As a young entrepreneur, Patrick Parisé dove in headfirst by embracing his passions of cinematography, music and video games, and his efforts led to the success of the Spin-It Records that we know today. We talk a bit with Pat about his experiences, the history and development of the store as well as what could happen soon!
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Patrick Parisé. I was born in the Acadian Peninsula, but I have lived in Moncton for most of my life. I own Spin-It Records & Video.
How did you start working in this field?
I had my first job at Doctor Deals, where I worked from 13 to 19 years old. From the age of 16, I was a manager of a few stores, but I did not want to work in a pawn shop, so I started working in the Urban Sound Exchange record store on Main Street.
When did you decide to open Spin-It?
I started Spin-It in 2001 when I was 21 years old. At first, we were just a record store. During winters, we made no money. One day, I was waiting in line at Blockbuster when I thought, “I have 4000 movies at home, maybe I could rent them.” So, I decided to start renting my collection in the record shop’s office. It got so busy; people were waiting outside to rent the movies.
When this building was available, I approached Comic Hunter and Border Tech to ask if they would be interested in filling the other spaces of the building.
How is it having a business in downtown Moncton?
It’s very difficult to have an independent business operating in the downtown area, because there are not very many people who shop downtown. But we continue to change, to evolve.
I always thought that a record store should be downtown. It’s the heart of the city. Even though there are many people who do not want to shop downtown, I think it’s really important to support them. It is a place of development. All the cool stores are in the city center.
What is one of the biggest challenges you faced as a young entrepreneur?
Nobody took me seriously, nobody wanted to give me a chance.
What does Spin-It represent for the people of Moncton?
For many, it is a cultural milieu. People can come here to meet other people and discuss their passions. It’s a meeting place, a place of entertainment. I am successful because I treat others as I want to be treated. When I was young, I wanted to have a place where I could learn from others who knew more than me.
It’s also a place for families. It’s an experience, it’s unique. It smells like popcorn, you can take the box in your hands, look at the pictures, read the description, see if the film has won prizes, etc. It is important to have this library of films for the community, especially for young people.
I find what is not available in our community and I offer it. I know that if I’m interested, there will be others who will be too.
By having the largest collection of movies in Canada, Spin-It Records & Video is a store that plays a key role in the lives of many people in the area. To ensure the success of our various beautiful businesses in downtown Moncton, support them by visiting downtown stores and restaurants.
About the author :
Carmen LeBlanc is a local blogger here in Moncton, NB. She works as a content creator to help local businesses and brands to share their story and to make connections. Her blog Tiny Adventures Journey focuses on supporting local, minimalism, and sustainability. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram or subscribe to her blog by clicking here: www.tinyadventuresjourney.com
