Neechie Gear founder captures national business award

The man who parlayed his personal story into an athletic wear brand has won national recognition.

Kendal Netmaker, the founder of Saskatoon-based Neechie Gear, received this year's National Youth Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award at a ceremony in Toronto. It goes to an up-and-comer under the age of 35.

"Whatever your background you come from, whatever hardships you go through, as long as you have a vision for your goals, anything is possible," Netmaker said.

Netmaker grew on on Sweetgrass First Nation. He didn't have money for soccer registration, or to get to and from games and practices. A South African friend talked his parents into paying Netmaker's fee, and driving him home from the soccer field. His friend's family eventually gave Netmaker's family a running vehicle.

Cree slang for 'friend'

Netmaker said without that help, he would not have landed a college volleyball scholarship. So when he started his company, he chose the name Neechie, a Plains Cree slang word for 'friend'.

The company gives a share of its profit to help underprivileged kids play sports.

Netmaker said the entrepreneur award has given him national attention and contacts.

"The more I tell my story, the more it's heard, the branding behind the company, our store and so on, people become really receptive to the brand," he said. "And they almost become a loyal customer. So our chances of success in terms of getting into different markets really increases because of that."

He said he's grateful to his supporters.