Entrepreneur is building a future by helping others build their businesses
- NC Raine | July 10, 2023
Nick Basaraba is the type of guy who turns lemons into lemonade. Or, somewhat more accurately, turns lemons into internet traffic.
Faced with the plight of so many during and after the height of the pandemic, the 25-year-old, struggled to find steady employment. He took matters into his own hands, Basaraba dove into entrepreneurship by starting his own search engine optimization (SEO) business.
About a year in, the business has grown more than the young Métis entrepreneur could have imagined.
“It’s been growing so fast over the past year,” he said. “I fell in love with this business and being able to help out other business owner achieve a higher level of success.”
SEO is the process of improving the quantity and quality of website traffic from search engines, essentially bringing more potential customers to your page. Basaraba’s company specifically focuses on SEO for construction contractors. Focusing on construction contractors has allowed Basaraba to fine tune strategies and solutions for one specific sector.
At the time of publication, Basaraba’s company was undergoing some structural changes, including an impending name change, and thus his company’s prior name is withheld on request.
“Growing up in Prince Albert, my dad owned his own business and was a hard worker, so I grew up with that same work ethic and being self-motivated,” he said. “I chose this business because we saw a huge gap in that space. A lot of contractors have a hard time getting work (without referrals) so there was a huge opportunity in that space.”
A recent graduate of the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP), Basaraba changed gears and began taking online SEO courses, but credits his immersion into culture as the reason for his success.
“I think learning who I am and where I come from has helped me succeed in business and life,” said Basaraba. “I feel like I’m following in my ancestor’s footsteps and pursuing that part of my Métis identity – which is about being self-sufficient and sovereign and creating opportunities for ourselves,” said Basaraba.”
Another one of his driving forces is sports. His accomplishments include playing softball for Team Canada; winning bronze at the World Championships in the USA in 2016; being named Athlete of the Year in Prince Albert in 2016; and being named an All-Star while playing for Team Saskatchewan, to name a few.
“Sports is a great avenue and expression for my negative experiences in life,” said Basaraba. “I think it’s an important outlet and a good way to express yourself. My hope is to grow my business really, big so I can give back to the community so everyone can experience the joy and feeling of peace that comes with being involved in sports.”
He’s currently constructing some philanthropic plans, which centre on providing support and positive experiences for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. As a new father to a one-year-old daughter, Basaraba said providing for those younger generations is all he needs to keep pushing himself and his business forward.
“The main idea of what I’m doing is to inspire young people,” he said. “I’m just focusing on being able to give back to the youth, give them more resources, give them a good role model, and pay it forward. My ancestors gave up their lives so we could have a better life, so I think it’s my obligation to pay it forward.”