Founded by owner Ryan Doehle back when he was a student at Fernie Secondary School, Isosceles has been meeting the technology needs of the Elk Valley since 1996.
“I started Isosceles actually during high school and then did it full time when I graduated,” said Ryan. “I didn’t want to live in the city and I wanted to do computer stuff. I wanted to work for myself instead of
working somewhere else, so that was the drive to stay in a small town.”
Over the years, Isosceles has managed to grow from a one-man operation to a regional IT service provider with several full time staff members. From web design and hosting, to security camera systems and backup services, Isosceles is more than just a computer store.
“We’ve been going for growth, you have to expand beyond just selling and fixing computers,” commented Ryan. “You have to wire the big buildings, you have to put wireless in them, you have to do the cameras, the automation. You have to expand into other areas of technology to keep growing,
because computers are getting much simpler.”
With the help of Ryan’s wife and co-owner Laurel, Isosceles is doing its best to give back to the community IT services. “We’re part of the town, we take pride in our town,” remarked Laurel. “I think on every level I try to be a part of something, like skating, hockey, kid’s schooling. Anything that I can help out, that’s my goal, because we are part of the community.”
Ryan added, “In a small town it’s nice because you know everyone, I like knowing everyone, but you definitely have to be very service oriented.”
The couple is also working to keep the business all in the family. “Our kids are involved, they just finished doing a radio ad, and they have little business cards that say ‘owner’ on them,” said Ryan. “One of the guys we work with in communications is my father, and some of our employees were high school friends, so we’re definitely family and community oriented. It’s a priority for us.”
With Fernie beginning to fill up as ski season approaches, Ryan and Laurel are now gearing up for their own busy season. “Basically when all the hotels fill up in the winter, when we hit busy, resort town status, we’re busy helping out with all their needs for computers, wireless, and cameras,” Laurel explained.
For more information on Isosceles and its services, visit www.isosceles.ca.