b'AdvertorialAAll lflo fro rc rceraetaintign g vavlauleu eb ebyeoynodnd prporfiotfi.t.1-8818-8-I8N8F-ION-FBOD-CBDC bdbcd.cca.caBuilding a way forwardapprentices. Its the only Indigenous-owned heavy equipment repair shop in Fort MacMurray, and the for future generations. regions leading industrial maintenance provider. An interview with A.P.E Maintenance As A.P.E.s CEO, Melanie attributes their ability to grow in large parts to having support when they Entrepreneurs Melanie and Lloyd Antoine grew up in Fortneededit.Nomatterwhatstagewewereat, Chipewyan, a small community of just over 1000 people,BDC helped us take the next step towards growth, 200km north of Fort McMurray, at the delta of the Peacewhich has allowed us to expand and create more and Athabasca Rivers. jobs. she explains. Lloyd, who is the companys President, adds: BDC is great to deal with, they Since the couple started Antoines Pump and Equipmentgiveadvicebuttrustthatweunderstandour Maintenance (A.P.E. Maintenance) in 2008, the businessbusiness best and know how to manage it.has weathered its share of storms. Founded at the start As for the key to their success, the two agree that of a global recession, they lost everything to the 2016having integrity and being honest and transparent Fort McMurray wildfires and saw many of their employeesiskey.Theyrealsobigbelieversinstaying displaced by flooding in 2020. When the pandemic hit,connected to the community, no matter how big they had just received the keys to a newly purchased andyou grow. Both are active on numerous boards renovated 20,000 sq.ft. facility to support the expansionandthecompanysupportsandcontributesto of their business.many Indigenous initiatives and programs. Giving up was never an option for Melanie and Lloyd. Whenaskedwhatthefutureholds,Melanie Weinvestedourwholelivesinthebusiness,sayssmiles and points to their 19-year-old son, who Melanie. We wanted to show our community that if youis currently pursuing a business degree. Were a stay the course through the ups and downs, success isfamily-owned company, so we instilled an interest possible. And we wanted to prove to the industry that wein the business in our kids early on. Building and can support big projects with local resources and people. growingasustainablebusinessmeanswecan Today,A.P.E.Groupemploysmorethan100people,keep creating jobs for many years to come.from millwrights to electricians, welders, labourers and About BDC- BDC is proud of its long history of working with Indigenous business owners and appreciates their unique histories, cultures & contributions inCanada. We stand in solidarity with you and all Indigenous peoples, and are committed to listening, learning & taking action towards reconciliation. We also thank Creative Fire, member of Des Nedhe Group and a 100% Indigenous-owned consulting agency for their collaboration with this featured article.'