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Sub Way mission is drawing smiles

Sub Way's new owners want customers and employees to leave with a smile, and have a high standard of food quality.
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Sub Way employees assemble sandwiches. Houston Sub Way opened last Wednesday

Sub Way's new owners want customers and employees to leave with a smile.

"If you walk into my store and you're not smiling, I make it a mission to make you smile when you walk out," said co-owner Valarie Nowlin.

Marvin and Valarie Nowlin live in Fraser Lake and hired Alvin Senocbit to manage the Houston store.

Marvin and Valarie decided to buy Houston Sub Way in January.

"Marvin wanted it, and for financial reasons it was a smart move," Valarie said.

They also own Sub Ways in Fraser Lake and Fort St. James, as well as a car wash and detailing shop in Fraser Lake.

Valarie runs Valyns Visions by Design on the side, where she buys old furniture and re-makes and sells it.

Valarie says the key to successfully managing a business is "be true to yourself, treat the people who work for you with the utmost respect, and respect the people that come in the store."

"My thing with my workers is I want you to come in and enjoy your work," Valarie said.

"Have fun while you're at work."

At the same time, Valarie says she has high standards for quality food.

"My motto is if it's not good enough for me, it's not good enough for you," she said.

Finally, Valarie says she runs her businesses with a goal to pay it forward.

"It could be something as simple as holding the door open for somebody, or I might give a cookie away to somebody just because they are being nice in my store," she said.

"At the end of the day, you want to be able to lay your head on the pillow and like who you are."