After more than 30 years in the credit and collections industry, working in both contributor and senior manager roles, Paul Cyr made a bold shift. In 2017, he left the corporate world to follow a personal calling and launched Auction Owls Inc., now celebrating its 8th year in 2025. His motivation was simple: More peace of mind and more time with his family and grandchildren. “Picking” had always been a calming hobby, so turning it into a business felt natural.
The name “Auction Owls” came from a casual coffee chat with a writer friend who noted Paul’s love of owls and his habit of staying up late—a true night owl. The “Auction” piece fit perfectly.
Today, following auction periods, 50–60 people may pass through Auction Owls in a single day. With roughly 10 projects on the go at any time, the business is lively and purpose-driven. But the early days were challenging. Paul describes entrepreneurship as “very tough,” often requiring 24/7 effort with little initial reward. His mantra—“If you don’t sow, you don’t reap”—kept him going.
CBDC played a crucial role throughout his journey. Their seminars, networking, and guidance helped him build confidence, and a $120,000 loan from CBDC Central PEI provided essential startup support. “Banks don’t look at your character,” Paul says. “CBDC does.”
Despite obstacles, Paul loves the freedom of being his own boss and aligning work with his best hours. Looking ahead, he hopes to see the brand carried on by one of his children—or eventually scaled down into a small, home-based operation that brings him back to his roots.