When I was in Grade 12, there was someone in my life who saw something in me that I couldn’t yet see in myself.
My high school volleyball coach.
He used to challenge me—not just on the court, but in life.
He’d say,
Kendal, you should go to university.
And I remember thinking, “University? This guy’s crazy.”
No one in my family had ever gone to university. It didn’t feel like something that was meant for me.
But he didn’t stop there.
He kept planting seeds.
Kendal, I could see you becoming a teacher one day.
Kendal, I could see you coaching here one day.
And slowly… I started to believe him.
Learning to Believe Before You’re Ready
I applied to university.
The first time, I didn’t get in.
The second time… I did.
That moment taught me something powerful:
Sometimes belief comes before results.
My love of sport carried me forward. It took me from high school to playing college volleyball in Alberta. After two years, I came back to Saskatchewan and got into the education program.
Again, not on the first try.
But I kept going.
Because once someone helps you see a different future, it’s hard to go back to the old one.
Building a Life Without a Blueprint
Around this time, I met my wife—my partner in everything we’ve built since. Not long after, we had our first child.
And life got real… fast.
I was trying to build something, but I didn’t know how.
My first business failed.
The second one had something different.
It had a purpose.
It had a mission.
It had a story.
It was built on the idea that the help I received growing up—the kindness, the opportunities—shouldn’t stop with me.
I wanted to create something that would give back to youth the way I had been helped.
Especially Indigenous youth.
But here’s the truth:
I had no business training.
No speaking experience.
No roadmap.
I was the shy kid who used to sit in the back of the room.
All I had… was a dream.
The Moment Everything Changed
The day my son was born, I submitted my first business plan competition.
I pressed “enter” on that application with no idea what would come next.
Soon after, I found myself standing in front of judges—like something out of Dragon’s Den—trying to pitch an idea I was still figuring out myself.
And in that moment, I realized something:
The only thing I truly knew how to do… was tell my story.
Your Story Is Your Power
For a long time, I believed no one would care about my story.
I thought, “Who wants to hear what I have to say?”
But I was wrong.
Your story matters.
Your story can uplift someone.
Your story can inspire someone.
Your story can even save someone’s life.
When you share how you’ve struggled, how you’ve grown, how you’ve helped others—you create connection. And that connection creates impact.
When You Hit Rock Bottom
One of the biggest turning points in my life didn’t come during success.
It came during one of my lowest moments.
My wife and I were living in a small apartment in Saskatoon. We didn’t know how we were going to pay for diapers, formula, or rent.
We found ourselves lining up for welfare.
And I remember feeling overwhelmed.
But something happened in that moment.
A light bulb went off.
I realized:
Sometimes your lowest points are preparing you for your greatest purpose.
We often ask, “Why is this happening to me?”
But in my experience, those moments are shaping you into who you’re meant to become.
The Decision That Started It All
Halfway through that moment, I turned to my wife and said:
“Let’s go back home. I need to talk to you.”
We went back to our apartment, and I said:
“I have an idea. If you support me, I’ll do everything I can to make this work. I don’t know how—but now is the time.”
She believed in me.
And that was enough.
Building Something Bigger Than Yourself
We started small.
From that apartment…
To a kiosk within three months…
To a storefront…
I was learning everything as I went.
How to hire people.
How to lead.
How to build something from nothing.
It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t easy. But it was real.
And over time, it grew.
What Truly Matters
As life got busier, as the business grew, as we had more responsibilities—something became very clear to me.
What makes it all worth it… is family.
An elder once shared something with me that changed my perspective forever:
If you want to live a purposeful life, follow this order:
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Put Creator first.
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Take care of your home—your spouse.
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Be present for your children.
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Then go out and serve your community.
Because when things are right at home, everything else becomes stronger.
When you’re grounded personally, you lead better professionally.
Creating Ripple Effects
As our business grew, so did our impact.
We began helping youth—coaching, mentoring, providing opportunities.
Eventually, we started offering bursaries to support Indigenous youth in pursuing post-secondary education.
And one day, I asked my mom a question:
“Who was the first person in our family to ever graduate?”
I didn’t know the answer.
She looked at me and said:
“You were.”
That moment hit me deeply.
Because it wasn’t just about me anymore.
It was about breaking cycles.
It was about creating new paths—for others to follow.
One Person Can Change Everything
Over time, this journey opened doors I never imagined.
I had the opportunity to meet world leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.
But what I realized is this:
Every single person has the ability to create impact.
Not because of status.
Not because of resources.
But because of one decision.
One act of kindness.
One moment of belief.
One choice to help someone else.
That’s how ripple effects begin.
Final Thought
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You don’t need a perfect plan.
You don’t need to feel ready.
All you need is:
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A belief that something more is possible
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The courage to take one step forward
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And the willingness to help others along the way
Because one day, you’ll look back and realize:
It all started with a single decision.
And that decision didn’t just change your life…
It created a ripple effect that changed the lives of others.
hiy hiy
