BISHOP'S FALLS, N.L. — A Bishop’s Falls businessman left the “Dragons’ Den” with new investors and a new nickname.
Mark Brace recently made an appearance on the popular television show to pitch Newfoundland black granite and Ocean Floor Granite, which he owns and operates.
“I was confident in my business,” he said.
And his product.
At the end of his session, each of the “Dragons’ Den” investors said they were impressed with it, too.
Brace had come looking for a $2 million dollar investment in exchange for 10 per cent of his company. He left with that amount and a quintet of new partners.
Brace's pitch was good enough to entice five of the dragons to enter into agreements, although he had to make it for 20 perc ent of Ocean Floor Granite.
“It was a great experience,” said Brace, noting he had been a longtime fan of “Dragon’s Den."
Dragon Michele Romanow believed the product was so good that Brace could become the “King of Newfoundland.”
“I think this is huge,” said Brace, who had spent the last several years building his business.
At 19, he started with a roofing company and went from there. In those days, he’d drive around in an old Honda Civic and knock on doors looking for jobs. He began building a client list and eventually moved into doing work on schools, hotels and other businesses.
In the last couple of years, the business expanded to included heavy equipment and excavating.
“Mark is a very smart young man,” said his father, Kevin Brace. “I’m very proud of him.
"I’m behind him all the way.”
At 24, Mark Brace approached a group about purchasing the granite plant along with 75 acres containing what he calls the rarest black granite in North America.
That was three years ago. Now, he is ready to start making waves in the industry.
He's also acquired the rights to a Labradorite site and another site for black granite.
Newfoundland is one of the few places in North America where jet-black granite is found and Brace's company touts itself as the only granite quarry and processing facility in Eastern Canada.
The operations provide products for architectural projects, commercial construction and landscape work, turning out granite-clad entrances, stair treads, floor tiles, fireplaces, walls, signage, monuments and countertops.
"I knew it was going to be a success and it was going to be a long road,” said Kevin.
His "Dragons' Den" appearance led to plenty of phone calls and social media messages offering congratulations.
It has also brought attention to the business, some from international locations.
“It is crazy amount of interest now,” said Brace, who believes Ocean Floor Granite can eventually employ nearly 500 people.
With the "Dragons’ Den” deal, Brace hopes to provide a positive example for other entrepreneurs in this province.
“It is a really good story of hope,” he said.
