At 17-years-old most people are worried about schoolwork and making the most of their grade 12 year. For two young men from Oxbow, however, making the most of grade 12 includes the creation of business venture, which is seeing much success.
Braden Brock and Riley Spearing of Oxbow were looking to their futures, thinking about pursuing business, when they decided they didn’t have to wait. Together they came up with Birch Lifestyle Co., a clothing company focused on t-shirts and hoodies with aspirations of expanding in the future.
“We were at his [Spearing’s] cabin in Montana,” Brock explained. “We were just sitting on the deck and started talking about it [starting a clothing company], and a couple of weeks later we started it up.”
Their name, Birch Lifestyle Co., was created while sitting on this deck as they discussed possibilities of the business while surrounded by trees. One of their logos therefore includes a tree they created on the computer, while a second logo involves hand drawn mountains, and they are excited to soon be unveiling a new design as well.
How does one go from an idea to start a company to actually going through with it? Both Spearing and Brock agreed that it was the support of their friends and family. Anyone they talked to about it was interested and this inspired Spearing and Brock to research how to start a business.
“We told people about it and they thought it was really cool,” Brock stated. “People were asking if we had stuff ready before we had even started.”
“We didn’t really know where to start, so we Googled ‘how to start a business,’ registered it online, and have done it pretty much all on our own. We found a machine online [for silk screening] and watched videos to learn how to do it.”
After figuring out the logistics of creating their product Spearing and Brock had to figure out how to market their line of clothing.
“We knew a person in Estevan with a store [XS-iV Boardshop], so decided to approach them, and Stacey Lamontagne here in Oxbow at Silver Goddess Boutique is also carrying our clothing,” Brock stated.
“There’s one store in B.C. right now that we’re talking to and one in Weyburn, so we’re just setting up meetings right now.”
Additionally they are promoting Birch Lifestyle Co. online and their products are available through their website, http://www.birchlifestyleco.com/.
Their mission statement and unique quality comes with a focus on nature and being outside. “At Birch, we don’t only provide cool, quality gear; we provide a lifestyle,” their website reads.
“The humbling aspect of nature, woven with the beauty of simplicity is what inspires us at Birch to do what we do.”
“As we grow as a company we will strive to learn, expand and give back while always staying humble in the process. With good roots, a solid team and a good attitude we will accomplish our goals successfully and grow in the process.”
Currently Birch has a high demand and keeping up with requests has been an interesting task, but one they are happy to be challenged to.
“Sales are better than we had expected,” Brock stated.
Future plans for the young men include expanding westward. They are hoping to go to school near each other, and will be based in either Lethbridge or Calgary in the coming years.
Brock explained, “We’re hoping to move the business out west in the next couple of years and get more into the mountains.”
“We want to eventually get an embroidery machine too so we can do toques and jackets, different stuff, but we’ll go bigger once we gain a bigger base and get the capital to do it.”
They will only grow and become better with their entrepreneurial goals as Brock is planning on taking Business in university, while Spearing will be taking Multi-media.
Owner of Silver Goddess Boutique, Lamontagne, was instantly impressed by the Spearing and Brock: “I was happy to get onboard and support local entrepreneurs, being one myself. I’m always happy to empower local people. I am new to town, I’ve only been here three years, and people took me under their wing, so it’s nice to be able to help others and give back.”
“I saw on Facebook people were ‘liking’ the company and I did some product research, met with them, and decided to carry their line. I’ve sold two orders in one month.”
She added, “It’s a great product and they’re doing a fantastic job on branding it through social media. They’re keen and very serious about it.”
Currently the boys have developed t-shirts and hoodies for men and women, as well as t-shirts for youth.
Spearing and Brock are ultimately excited for the future and to see what they can do with their business while continually growing and learning entrepreneurial skills in the next few years.
