A Morden business owner was recently honoured as the Province's Entrepreneur of the Year.

Blayne Wyton, Founder of Prairie Barnwood was chosen by the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce for his entrepreneurial spirit.

Since 2008, Prairie Barnwood has continued to make a name for itself, repurposing the ageing wood structures lingering across the countryside, turning the raw material into furniture and decor with history and character. The appeal has caused rapid growth for the Morden-based company.

"A few things went right with us and it just worked," he says, adding factors like good employees, suppliers and customers collectively were key.

Most pieces include knots, burrs and nail holes that tell the story and history of the years and seasons throughout the wood.

As someone bringing a new idea to market, Wyton says an entrepreneur can't be afraid to go from a boardroom meeting to sanding in the shop.

"You'll never hear an entrepreneur say, "that's not my job.'"

Entrepreneur role models include Southland Honda's Greg Ens in Winkler who told him, "go make a friend, not a sale."

"I think that's impacted me a lot," he says.

Prairie Barnwood dismantles old barns, wood structures and old homesteads across the Pembina Valley