Quality Tools

In the late ‘90s, Don Hillman faced a career crisis. His career at Canadian Tire meant a move away from Calgary. His life as a single dad with a toddler made that unthinkable. So, in 1999, Don teamed up with his own father, Earl Hillman, and started Quality Tools in Forest Lawn.

Don grew up in the neighbourhood and graduated from Forest Lawn High School in 1985. He took a job at Canadian Tire while going to university, and spent 15 years as a manager with the chain.  Leaving the comfort of a corporate environment to strike out on his own was scary but worthwhile. “It allowed me the freedom to never miss a school field trip and never miss anything in my son’s life, and it was good,” says Don.

Within a year, Don had enticed a fellow Canadian Tire manager to come aboard at Quality Tools. Roy McMillan was a perfect fit – a real tools guy. “Tools are my passion,” he says. “When I am not selling them, I’m using them.”