- Words by Chloe Sjuberg Photography by Lia Crowe

With her trademark sense of humour and boundless enthusiasm, Irene Barlas-Rimar has forged a path to success in not one but two traditionally male-dominated industries. She is the president of COIT Cleaning and Restoration Services BC, and she and her husband Les Rimar recently became the owners of Rex Cox MenB次元官网网址檚 Wear in Mission.

Both companies are staples in the Lower Mainland. COIT has been in business for 70 years, 53 of those in BC, and Rex Cox was established 98 years ago. And Irene is proud to continue their legacies of exceptional service.

B次元官网网址淲e seek to provide that wow-factor, nostalgic type of customer service where you feel like a friend, not just a customer or stranger.B次元官网网址�

Irene discovered her entrepreneurial spirit earlyB次元官网网址擝次元官网网址渁t the ripe age of seven!B次元官网网址滲次元官网网址攚orking in her parentsB次元官网网址� pizza parlours in the B次元官网网址�70s and B次元官网网址�80s.

B次元官网网址淚t spurred this ambition of mine to always be busy making great things happen, not just for me but for anyone who is willing to work with me and do amazing things together. Because letB次元官网网址檚 be clear, one canB次元官网网址檛 do it on oneB次元官网网址檚 own. I am no one-woman show! It takes a village to keep me excited and succeeding.B次元官网网址�

This is a key philosophy for Irene, who is quick to credit the support of her parents, husband and daughters, her COIT business partners Brent Pullan and Brian Wener, and her colleagues at both of her workplaces.

Irene started a part-time job as a telemarketer while pursuing a law degree. Her love for business superseded her interest in law, and she started working full-time with what was then the EatonB次元官网网址檚/WoodwardB次元官网网址檚 cleaning company.

B次元官网网址淚 loved providing customers with an opportunity to freshen up their home or business. I love everything to look and feel clean, so it was easy for me to talk cleaning,B次元官网网址� she laughs.

In 1998, she joined COIT Cleaning and Restoration Services as a commercial account manager, taking on challenges in various roles over the years. In 2017 she accepted the opportunity to become a shareholder and partner in the business, and in November 2021, she became COITB次元官网网址檚 president.

Around that time, Irene had picked back up a longtime hobby of designing and making clothing. Soon enough, she was wondering how she was going to get out all the orders she was receiving.

B次元官网网址淚 suggested to my husband that we buy a store where I could sell my stuff. He has been a rock for me and a huge supporter of my goals and aspirations, so he said, B次元官网网址極kay, well, if you want a store, go find us a store!B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

With that, the search was on. The high cost of leasing space in the Vancouver area was proving a challenge, until the day Irene noticed a little shop in Mission with a red awning called Rex Cox MenB次元官网网址檚 Wear.

B次元官网网址淓verything I found out about this retro-nouveau little store intrigued me, and I knew we had to go see it. When we met the owners, who were wanting to retire, we hit it off at B次元官网网址榟ello.B次元官网网址� We just knew Rex Cox was everything we wanted our small clothing business to be, with a ton of potential to introduce even more.B次元官网网址�

In January 2022, Irene and Les took over the reins at Rex Cox, which specializes in both formal and casual menB次元官网网址檚 wear. For now, itB次元官网网址檚 a B次元官网网址渨ork away from workB次元官网网址� project for the couple. They mainly spend time in the store on weekends, with the support of a great team that keeps the business running smoothly.

At both COIT and Rex Cox, the foundation of IreneB次元官网网址檚 work is her dedication to making people happy.

B次元官网网址淚 love to put smiles on peopleB次元官网网址檚 faces, whether itB次元官网网址檚 through offering fantastic cleaning services, or dressing up the distinguished gentleman or the guy next door. If it makes you happy, my work is done, and a big smile is on my face too!B次元官网网址�

Irene also loves to sketch, read, dance, travel and cook (B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the Greek in me!B次元官网网址�). And it should come as no surprise that she has more big plans in store.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not done just yet. Who knows what my next endeavour will be? I just might write a book. Stay tuned!B次元官网网址�

The 7 Sins

Envy:

Whose shoes would you like to walk in?

Coco Chanel or Calvin Klein, my favourite designers. Both had/have an eclectic passion for fashion that has always intrigued me. Their stories and journeys are inspirational and exciting, and I love their forward-thinking ways. They have allowed many people to look and feel absolutely amazing, including me!

Gluttony:

What is the food you could eat over and over again?

Oh my goodnessB次元官网网址�there are a few, but I have to say chicken wings. I might have to change up the flavour, but salt and pepper chicken wings all day, all night works for me!

Greed:

YouB次元官网网址檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?

I would purchase a beautiful villa in Santorini or Lefkada, Greece. We could vacation there any time, especially when we embark upon our retirement years. It would be wonderful for our daughters and grandchildren to enjoy too. I would love to sit by my very own villa bay windows, overlooking the blue-green waters, and be mesmerized by the beauty in front of me.

Wrath:

Pet peeves?

Well, this is easy for me. I donB次元官网网址檛 like wrinkled clothes! They make me feel sad and not dressed for success. Procrastinators are another pet peeve of mine. I love making things happen, and I donB次元官网网址檛 like hearing the words B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 have timeB次元官网网址� or B次元官网网址渢hereB次元官网网址檚 no time.B次元官网网址� There is always time if you put your mind to it and book the time for it. Lastly, anything crooked! No matter where I see itB次元官网网址攁 picture on the wall, a bunch of paperwork on your desk, books in a libraryB次元官网网址擨 will stop what IB次元官网网址檓 doing, apologize and ask for permission to fix it!

Sloth:

Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?

This might be hard for me! But I could do it somewhere warm, not too hot, near beautiful water, relaxing at my vintage cabin with my sketchbook or a fabulous Harlequin in handB次元官网网址� yes, IB次元官网网址檓 a hopeless romantic.

Pride:

What is the one thing youB次元官网网址檙e secretly proud of?

My zest for life and my entrepreneurial spirit. I have a B次元官网网址渄ream it, live it,B次元官网网址� never-give-up attitude with everything I do.

Lust:

What makes your heart beat faster?

Next to seeing our girls thriving, itB次元官网网址檚 the adrenaline I feel when a goal is achieved, the impossible becoming possible, and seeing and making people happy. When cool, big things happen I just love it. Such a rush

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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