When a traditional nine-to-five job wasn’t as fulfilling as Evan Moores thought it would be, he took a leap into the world of entrepreneurship.  

“I couldn’t see myself doing that for 30 years until I retire,” he said of his job as an educational assistant. 

The 33-year-old started his Restigouche-based business, Everything & Moores Contracting in July 2023, which focuses on warehouse and business inventorying and other general services like lawn care, snow removal and home maintenance. 

“I just spur-of-the-moment took the leap of faith and decided to go for it and not let a fear of failure hold me back anymore,” he said.  

The business allows Evan to be a jack-of-all-trades.  

“I’m just trying to offer generally anything that can help, especially the elderly to keep them in their homes.” 

Evan’s interest in entrepreneurship started as a child, doing odd jobs like mowing neighbourhood lawns to make a few dollars to buy slushies at the local Subway.   

He recalls the day he noticed an elderly neighbour struggling to clear their carport after paying someone for snow removal. That, coupled with seeing his own grandfather have difficulty staying on top of routine household maintenance as he aged, fuelled Evan’s passion for helping seniors.  

“It really opened up a soft spot for me for the elderly,” he said. 

The inventory side of the business came about after Evan found satisfaction in completing hands-on jobs stocking and organizing displays and tackling a large warehouse inventory project.  

“It was just a really rewarding job to go in and something is a total disaster, and you go in and organize it and put it back perfect.” 

With entrepreneurship always at the back of his mind, Evan slowly purchased the equipment needed to complete general labour jobs while working on the railroad in hopes of someday starting his own business.  

 “Last year when I did decide to start, I had the ground layer – the vehicle was paid and ready, I had trailers, I bought weed whackers, I had the lawn mower, snowblowers, and everything a person would need to start a company like this.”  

He found the support he needed to get the business up and running with the Self-Employment Benefit Program offered through CBDC Restigouche. 

“If it wasn’t for the Self-Employment Benefit Program, I would have been really stressed and scared.” 

He also received help with business accounting from the CBDC.  

“It’s a really big relief because that's the scariest part of the business, I find, to get everything proper for taxes.” 

Evan was no stranger to the CBDC and had used the organization’s services prior to starting the business for career counselling and to gain unemployment benefits while attending college.  

Though he moved away from his field of study, Evan said the schooling gave him skills he’s able to use to help others as a business owner.  

Given his positive experience with CBDC Restigouche, Evan has suggested his friends with business ideas contact the organization for guidance.  

“I’ve told them it’s very easy, they’re very approachable,” he said. “You just go in and they help you with everything.”  

As for the future of his business, Evan hopes to be the top inventory business in his area and continue to be an affordable one-stop-shop for anyone who needs general maintenance services.  

“I couldn’t see myself being here where I am today without (the SEB program),” he said.  

“I’m just very fortunate to have had the CBDC’s help.”