ESTEVAN - Melanie Tribiger is the new owner of Sun Country Hearing, but she is far from new to the business.
Tribiger purchased the business, which has offices in Estevan and Moosomin, earlier this year from Jacquie Mvula after Mvula and her family moved to the U.S.
Tribiger is nearing her eighth anniversary with the business.
“I started one week after Jacquie Mvula opened the clinic. That was back in 2014,” said Tribiger. “I started as the receptionist, and then I have worked my way up.
“I’ve done every job on the way up. I worked as a technician, where I was doing hearing aid cleaning and repairs, and decided that I wanted to go to school to be able to offer hearing tests and hearing aid fittings.”
She enrolled in the hearing aid practitioner diploma program at MacEwen University in Edmonton, and she finished the program last year.
She decided to purchase the business because she has a passion for helping people while at the clinic.
“I’ve always gravitated to situations where I’m helping,” Tribiger said. “I’ve been a volunteer with numerous organizations, and working here in the hearing clinic, I’ve found that same satisfaction, that I was able to be helping people, and I think it’s so rewarding to help people hear and communicate better to improve their own quality of life.”
Mvula was a great person to learn from, too.
“I could not be where I am today without Jacquie’s mentorship,” said Tribiger. “Right from Day 1, she included me in the business, and she’s let me see what happens in order to make the business run, and that’s why I felt confident enough to take this next step.”
Sun Country offers hearing tests for those ages 18 and up; hearing aid sales, service and repairs; custom hearing protection and ear molds, and ear wax removal.
The location in Moosomin is a satellite office that is open once a week. It’s a pretty busy site, she said, but she has been able to balance the two so far. Sun Country’s Estevan clinic is open four days a week.
She has adopted the slogan Your Hometown Hearing Clinic. She was born and raised in Estevan and said she understands the struggle of having to seek services outside of her hometown, and that’s why she is proud to offer audiology services here in Estevan.
As for Moosomin, even though it isn’t where she’s from, she is happy to offer her services to those in that community and the surrounding area.
Tribiger stressed she wants to treat people the same way she wants her family treated.
“Regardless of how old someone is, they deserve kindness, care and compassion, and that’s something I hold important here in our clinic.”
The clients are the best part of her job, she said. Each day she gets to go to work and visit with people while building relationships.
It’s the story of her eight years at the company.
“I’ve never had satisfaction doing a job like I have here,” she said. “When you’re helping people in a way that is so meaningful to them, and it makes such an impact on their lives, you want to keep doing that.”
Owning the business has also been a rewarding experience, she said. She has had a learning curve being an entrepreneur, but her time at Sun Country and the different roles she has had helped her adjust.
“It was an opportunity that I welcomed. It’s been a whole new experience, but I’m enjoying it,” said Tribiger.
Sun Country Hearing has three employees in Estevan, including herself.
Even though the business has changed ownership, it’s business as usual for them, she said. The remaining staff members are the same, and they bring experience to the table.
“It’s still the same faces, staff and service that everyone’s been used to, and it will continue to be the same. But I am hoping to expand the business in the future.”
A grand re-opening celebration will take place Sept. 9.
