In 2005, Ron Mills, the owner of the Urban Shoe Company saw an opportunity to offer residents in the Gander area an option to purchase quality footwear close to home. Ron focused his business on two core principles: provide customers with a good product and ensure everyone is greeted and looked after when they enter his store.

“I always wanted to be able to do my own thing and run my own business. When I first opened Urban Shoe Company, the only option for local residents was to travel a couple hours east or west to find a store. When we open our doors every day, we know it is the brands we carry and the way we treat every customer that brings them back. While we have to find ways to compete with online competitors in today’s market, I still think these core values will support our business. There will always be something special about a brick and mortar location, the personal touch and supporting your local economy that everyone finds valuable.”

-       Ron Mills, owner, Urban Shoe Company

Now in business for 12 years, the Urban Shoe Company employs six staff and continues to look for growth opportunities. After his first year in business, Ron worked with his local Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) to help the company expand its staff and its location size.

“The CBDC provides expert advice and financing options to help businesses get started and grow. The backbone of our economy relies on the vision and courage of our entrepreneurs. Business owners like Ron Mills are seizing opportunities that exist throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. With our suite of services, small businesses are finding that additional helping hand, which can take them from an idea to a reality.”  

-       Roseanne Leonard, Managing Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs

During the 2016-17 fiscal year, CBDCs in Newfoundland and Labrador have disbursed more than $20 million to help start, maintain and modernize small businesses throughout the province. Over the past year, this funding has helped leverage an additional $14.5 million in funding from other sources and to create and maintain more than 860 jobs. In the Gander region, CBDC provided more than $1.8 million to businesses, resulting in the creation of 26 new jobs and helping to maintain 81 existing positions.

CBDCs provide a variety of services to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses including financial assistance opportunities, business counselling and advice, entrepreneurship development and training, technical assistance, and advocacy.