Wyatt Miller is the owner of Sparked Apparel. (submitted photo/Wyatt Miller)

By Derek Cornet

fashion

Miller named semi-finalist in entrepreneurial competition for third time

Jul 9, 2024 | 4:31 PM

Wyatt Miller, a member of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, is hoping the third time will be the charm in the Powwow Pitch entrepreneurial competition.

Once again, he has been named a semi-finalist in the competition that comes with a grand prize of $25,000. Miller made it to the final round in 2022.

In 2023, he failed to do so but was recognized with an honourable mention.

“Obviously knowing I have been here for a third time, I just know I am doing all of my stuff correctly and everything, and I am just trying to show to all of the judges that I do know what I am doing and I’m just trying to get to the finals in August,” he said.

“Last year, I made it to the semis and then in the semis, I got an honourable mention, which is more or less the reason I am trying again this year because I may have not made it to the finals, but I at least with the honourable mention, it lets me know that judges and everyone was liking my idea and my brand, they just didn’t see the vision fully.”

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Miller’s business is called Sparked Apparel and he has been operating it for three years. He believes he now has a strong chance of winning Powwow Pitch because he has seen year-over-year growth, and now works with a company in Pakistan to create clothing of his own designs.

Much of the work Miller has done so far has included upcycling other pieces of clothing and sewing them back together in unique ways.

“I’m thinking the biggest thing is just proving to the judges this is something that can be built on and can be sustainable,” he said.

Miller, who is from La Ronge but currently lives in Saskatoon, will make his next pitch to the judges on Aug. 13. Aside from Sparked Apparel, he has also been busy completing a diploma in design through the Toronto Film School. He hopes to receive his diploma at the end of September.

Powwow Pitch is a competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs to shine the spotlight on powwow vendors, artists, business builders and innovators from all backgrounds and industries, whether just starting or looking to grow to the next level. The 2024 competition includes $100,000 in prizes.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com