Icer's

In October 1980, 35-year-old Fredericton Ross Hanson was driving home from work when a tyres suddenly blew out on his car and he drove into the ditch. When he awoke from unconsciousness, he was in a hospital in Saint John, paralyzed from the neck down. He was told he would never walk again. It took Hanson three years to prove the doctors wrong. He learned all over again, sitting, writing and walking. Over time, he found walking lighter again, but in the freezing winter it was still difficult for him to get around. He searched the market for good quality anti-slip shoes, but only found highly specialized products for mountain sports and nothing suitable for the average consumer. Hanson developed the idea of a product that was simple in design, easy to fit, provided a stable, level platform, remained flexible in all conditions, was comfortable to wear, extremely durable and, above all, effective. With the help of his long-time friend, Peter Baldwin, he was determined to build these anti-slip shoes. In 1987, they pooled their savings of $5000 and founded their company, SuperSoles. Two years of intensive research and development led to the production of 26 working prototypes based on the studded tire principle. Friends and neighbors were recruited to test the product. Finally, they had a prototype that they knew was superior. They applied for and received their first patent. Hanson then took out a loan of 100,000 dollars after mortgaging his house. By the fall of 1989, production was in full swing. With five employees, they cut and assembled all the parts in a rented church basement. At first Hanson thought his product would be limited to the elderly and disabled, until he won over the market for safety clothing. He signed a large contract with Canada Post, which equipped all of its mail carriers with the shoe spikes. ; As more orders came in, Hanson needed to find more space. He took out another loan of 50,000 dollars to rent a warehouse and buy new machines. His goal was to expand into foreign markets. He achieved this goal in 1991 after licensing a manufacturer in the US and finding a dealer in Norway. He leased a larger warehouse and filled it with more stock and machines. By 1995, SuperSoles, now renamed "ICER'S INC.", had reached nearly $1 million in sales. Today, more than 500,000 pairs are in activity in 9 countries! Hansen, who has done everything from janitor to CEO, draws his strength from knowing that his product is helping people all over the world.