The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, today helped kick off Small Business Week in Newfoundland and Labrador by visiting Whink’s new store at Churchill Square in St. John’s.
As part of Minister Mitchelmore’s visit, the Provincial Government announced an investment $38,850 from the Business Development Support Program to Sparkes Design, a division of Whink Enterprises Inc., to provide market research and development, training and product development.
Sparkes Design is a digital wholesaler of jewelry that is designed in-house, sourced and manufactured through an international supply chain. This investment will assist with travel to trade shows and support in-market initiatives, with an overall goal to help Sparkes Design further access clientele across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Kim Paddon is the President and CEO of Whink Enterprises, which she founded in 2010, at the age of 22. Her boutique store offers a specialty selection of jewelry, art, giftware, collectibles and bridal accessories, and recently relocated from the downtown core of St. John’s to Churchill Square.
From October 14 to October 20, the Provincial Government is celebrating Small Business Week across Newfoundland and Labrador and throughout the week, activities are planned to highlight the significant impact these businesses have on the growth of the provincial economy. Small to medium-sized businesses employ almost 40 per cent of the workforce in the province. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry, Innovation provides a wide array of services and financial support to small and medium-sized businesses, including counselling, repayable and non-repayable financing options, enterprise promotion, and export development and trade.
Support for small business delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“By supporting small businesses such as Whink, our government is helping foster and encourage entrepreneurship in Newfoundland and Labrador. Through our Business Innovation Agenda, we are making direct investments in innovative companies which is supporting their growth and ability to compete on a larger scale. The heart of our economy goes through small business, and I commend all hardworking small business owners and operators as they help strengthen economic growth and sustain rural communities across Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“The support of the Provincial Government has been a tremendous help to the growth of Dory Blue by Sparkes Design. It’s been an absolute honour to represent our province as a female entrepreneur selling our jewelry with our provincial mineral Labradorite. Their support has led us to new markets and has been part of our growth to be in over 70 stores and counting.”
Kim Paddon
Whink Enterprises Inc.
“Small businesses are the backbone of the economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NLOWE is pleased that the Provincial Government is recognizing the importance of small business owners and the economic impact that women owned business are making here and around the world. Their investment in Whink will be instrumental in assisting to expand the business and compete in the global market.”
Paula Sheppard
NLOWE
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Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Kim Paddon
Whink Enterprises Inc.
709-740-3918
kim@sparkesdesign.com
Paula Sheppard, CEO
NLOWE
709-754-5658
Psheppard@nlowe.org