Some business owners plan their path from the start. For others, opportunity finds them when life takes an unexpected turn. That’s exactly how Curtis Breslaw, co-owner of All Canadian Renovations (ACR), found himself stepping into the world of home renovations — a world he now calls home.
What began as a career detour after the 2010 recession has become a story of resilience, partnership, and a genuine love for helping people transform the spaces they live in.
A Recession, a Rink, and a New Beginning
In 2010, Curtis was working for a large U.S.-based global conglomerate — an entirely different industry from the one he’s in today. When the recession hit, his department was downsized. “I didn’t want to keep going in that line of work,” he recalls. “I was exhausted with it.”
When his job ended, he reached out to a few of his recreational hockey teammates to see if they knew of any opportunities. One of them, who happened to own a renovation company, asked if he could swing a hammer.
“I told him, ‘Well, I know how, but I’m not very good at it,’” Curtis laughs. “‘He asked what I actually did, and I told him I was in sales. He said, ‘Perfect — I desperately need a salesperson.’”
Construction wasn’t entirely foreign to Curtis. His grandfather had been involved in real estate development as far back as the 1930s, working on projects across rural Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Alberta. “So in a way,” he says, “building was always kind of in my blood.”
Learning the Ropes
The company owner took Curtis under his wing, teaching him the business from the ground up. Within months, he was managing clients and projects on his own. About a year later, his mentor surprised him with a proposition: “I’m going to sell you the business one day.”
Curtis didn’t take it seriously at first, but five years later, the owners called him in and said the time had come. “I told them I didn’t think I could do it,” he recalls. “But they said, ‘We’ll give you six months to find a partner. If you can, we’ll sell it to you.’”
He started reaching out to potential partners — but none felt right. Then, an unexpected phone call changed everything.
The Lunch That Changed Everything
A few months later, Werner Peters, a local businessman who co-owned a window and door manufacturing plant, invited Curtis to lunch. Curtis and Werner were colleagues, as Curtis was a customer of Werner’s – purchasing doors and windows from him for many years. Werner had been in construction since 1983 and had experience in nearly every part of the industry — from concrete and trusses to renovations, windows and doors, and was also in the building materials supply chain.
“He told me he was looking to make a change,” Curtis recalls. “He said he’d hit a ceiling and wanted to get back into renovations.”
Curtis hesitated. “I told him, honestly, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come on as a salesperson — that’s what I do. But if you really want in… we could buy the company together,” he joked.
Werner’s eyes lit up. “He said, ‘Wait, it’s for sale?’ And I told him, yeah, it’s for sale to me — if I find a business partner, I can make it happen.”
What began as a casual lunch turned into an all-day planning session. “We started sketching ideas on napkins,” Curtis says. “When the sushi restaurant closed between lunch and dinner, we stayed. We called our wives to say we wouldn’t be home for dinner — and just kept going.”
By January 2016, Werner officially came aboard. On March 1, 2016, they purchased the company — and All Canadian Renovations entered a new chapter.
Building a Company on Trust and Integrity
Under Curtis and Werner’s leadership, ACR has grown steadily — not just in size, but in reputation. Their philosophy is simple: treat every home like it’s your own, and every client like family.
They’ve taken on projects big and small — from painting bedrooms to full-scale home remodels — and approach each with the same care. “We’ve had clients come home after a small paint job saying, ‘It’s even nicer than I imagined,’” Curtis says. “You can’t beat that smile.”
Not every job is glamorous, though. Some of the most meaningful work happens behind the walls — fixing leaks, reinforcing structures, or improving insulation. “Those are the jobs no one sees,” he says. “But when a client calls during a downpour to say their basement stayed dry, or that their chimney was no longer leaking — that’s just as rewarding.”
The Human Side of Renovation
For Curtis, renovation is as much about people as it is about construction. “Homeowners will often say, ‘Don’t mind the mess,’ or, ‘I’m embarrassed about my bathroom,’” he says. “And I always tell them, ‘Don’t worry — that’s what makes for a great ‘before’ picture!’”
Honesty is a cornerstone of their work. When unexpected issues arise, Curtis and his team are upfront about what needs to be done. “It’s never fun to deliver bad news, but it’s the right thing to do,” he says. “Clients appreciate that honesty. They’ll say, ‘I’m glad you found it now — if you hadn’t, it could’ve been disastrous later.’ That’s what makes it worth it.”
Helping Clients Make Smart Decisions
One of the things that sets ACR apart is their client-first approach — even if that means advising against a project.
“I’ve had people call and say, ‘I just bought this house six months ago, and it’s too small. Can you build me an addition?’ Curtis explains. “Most contractors would jump at that. But I’ll ask, ‘Why not just find a bigger house?’ Because it’s going to cost you more per square foot to build, plus months of chaos.”
That practical mindset is what earns ACR its reputation for integrity. “If it’s not the right investment, I’ll say so,” he adds. “But if it’s their forever home — maybe it’s paid off or full of memories — then it’s absolutely worth doing right.”
Innovation With a Purpose
Curtis gets most excited about innovations that improve quality and efficiency. “There’s always cool new tech — smart homes, automation — but what excites me is anything that makes building better.”
Recently, ACR began using a new waterproof substrate behind tile in showers and tubs. “It lets us start applying tile much sooner, it saves us time, reduces the risk of water penetration, and delivers better results.”
He’s also a fan of multi-point locking systems on exterior doors — a subtle but smart upgrade. “Instead of one deadbolt, there are multiple locking points,” he explains. “It’s more secure and can help to keep doors square and plumb as houses shift — especially with our clay soil and changing climate.”
These details, though small, reflect ACR’s “do it right the first time” philosophy. “It might cost a bit more, but it saves homeowners frustration and gives us pride in our work.”
A Story Still Being Written
Looking back, Curtis never could have predicted his path — from corporate downsizing to co-owning a respected renovation company. “It’s funny how life works,” he says. “If that one hockey teammate hadn’t called me back, I wouldn’t be here.”
What started as a career change became a calling — built on learning, partnership, and trust. “We’ve come a long way since 2016,” he reflects. “But what hasn’t changed is why we do it — to help people love their homes again.”
Whether it’s a small paint job or a full renovation, Curtis Breslaw and Werner Peters, along with their talented team approach every project with the same passion: building spaces that feel as good as they look — and relationships that last long after the work is done.