Business plan competition winner has passion for healthy future
- EFN Staff | April 15, 2014
Brandy-Lee Maxie of White Bear First Nation took $5,000 for first place for AB Original Health & Fitness in Saskatoon Tribal Councils 3rd Annual Mino-Bimaadiziwin Youth Business Plan Competition. The company designs and delivers licensed, culturally inspired, Elder-approved dance fitness classes. Self-esteem and diabetes workshops support individuals fitness goals by providing the education and tools necessary to make healthy, preventative lifestyle choices. We fired some questions Brandy's way so we could learn something about her success.
What does it mean to you to get first place in the STC competition?
Winning the STC business plan competition really helped me realize how much work I have put into my business planning up to this point. Applying what I've learned after 1 and a 1/2 years of participating in business plan competitions it was nice to win and to be able to share it with my family. I feel pretty grateful for this opportunity; some people can have all the drive and ambition in the world but have to work a little harder to get the money to bring their vision to life. Home stability is very important when creating something so ambitious, so I made sure our bills were paid with some of the money. I am in the process of seeking out the remainder start up funds now that I have a functional business plan, so most of my winnings will be going towards my 10% equity portion. Almost ready to launch my first business, it's a pretty exciting time!!
What is the most challenging about trying to bring a business to life?
To be completely honest, what's most challenging about bringing a business to life is the lack of finances. As a single parent I can only work so much and I've overcome homelessness and alot of racism in the past few years, but it's made me resourceful and committed. Trying to work at dead end jobs that didn't pay enough, just to build someone else's dream. But what is most challenging is also what drives me the hardest, I really just want to build something that benefits my children's future and has a positive impact on my people.
What is the most rewarding?
What's most rewarding about everything is that I have really stepped out of my comfort zone to be what I was raised to be, an Entrepreneur. I decided that I want to build my own dreams and I have a vision that is now rapidly turning into reality, so hard work pays off.
Why do you feel your business will succeed?
I feel my business will succeed because when I speak about my vision people understand, they can see past the group fitness business model to the core of the problem. North America wide, diabetes and heart disease are ravaging our people's health at alarming rates. I think now is a great time to become a fitness professional in First Nations communities. I think this business will succeed because I have enough passion to create healthier First Nations communities to make it succeed and I also want to help create more Entrepreneurs.