For 25 years, John Jansen has been pulling into communities across North America with a fedora on his head, a trailer full of park benches behind his truck, and a genuine interest in the people he was there to serve. This week, he steps into retirement.
Last year marked Wishbone's 30th anniversary and its biggest year on record — a fitting milestone for the man who took the reins of a small operation and built it into the industry leader in municipal-grade outdoor furnishings. It's a career defined not by chasing growth, but by faith, relationships, and attention to the details that matter.
Starting Small, Staying Faithful
John didn't set out to be a manufacturer. He came from consumer electronics — a road warrior and relationship builder who thrived on face-to-face conversations. When the opportunity came to take the reins of a small site furnishings company built around recycled plastic lumber, he was intrigued. And, as he'll tell you with characteristic honesty, he needed a job.
What followed were years of real sacrifice. John commuted three and a half hours from Kelowna to Langley, living in a camper parked inside his own warehouse during the week. Partnerships collapsed. Funding disappeared. Suppliers shut down. A home line of credit kept the lights on.
But John had made a decision early on that would define everything that followed: God is the senior partner of this company. Not a tagline, but a covenant. It meant tithing at least 10 percent even when there was barely enough to pay the bills. And it meant that when the weight of it all became unbearable, John knew where to turn.
During one of the company's lowest points, John took three days away to fast and pray, asking God one honest question: Is this what you want me to do? He came back with an answer. And a poem he'd memorized in high school — one that had carried him through challenges long before Wishbone — took on new meaning:
Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it!
— Edgar Albert Guest, "It Couldn't Be Done"
John typed it out and placed it on his desk, changing only the last line. Where the original read "and he did it," John's version read: "and with God's help, he did it."
Love God, Love People — and Name a Bench After Them
For John, the line between family and business was never very wide. His wife Janet has been beside him through every chapter of Wishbone — the long commutes, the financial uncertainty, the sacrifices that come with building something from nothing. Her support through the toughest seasons was essential to everything Wishbone became. So it's no surprise that when John started naming his products, family came first. The Tenaj bench — Janet spelled backwards — is his quiet tribute to her. The JEM chair is named after his three youngest
But it didn't stop with family. During a season when John was deeply active in his men's group at church, he began naming product lines after all kinds of people he cared about — friends, mentors, people he wanted to remember in prayer every time a product bearing their name was sold. There are dozens of these stories behind the catalogue, and it's a detail most customers never knew. And yet it dives deeply to the heart of the man who built it.
The Man with the Trailer and the Hat
Early on, John figured out something that most of the industry hadn't: the best way to build a business in site furnishings wasn't through trade show booths or cold calls. It was through showing up.
He loaded products onto a trailer, put on his fedora, and started driving. Town to town, community to community, he pulled into municipal yards and parks departments and offered to let people see and touch the product for themselves. No gatekeepers, no intermediaries — just John, his hat, and a trailer full of benches.
When Wishbone commissioned a marketing study years ago to find out why customers were buying from them, the results were revealing. The number one reason wasn't the recycled content. It wasn't the price. It was John himself — his enthusiasm, his presence, his genuineness. People wanted to support him because they could tell he cared. Everything else — the aesthetics, the competitive pricing, the environmental story — was a bonus. Relationship was the driving factor.
An Eye for Beauty
The team calls it "John-izing" — his relentless eye for getting every detail right, from the curve of an armrest to the angle of a waste receptacle door. Every product went through John's hands and vision before it went to market. Does it look right? Does it feel right? Will someone be proud to have it in their park? Nothing was too small to matter.
That sensibility extended to how Wishbone presented itself to the world. Every product photo on the website was taken by John himself. And on those long drives between communities — across prairies, through mountain passes, along coastlines — his camera turned to another love: birds. Hundreds of them, photographed over years of travel. A quiet practice of paying attention to the beauty in creation that mirrored the care he brought to everything else.
And that newfound love of bird photography worked its way into his approach to Wishbone. A man who believes God is his senior partner, spending early mornings watching light break over a landscape and a bird take flight — then driving into town to talk about park benches with the same sense of wonder. The big and the small received the same reverence from John, because to him it all mattered.
John's bird photography has also earned recognition on eBird, the world's largest birding platform powered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. In a library of over 90 million photos, his Evening Grosbeak image once ranked in the top 10 globally and currently sits at #38.
The Foundation Endures
As John steps into this new chapter of retirement, Wishbone continues to move forward under the leadership of Scott Edwards as CEO — and under the same values that have guided the company since the beginning. The commitment to recycled materials, thoughtful design, and products that serve real people in real public spaces remains the heartbeat of Wishbone. And the mission statement still reads the same: God is the senior partner.
John isn't disappearing entirely. He'll continue visiting communities across North America, camera in hand, seeing his legacy add value to municipalities and capturing those installations the way only he can. He's also actively mentoring his son Johnny, who has recently stepped into the marketing and brand development role that John shaped over 25 years.
John once said that if he had to start over, he wouldn't change a thing — because he wouldn't be who he is without every trial, every setback, every moment of surrender on the side of the highway. The good, the bad, and the ugly all sharpened the iron. We believe that's true. And we believe the proof is in 30 years of communities across North America that are a little more welcoming, a little more beautiful, and a little more cared for — because a man in a hat showed up with a trailer and a handshake, and meant every word he said.
From all of us at Wishbone Site Furnishings:
Thank you, John. Thank you, Janet. And to the senior partner — all the glory.
Wishing John and Janet new roads, new birds, a growing garden, and peace.
Want to send John a note? Reach him at [email protected]
Words from the People Who Know Him Best
Colleagues, customers, partners, and friends share their memories of John
John and I met around 1996. He was developing a new company and I was starting my role with the Town of Princeton as Director of Recreation and Parks. As I got to know John a bit better, I realized that he was building something more than just a company that makes park furniture. It was a company that represented who John is as a person — one built on vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to doing things the right way.
John sold me on his vision to use recycled plastic and steel. I thought his idea to build a municipal park furniture company rooted in environmental stewardship was way ahead of its time and I wanted that concept represented in our community. What began as a small, British Columbia–based operation recycling milk jugs, has since grown into a national presence, with offices across the country and products now reaching communities around the world.
John understood that business is ultimately about people. He prioritized relationships — taking the time to listen, to support, and to build genuine connections that have stood the test of time. Many of those relationships have turned into lifelong friendships, a testament to the kind of leader and person he is. I remember fondly working with John on an idea we had for a coffee table style sitting area in one of our parks. John took this idea back to his shop and returned with a design that has become a key component to our Veterans square where people can gather and enjoy each other's company.
John always went the extra mile for us. Many times he would think of ways to save money on simple things like shipping. I remember a time that he met me on the highway to transfer something we had bought. John was on holidays with his family at the time and if I remember correctly, he was dressed for vacation. I'm sure passing motorists thought it was some sort of drug deal going down. Thankfully, neither of us were arrested.
As you step into retirement, I'm confident that what you have built will continue to grow and thrive, guided by the strong principles you instilled from the very beginning. Thank you for your vision, your leadership, and your commitment to making both business and the world a little better.
— Lyle Thomas | Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Princeton
I first met John somewhere in the neighbourhood of twenty-five years or so ago. Since that time, we have forged a stellar working relationship. I always looked forward to his annual visits showing off the new products. What a creative mind he has, always looking to make site furnishings and other products that make life easier for everyone in all walks of life.
Then there were the times we met by chance in the campground at Mabel Lake, more than once! There is always something to chat about with John, from his stories about how he came up with the idea for a new product, to his varied travels all over! After all these years, above all I consider John a friend, more than a sales representative. Good luck in the future John, and DON'T be a stranger!
— Cam Op Clerk/City of Salmon Arm
In the early days when Wishbone was just starting out, John would stay at our home when he was on the coast. He came to know and love our African Grey Parrots, Jarvis and Chico. Now John was familiar with pet birds as he and his wife had owned one. So one day he felt emboldened to try and take Jarvis on his hand. We tried to warn him that Jarvis was a ladies' bird but he insisted that he could tame any grey.
So he opened the cage and reached his hand in for the pick up and there was a bit of a stand off. John re-maneuvered his hand to try and make Jarvis step on but instead Jarvis reached for him with her beak and solidly bit John between the thumb and the forefinger and would not let go. It took at least 30 seconds for Jarvis to let go, leaving John with a loving reminder of what an angry Grey can do when she does not want to step up.
I have many other stories of John in the early days, but this is the one that is my favorite.
— Jonathan Zerkee, RHP, RRP | President, Sonbuilt Custom Homes Ltd
John, it been an honor and a privilege to get to know and work with you over the last 5 years. The foundation you set within Wishbone of relationships, passion and Integrity has set the company up for the next 30 years. I wish you nothing but the best in your next chapter of life. I pray for good health, many birds and endless opportunities to "John-ize" things.
— Scott Edwards | CEO, Wishbone Site Furnishings
It's been an absolute pleasure working with John for the last 10 years. I'm forever grateful for the opportunities and leadership he's offered me. It all stems from the clear passion he has had for this business and the people who work here. Being a small company he's always made me feel like I was part of the Wishbone family. From accordion birthday songs, many photo shoots and Christmas Tacky Mug challenges, John has always made it fun. Your impact and influence will always be remembered.
— Katie Palmer
John truly poured his heart and soul into Wishbone, making it a place we're all proud to call home. His imagination and constant drive for "better" may have kept us on our toes — and occasionally left us scrambling to keep up — but it was that same creative spark that made working here so inspiring. We wish him nothing but the best as he trades staff meetings for bird watching adventures. Cheers John — we'll miss ya!
— Greg Williams
John Jansen — The Legacy, The Founder, The Man with the cool hats and trailer in tow. Your new chapter: more travels, watching birds and watching your garden grow. This is not a farewell bid. This is a new beginning wish.
Great memories of road trips, connecting with people, coffee shops, antique stores, and small towns with PB+J burgers and many photo stops along the way. What lasts the longest is the path that he set — in business, in life, a standard we won't forget.
— Ronay Shelton
We at GWR have truly been blessed to have such a wonderful partnership with Wishbone! From the moment we first met with the possibility of a partnership, I was impressed with your intense passion for the product offering and your elevated business acumen. You have created something special and we give you a large tip of the cap and wish you the very best on your future endeavors! Thank you for letting us be a part of the journey!
— Tyler K. | GWR
Many years ago, a forced rebirth left us with a small list of customers, a laptop, and ideas that you had of what the customers might buy. You led us over many hurdles, through challenges to celebrate victories along the way. Through sacrifices, perseverance and faithfulness you've built a boat to keep us afloat, and then a vessel to bring others along. Congratulations to you in this moment, as you pass the helm on to others to carry on.
— Kevin T.
You've built more than a company — you've built a culture full of laughter, creativity, and connection. Your humor and ability to bring people together made work feel fun, inclusive, and meaningful, and you've left a lasting mark on all of us. Wishing you the very best in this next chapter — you've more than earned it.
— Hayley Pez
Congratulations on your retirement, John — it's well deserved. Working with you was a genuinely great experience, and I took away more than I expected from your leadership. Wishing you and your family all the best and God's blessings in what comes next in your new chapter.
— Peter Teichroeb
Over 20 years ago, John took a chance on us. We were a brand new web development company but he recognized our entrepreneurial spirit and put us to work for Wishbone. It has been a pleasure to be alongside Wishbone as it has grown to what it is today and we are grateful for all we have learned from John over the years.
— John Holman & Todd Avison