Interview with Lise Bissonnette, Sales Advisor

Lise, how long have you worked in the doors and windows industry, and what first drew you to it?

I worked 18 years in horticulture, 2 years in a doors and windows factory, and 9 years with another doors and windows company. After that job, I was approached by two other companies in the industry, but I chose to apply at Isothermic because I truly believed in the quality of the products. There were three of us interviewed, and I was selected.

Despite your many years of experience, you joined Isothermic only a few months ago. What do you enjoy most about your job so far?

The respect—from my colleagues and from management. Everyone respects one another here. I had never experienced that before. I genuinely enjoy coming to work and feeling good at work.

I also love the quality of the products—I believe in them deeply. I would never work for a manufacturer I don’t believe in, out of respect for my own values. I don’t criticize other products, but I needed to have confidence to work at Isothermic. That’s what motivated my decision.

What values matter most to you in your work life?

The first things that come to mind are team spirit and respect. 

Respect is incredibly important to me. With my previous employers, we weren’t even allowed to use Teams. I arrive here and everyone communicates through Teams to make collaboration easier and more human. I thought, wow, they’re crazy!—and I was so happy 😊.

I really appreciate the respectful communication between store employees and head office. And positivity—I’m like that all the time. Even when something doesn’t work out, there’s always something positive in the negative.

How do you see the doors and windows industry evolving in the coming years, and what role do you think Isothermic will play?

Continuous development—always wanting to innovate with new, highquality products to meet customer demand. People want bigger, more efficient, and more durable solutions.

And that’s exactly what Mr. Aubert, Isothermic’s owner, does—he moves forward. He truly cares about building better homes. I completely align with that vision.

Which products or features do you recommend most often, and why?

Casement windows! They’re energy efficient. We also talk a lot about the new German-engineered hardware, which is contemporary and very popular with customers.

Oh—and the Thermica door threshold, exclusive to Isothermic. I had never seen that before. When we say “no more door sweeps,” customers say, “I’m buying!”

And of course, our national Isothermic Certified Installation Program, where installers trained by Isothermic must work consistently according to the latest standards—that doesn’t exist anywhere else.

Do you have a memorable story or customer experience you’d like to share?

The clients I work with most often are seniors or young couples.

There was a young farming couple—I opened the showroom on a Sunday around 9 a.m. because they have very little free time. They came with their four children and made their purchase. They probably bought mostly because of the personalized service and my flexibility. 

I also work with an elderly couple where the husband is beginning to develop Alzheimer’s. The wife doesn’t want to overwhelm him, so I work in quiet coordination with her—and she really appreciates that. Being empathetic is part of who I am. 

Another woman came in to choose a door, but her husband was becoming senile. She let him choose the door, showed him the brochure, we measured, ordered it, and the door arrived—with Emori glass (a frosted-style glass). He said it didn’t work because he couldn’t see through it. It caused a serious argument at home, and she came back almost in tears. Quietly, we reordered the door and resolved the situation. Understanding our clients and adapting when possible is so important.

Outside of work, what brings you the most happiness?

Spending quality time with my son (who has a disability). I’ve raised him on my own since he was two months old—he’s now 28. Just going on road trips makes him happy, and that makes me happy too.

So you took advantage of that during the holidays?

Yes—we spent about 10 days in Sainte-Flavie, in the Lower St. Lawrence. It’s been our ritual for almost 20 years. I rent a motel-apartment by the sea. The owner has been there for 14 years, and I knew the previous one too. If I want to go have dinner with a neighbor and Cédric doesn’t want to come, I can leave him there with complete peace of mind. The owners are there, the neighbors are the same every year—older than me—and friends with my son. It’s like a family. 

What advice would you give someone starting a sales career in the doors and windows industry?

First and foremost, listen to the client’s needs. Don’t jump straight into technical details they won’t understand. Start with the basics—clients really appreciate that.

Empathy is essential, and always tell the truth. I explain everything—not because they’ll necessarily need it, but so they know it exists. I don’t push beyond their needs; I present the options and advise in the client’s best interest. Honesty is so important.

I also like making clients feel unique, not just one customer among many. If they mention fishing, for example, I’ll share a little anecdote—it becomes more personal, almost family-like, and it really adds something to the relationship.

And finally—always be in a good mood! You have problems at home? Leave them at home—or in your car, haha! 😊

A huge thank you, Lise, for sharing your story. You are truly inspiring.