Opportunities lead to opportunities

It might be cliched, but Kendal Netmaker, Founder and CEO of Neechie Gear, says business and life are about being ready to answer every time opportunity knocks.

"Opportunities, I'll be using that word lots," Netmaker told students attending the TransACTIONS for Youth Conference on Business‏ held in the city Friday.

Netmaker said in his own case growing up near Cutknife his family was not in a position to have him involved in sports as a youth.

But a South African Doctor offered to not just pay his fees, but get him to and from games.

The same doctor would eventually give Netmaker's family a 1986 Crown Victoria.

"That boat allowed me and three younger siblings to be involved in sport and other extracurricular activities," he said.

"That first act of kindness had a big impact on me," he said, adding he came to recognize that was an opportunity offered him that he took advantage of at a young age, a situation which opened doors to more opportunities.

Netmaker's involvement in sport presented another opportunity, a scholarship to play basketball. He added in Grade 12 "I never thought of post secondary as an option," but added sports got him there.

Netmaker said the act of kindness which helped him get into sports was also an integral part of his business vision which would become Neechie Gear. He said he wanted to help youth just as the South African doctor had helped him.

So he had the idea "to sell clothes and gives some of the proceeds to youth."

The idea for the business took shape after Netmaker took advantage of an opportunity to enter a business plan competition. He told the conference a business plan is essential for a start-up enterprise.

"It's necessary if you really want a roadmap towards your idea," he said.

Netmaker would use the plan from the competition to launch Neechie Gear, adding even with a plan it was not easy.

"You have to go through sacrifice to appreciate the outcome," he said, noting when he opened his first store in a Saskatoon mall he worked 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. for two solid weeks to prepare the space in hours the mall was closed.

"You've got to work hard, otherwise you don't know the full capacity of your idea."

A second store is now open in Prince Albert, and online sales have sent clothes to Australia, Europe and Asia.

But there have been bumps along the way.

"You can never be fully prepared for anything that you do," he said, adding even with a plan " you have to be ready to tweak it."

And Netmaker continues to pursue opportunities entering a number of entrepreneurial contests, and winning a number of major prizes, money which has helped develop and grow Neechie Gear.

"Taking one opportunity leads to another opportunity," he said.

Netmaker said young people need to recognize what they do now is laying a foundation for their future.

"How do you want to be seen?" he asked, adding that youth need to realize "we live in a judgmental society."

In his own case growing up on a reserve he said he was taught as a young person "you shut up. You listen and you watch."

And when you do speak the words need to be honest.

"You will not change anything if you don't speak from here," he said, touching over his heart.

Netmaker said youth also need to realize they can define their own future.

"The only person going to stop you is you as an individual," he said. "Take responsibility where you are today, and make it better tomorrow."