Ruth Grady found success selling products in the male-dominated industry of sanding sponges and sanding products. She proved untraditional industries hold many opportunities for women who confidently step across barriers.

- By Donna Benjamin

Northern Abrasives markets, manufactures and distributes abrasive products for a wide range of applications to the Retail, Hardware, Building Supply and Do-It-Yourself Markets. It is not a glamorous business, but it is certainly a necessary one and one mostly associated with men. This particular traditional business is a bit unconventional because it is run by a woman. Ruth Grady is the President of Northern Abrasives -located in Summerside, Prince Edward Island - and she used her ability to market and sell products to turn a local Canadian business into one preparing to go global. This is a story of a talented woman who recognized a business opportunity and then quietly sold a 1.3 million dollars of sandpaper in her first year.