all these years has kept the family together and grounded though. “We still camp together and hang out together,” she said.
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