The genesis of Roxham, Inc.

A lot of people have asked about my company name and logo… I thought this would be the ideal inaugural blog entry.

The term “Roxham” refers to my family’s heritage that extends back generations in a tiny rural hamlet referred to as Roxham, or more commonly known as Roxham Road.  Roxham Road can be found in the Chateauguay Valley south of Montreal adjacent to the village of Hemmingford, Quebec and right on the border with New York State.  My Mother’s family – the Wallace Family, continue to operate successful livestock and crop farming operations in the area.  The Chateauguay Valley is renowned for is highly productive agricultural land and beautiful farms, including the production of award-winning maple syrup products and its growing prominence as one of Canada’s leading apple growing and processing regions.

While Roxham remained a peaceful, rural country road for generations, it has been shaped by the arrival of one southern Quebec’s leading tourist attractions in 1972 – Parc Safari, as well as its recent elevated international prominence as Canada’s leading illegal entry point for individuals and families seeking asylum or refugee status in Canada.

Of even greater personal influence was growing up in a small family business on Roxham Road that truly shaped my values and etched a lifelong respect for the critical importance of immigration and entrepreneurship in contributing to the diversity, economic viability and sustainability of our communities and country.

My parents Leif and Norma Jacobsen first opened the doors of their family business, Little Denmark Flower Shop and Greenhouses, in 1961.  While raising their two sons, they built a successful small business and become highly involved and respected members of their community – serving retail and wholesale customers in southern Quebec and Upstate New York and Vermont.

The business name—Little Denmark—refers to my father’s proud heritage.  He immigrated to Canada at eighteen years old from Denmark with $50 in his pocket.  He met my mother in Canada, who grew up on Roxham Road and had completed a business program at Sir George Williams College in Montreal.  A hallmark of their business which operated for over 57 years was their logo, a replica Viking helmet.  The same helmet has been included in my brother’s small business and is now proudly incorporated in the Roxham Advisory and Consulting Services, Inc. logo.

My parents were highly respected for their honesty, incredible work ethic, the quality of their products, as well as their unwavering dedication to their customers and the principle of delivering superior customer service.  These same characteristics are reflected in my personal commitment to Roxham, Inc.’s growing client base.  Thank you, merci, tak…  I am proud to extend appreciation in English, French and Danish.

While my father passed away in late 2019, his legacy and story live on at The Danish – Canadian Museum just outside Red Deer, Alberta, where he has been recognized by the Danish Canadian Society of Montreal (Dansk Canadisk Samfund – Montreal) for his lifelong contributions to Canada as a Danish immigrant.

My Mother now spends part of the year with my brother in Hemmingford, Quebec, and part of the year here in New Brunswick, seen here enjoying the beauty of the Fundy Trail with my wife Christine and daughter Bridget.  I am blessed with three extraordinary women who continue to positively influence my life.