History

The Business Link is the brainchild of father and son team, Jim and Adam Shields, who in 2002, conceived of an idea. They wanted to produce a free business to business publication designed to help Niagarans grow and develop their businesses. Jim has lived and worked in Niagara all his life. After years in the broadcasting business, he owned and operated a research company, an advertising agency and marketing firm both in Canada and in the U.S. Being able to share knowledge is paramount to working together in any family business and this team is the perfect combination of new ideas blending with established business practices.

Jim Shields - Business Link Niagara

Jim says it is nice to be able to pass on years of acquired knowledge to his family. Watching children grow from infancy to childhood to adolescence is a wondrous thing. As a parent one only has so many years to invest in the development of one's children; the joy of owning a family business according to Jim, is both in the added opportunity to contribute to their adult development, and the pleasure of seeing them continue to grow as business professionals.

As co-owner, Adam, a Brock University Honours grad, brings a high level of Adam Shields - The Business Link Niagara Ltd.

Adam Shields - The Business Link Niagara Ltd.

energy, enthusiasm, and new ideas to The Business Link. He isn't afraid to wear the many hats of a small business owner. Full of knowledge, ambition, and personality, Adam is willing to share the load and often takes on more than his share. Jim says that over the years he has had many business partners, but Adam is probably the best partner he's ever had.

The goal of the paper is to find needs in the marketplace and to fill them. To that end, the paper serves to educate and enlighten readers, and works as a valuable networking tool. Since issuing its first edition in Niagara in February of 2003, the company has experienced tremendous growth (from 1 to 8 publications) and is now able to get your message in front of business owners and decision makers across Southern & Southwestern Ontario.

Julie Dodge - The Business Link Niagara Ltd.

The staff at the paper is considered by the Shields as part of an extended family. Together they are working to expand the readership of the paper, as well as the paper's contribution to the community. Julie Shields, also an Honours grad from Brock, is the driving force behind the Niagara Health and Wellness Directory, and brings to the team a level of enthusiasm and brilliance that would be coveted by any successful enterprise.

In March of 2006 Jim and Adam decided to bring The Business Link into the Hamilton market. Since doing so the paper has doubled in size and is now relied upon by business owners throughout the Greater Hamilton communities. The Business Link takes pride in providing the communities of Niagara, Greater Hamilton, Brantford, Brant, Haldimand/Norfolk and Oxford Counties with quality publications that will help businesses grow and prosper.