Like many entrepreneurs, he believes that without risk, there can be no reward. So, it was five years ago, when he and partner Rob Cook started up A & A Technical Services on nothing more than a hunch that their specialized services would be in great demand one day.

"I had an idea of what the demand might be like, after all the field work I did for other companies in the same field," the youthful looking Harman says.

"Right after high school, I got a job working for some geotechnical consultants, and learned a lot about the industry through on-the-job training. I had the opportunity to be exposed to different spectrums of the field."

It was after several years of providing consultants and analysts with field results that Harman realized the industry, particularly in Northern Canada, had room for growth. He began cultivating his own dreams of owning a business.

"I think it was the uniqueness of the North that first got me thinking about starting up a company like this." he says, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"The company I worked for had a high degree of success in the field, but I felt that with my experience, I could make a go of it."

So, in January, 1995, Harman set up his company, naming it after his first two children, Al Jr. and Amelia. He recalls the early years as lean, but highly educational. Not only did the new company have to establish a presence in a fairly competitive and tight-knit industry, but it also had to contend with the usual growing pains. That meant living paycheque to paycheque, constantly investing available funds into the company, and hoping the business somehow survived past the next month.

The company provides resource-based corporations like BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. and Diavik Diamonds Inc. a variety of specialized services, including installation of geomembranes, which protect the environment from unwanted waste products in storage ponds. It was during the formative years, they demonstrated their expertise in the field by installing Processed Kimberlite Containers (PKC) in extreme weather conditions for the diamond field giants. A fact that causes Harman to smile.

"Everyone down south said this process couldnt be done at temperatures lower than minus 20," he chuckles.

"But were the only company in the North that has been able to install liners year-round successfully. We proved it by doing it in minus 50 weather."

It was this accomplishment that caused everyone to take notice of the little company. Attention that paved the way to larger contracts and greater opportunities. Harman says that while the company could take some comfort in their initial success, it wasnt until they landed a huge contract with the Diavik Diamond Mine that their future was secured.

"Even though we had some success early on, it was touch-and-go for awhile," he admits, adding that part of his success was attributable to the attitude of everyone who works for the company never to take No for an answer.

"We have a lot of loyal and committed employees who seem to share the same vision we have about the future of the company," he says.

"They all work with the same objective in mind."

Als wife looks on approvingly. Bertha has been a mainstay in the company ever since leaving Psychiatric Nursing two years ago. Now, a part-time Nursing Instructor at Aurora College, Bertha has become a vital part of the A & A team, assuming the Human Resources and Adminstrator position with the same energy she committed to the medical field.

"Al has always had good ideas. Hes always been good at analyzing risks." she says, smiling.

"I think one of the biggest selling points I saw in the early years was his belief in what he was doing. He knew what he wanted to do, and how to do it so that it ended up being a success."

Al chimes in.

"Basically, for the first five years, it was just me doing all the work. That was a lot of work for one person. Now, all of a sudden, weve got 35 employees, and were all kept very busy. Its exciting. Its almost like skydiving for the first time."

Bertha says the company has grown expotentially, now boasting a payroll of $1.4 million per year. In fact, so successful are they, that they can now afford to provide their employees production incentives, and safety awards that are becoming the envy of other companies. As well, the company can now pass on potentially lucrative contracts once in awhile, in order to concentrate on their specialty of installing geomembranes.

"Theres enough work for all of us," says Al.

The future for the company continues to look very promising, as it prepares to bid for potential contracts in an ever expanding Northern resource sector. Al hints current contracts will continue to provide the company a solid financial foundation in the short-term, while they look to resource projects like Hope Bay Gold, Izok Lake, Snap Lake and quite possibly, the MacKenzie Valley Pipeline, to pad their long-term ambitions.

"I think weve proven ourselves to be industrious and innovative," he says.

"We changed the industry. All these future projects have to be built in extreme weather conditions, and were proving it can be done, with a little creativity and a lot of determination."

For new entrepreneurs, the Harmans are unwavering and very enthusiastic about providing advice.

"Dont take anything for granted," suggests Bertha, quick to add that while being appreciative of what is given, people should never be afraid to take the occasional risk.

"If you dont take risks, then you cant fulfill your dreams."

Al simply nods in agreement, a smile running away on his face. For him, owning a company with a bright future is reason enough to believe he was right about his hunches in the first place.