Success in Shelburne County: Sea Star Seafoods

Sea Star Seafoods is one of eleven companies that will be recognized for their export success at the upcoming Nova Scotia Export Achievement Awards on Wednesday, June 14, at Pier 21 in Halifax.

Specializing in salt fish production, Sea Star Seafoods markets quality products to customers in North America, South America and Europe.

With over 50 years of first-hand experience in harvesting fish, lobster pound operations and processing salt fish, this company, located in the fishing village of Clark's Harbour, is currently producing over 200 packaged products.  

Q: How did you get your start in Nova Scotia and what has contributed to your success?
A: We began renting a very small fish processing facility, and unlike many other new businesses, we were exporting whole fish from the beginning to the United States.

For us, success is hard work and paying attention to the small details that are required to run a business. We have also chosen good people for the appropriate positions as we have grown.

Q: What has been your biggest learning moment?
A: We realized before we began that continuously learning would be the key, and it still holds true today. Business is constantly evolving, so you need to keep ahead, or in stride, through constantly learning and adapting.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you would give to new exporters, or companies considering exporting from Nova Scotia?
A: Research, research, research. Know as much about your intended market, the players and how it functions. Never go for broke. Small gains every day, every month, every year. Business is a marathon not a sprint.

Q: How important is exporting to your business?
A: Our first piece of business was an export, and it is still as crucial today as it was then. It is the foundation that the company is built on.

Q: How did you know exporting was right for your business?
A: We never considered anything but exporting. As we have grown our ability to research and travel to new markets has become one of our biggest assets, and has separated us from the competition.

Q: What’s the best thing about being a Nova Scotia exporter?
A: The best thing about the export business we have built are the jobs that we have been able to provide in our community. We get see the pride that our employees take in being part of the company. When you live and work here you get to see and feel it first hand, and it is something special.

Q: And finally, what’s next for your business?
A: We have had a steady growth over the past 30 plus years that has taken us from 1 full time employee to 80 to 90 full time employees. We intend on continuing that for the next 30 years as we continue to learn and grow as a company and pursue any new opportunities that we can find.