Frank Flaman ~ Great Aspirations, Big Dreams & A Life Well Lived
A Glimpse Into the Life of Frank Flaman; humble beginnings in business, his family and more.
Humble Beginnings
In 1959, Frank Flaman purchased a brand new baler and swather shortly after settling on the family farm near Southey, Saskatchewan with his wife Bernice. To make the most of his investment, he began contracting out his equipment and services to other local-area farmers. This was Frank's first entrepreneurial venture, setting the stage for many, many, more to come. Later that same year, Frank made another purchase; ten grain bins. He only needed four but the larger order allowed him to qualify for dealer pricing. He promptly sold the other six for a tidy profit and rolled that amount into another bulk order. The Flaman company was off and running. ​
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History, Growth & A Simple Philosophy of Success
Throughout the 1960's and early 70's, Flaman steadily grew through Frank's hard work, dedication and frugal business mind. He was the dreamer and visionary and his wife, Bernice, ran the office while managing their ten children with the help of Mrs. Krause, who nannied the younger children. At this time, Frank's sons began working in the business and life on the farm was busy, to say the least. There was never a dull moment when Frank was around and Frank was never, ever, idle.
Back to business; Frank's philosophy of success was simple; Buy in bulk to ensure reasonable pricing, provide a good quality product and give great customer service, treating people with the utmost of respect. Frank's desire to help people was matched with his enthusiasm for making a sale. Once, he even took grain on trade as payment from customers for grain bins and equipment - grain he would then use in the cattle feedlot he started. Frank had a gift of seeing future trends in the marketplace, often long before competitors, and adapted his products and services to meet them. He also had a gift of surrounding himself with the right people. At this time, it was his sons. In future years, it was his growing team of staff, who really became part of his larger family.​
Frank with his siblings
& parents
Frank was the seventh child in a family of 8 children. He was the youngest boy and dearly loved by his siblings. Frank grew up on the family farm and then raised his own family in the same farmhouse that he grew up in.
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Frank is in front shading his eyes from the sun.
Frank with his own children on the same family farm
Frank and Bernice had ten children together. Pictured here are eight of them in the living room on the farm. The farmhouse was a busy, chaotic place with kids everywhere and customers coming and going all the time. Dinner time often included the family, customers and farmhands all eating together.
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Frank pioneered natural grain aeration in Saskatchewan and was an early provider of aeration fans to farmers.
Frank's first customer, Bill Street of Stony Beach, SK, with the first bin Frank ever sold.
The 1980's, 90's and beyond - A time of expansion and diversification!
Frank was a visionary and early adopter of innovation and ideas. He was also keenly interested helping people, providing solutions to customer problems, and he was very, very interested in doing things differently. With all of this in mind, along with Frank's innate curiosity and eccentric nature, many of the company's products and services surfaced - from natural aeration grain dryers, tires and carpets in the 80's and 90's, to fitness equipment and trailers in the early 2000's followed by health & mobility devices in the 2010 era and even drones in 2020's.
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Frank was happiest piloting his own plane, flying over the Prairies, landing in farmers' fields to visit customers and friends. He often took staff on his adventures and they quickly learned to pack an overnight bag because you never really knew when you would be back. Frank loved flying and found a way to blend his personal passion for aviation with his passion for business and his customers.
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Frank moved to Alberta in 1980, leaving his sons to take over operations of the business in Saskatchewan. Frank and Bernice parted ways in years prior and he was compelled to grow the business further. Upon moving to Alberta, Frank expanded the business considerably and started the rental division with the help of Rocky Amson, where farmers could rent equipment they needed, instead of buying it. This was another example of Frank's unique talent to find solutions for his customers' needs and create a solid business opportunity at the same time. Rocky Amson would become a very special person in Frank's life, working alongside him for over 30 years. As the years passed, Frank knew that Rocky was the person to lead the company as he got older and stepped back from day-to-day leadership.
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When Frank moved to Alberta in 1980, he met Ruby. They spent almost 40 years together with Ruby doting over Frank and caring generously for him.
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Frank was surrounded by people that loved him, supported him and cared deeply for him. Decades passed and Frank spent much of his time coming to work, even into his 80's, making life very interesting for his staff. Frank loved to play harmless pranks and had a mischievous sense of humour.
Frank would often be found playing harmless pranks on the staff or chatting with customers, inviting them to sit with him in the massage chairs located in the main floor of the Nisku showroom, talking for hours, sharing stories and time together.
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Frank was always a dreamer, a lofty thinker and lover of spontaneity and adventure. He was frugal, passionate about health, loved travelling the world and doing things his own way. It's clear that he bestowed many of these traits and interests on his children, grand-children and great-grand-children.
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The Flaman Foundation was started in 2005 with the majority of the company profits going to the Foundation to support those in need, locally and around the world.
In his later years, Frank loved going on humanitarian excursions with the Flaman Foundation. These excursions provided an opportunity for staff to really grasp why they worked for the company they did and see where the company profits were going. Over the years, with company funds, staff embarked on these excursions, with Frank as their guide, to countries including Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru. Frank absolutely loved these excursions and thrived on the many moments and experiences shared by the groups. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Frank & Bill Street at the 40 Year Anniversary of Flaman
Frank & Bernice with their children Frank with his family Frank and Ruby
Frank & Rocky Frank speaking at the celebration of 50 years in business Frank with his family
Today & The Future:
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In 2018, Frank Flaman Sales Ltd was gifted to the Frank Flaman Foundation. This generosity of Frank will enable and ensure that the Flaman Foundation and legacy started by Frank, himself, will live on for years to come, as profits from the company go to worthy charities serving children and families in need, locally in our own communities, primarily.
In Alberta and British Columbia, the Flaman Group of Companies operates 11 fully owned retail superstores, 40 fitness stores and employs 500 people along with over 2000 in the franchise operations. Over 100 Flaman Rental Dealerships expand the company’s reach even further. Despite its growth, Flaman is still guided by the same principles on which the company was founded: sell at reasonable prices, conduct business fairly and responsibly, and above all, treat the customer with unwavering friendliness and respect.
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The Saskatchewan Flaman Group of Companies, owned and operated by Frank's 3 sons, Rudy, Don and Steve Flaman, works hand-in-hand with the Alberta based company. Rudy, Don and Steve have created a legacy of their own, serving their customers with the same unwavering respect, living and leading with a solid work ethic and lofty vision, and providing opportunities for their children, Frank's grand-children to carve their own way as well. The company that Frank started over 65 years ago now has 3 generations involved, with his grand-children now running many of the operations in Saskatchewan. The younger generation exemplifies the same eccentric nature and remarkable spirit of their grand-father. Now having children of their own, it's clear that kind-heartedness, generosity, that mischievous sense of humour and 'anything is possible' attitude that began with Frank and Bernice lives on and lives well throughout the generations.
Even though Frank is no longer with us, his influence remains, as successors appear gifted with the same sense of seeing future trends before the masses. The company now has a drone division, serving farmers with drones that can assist with seeding and planting practices, cattle location and land assessments. Other developments and expansion exist in virtually every part of the company and the third generation of Flaman’s even started a company podcast, which is sure to garner a few chuckles while listening, along with providing some great insights and information. Find the podcast here.
Yes, much like life, change is the only constant and that statement rings true within the company as well, but at the same time, so much has stayed the same. The entire Flaman Group of Companies is committed to growing and continuing the legacy of Frank Flaman and in following the recipe for success that Frank developed - treat your staff, customers and business partners well, do your best every day, find a way to help others and get a good sleep at night, knowing that the sun will rise again tomorrow, offering another fresh opportunity to make a difference in the world.
Frank and Ruby
Frank and Ruby
Photo of Rocky and Dad with cake celebrating ??
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Don and Rudy in the early 1980's The family farm still operates as SK's flagship location Frank and Bernice with Don, Rudy & Steve
Frank in Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala. He was most at home and comfortable on the humanitarian excursions, making friends wherever he went, embracing every moment and experience, often playing a few practical jokes and garnering laughs on a daily basis. Frank's kind-hearted nature is still sorely missed but his generous spirit along with his enthusiasm to make a difference in the lives of others lives on through his family of staff and offspring alike.