Entrepreneurship

Bryan Shupe is widely known across the state as a leader that recognizes street-level challenges in our communities and finds innovative solutions to change the status quo.

Starting MilfordLIVE at 26

The passion to improve the quality of life in Milford drove Bryan to start his own business in his hometown and create the city’s first hyperlocal community-driven media outlet, Milford Live.

As traditional newspapers filled pages with police and fire reports, Shupe used an all-digital platform he created to focus on positive outcomes from innovative businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders. Since, he has become the CEO of Delaware LIVE News network that covers statewide, local news and live streams local high school sports.

Founding Fur Baby Resort

The Shupe family, led by his wife Sherry, started a family-owned business in Milford in 2011.

Recognizing the evolving landscape of the pet industry, the couple expanded their boutique to include holistic services such as doggie daycare, overnight hotel, spa grooming and grocery. In 2021 Fur Baby Pet Resort opened their 10,000 square foot facility as the business now employs over 15 Park Leaders. The business was instrumental in the rehabilitation of riverfront property in Downtown Milford that had been abandoned for over 20 years. The land, now known as the Mispillion Gateway, leads into Milford's Downtown Development District and hosts two growing businesses.

Creating Statewide Access to Hyperlocal News

Over the last decade, the decline in locally-owned newsrooms in Delaware has created a crisis in communities across The First State. This progression has caused many residents to become disconnected from their own schools, town governments and local culture as many families have watched the national news outlets push national narratives on their own community.

In 2020 Delaware LIVE, a locally-owned, statewide news media company was launched in an effort to combat the national takeover of Delaware news. “The freedom of independent, locally-owned news outlets is critical for our communities to thrive in The First State,” said Delaware LIVE Chief Executive Officer Bryan Shupe. “When our residents are informed, they can become engaged and have a voice in their community.”

Revitalizing Our Downtowns

Bryan and his wife Sherry formed Mispillion Gateway, LLC in 2019 in an effort to revitalize the eastern entrance into downtown Milford on Route 14. The business rehabilitated a vacant property on the banks of the Mispillion River and created an impressive entrance into the Historic Downtown district. The property is now home to two local businesses, Fur Baby Pet Resort and Clear Definition.

As the Mayor of Milford, Shupe was instrumental in creating Milford's Downtown Development District designation in 2014, a partnership between the City of Milford and the State of Delaware that strives to improve the housing stock, reduce vacancy rates, promote home-ownership, establish long-term residency and strengthen the sense of community. From 2014 to 2020 over $21.5million was privately invested into Downtown Milford through 7 large and 31 small projects as the State and City partnered to invest $2.6 million during the same period.

"When entrepreneurism is used in all aspects of our lives, we start to see that life is best experienced when we expand beyond our own comforts."

- Bryan Shupe

Stories of Innovative Businesses, Entrepreneurs, and Leaders

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