Natively Vibing CEO John Halkett (right) shows off his brand while in Saskatoon earlier this year. (submitted)

By Logan Lehmann

Growing the Brand

Local clothing brand chosen as semifinalist in Indigenous business competition

Jul 30, 2023 | 5:29 PM

A clothing brand based out of Prince Albert has been selected as a semifinalist in a prestigious Indigenous business competition.

The brand, Natively Vibing, was selected out of more than 2,000 other applications where the business now has a chance at the $25,000 grand prize to help expand.

CEO of Natively Vibing John Halkett told paNOW that his vision is to be much more than just a name on a shirt.

“Right now, it’s a clothing brand but my main goal is to open up a shop, but it’ll be much more than that,” he said. “It’s going to be a place where youth can hangout [and] feel safe. Hopefully there will be a weight room and a gym room so hopefully if I win this money, I could use that to open the shop. [There’s going] so many things to do – get the community together, that’s the main goal.”

The competition, Pow Wow Pitch, is North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs to further grow their business.

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With more than six years of experience working with youth in Prince Albert, Halkett shared where his clothing idea came from and the inspiration to create a safe space for youth in the city.

“When I was growing up, every Saturday me and my buddies would be [at Area 51 playing video games],” he explained. “But now, there’s nothing for our youth to do on the weekend, especially safe stuff. I just remember that Area 51 was very good because it was a safe place to hang out and I think our youth aren’t feeling taken care of right now. It’ll affect the whole community – have a trickle effect if I could get this shop up and running.”

Now that he’s in the semifinals, he added that he didn’t think he had a shot at the grand prize to begin with.

“I kind of just applied thinking whatever,” he said. “I made a one minute video and I’m not the best in front of the camera and that’s something I’m working on. As you grow as a human, you got to be comfortable being uncomfortable – you got to just go for it.”

He added that 10 per cent of the profit he makes goes back into the community to help the youth. The semifinal broadcast will begin on Sept. 5 with the winner being announced on Sept. 16.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann