A 91原创 man who founded a branding and marketing firm has been recognized as the Young Indigenous Entrepreneur of 2025 by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB).

Keenan Beavis, who is about to turn 30, founded and runs Longhouse Branding & Marketing, a digital marketing firm which currently employs 16 people.

Beavis began as an entrepreneur when he was still a teenager with a YouTube account. First he studied how to maximize his YouTube hits, and then expanded into selling T-shirts.

He turned his expertise into an online campaign to get more students for his jiu-jitsu school, and from that first client he eventually founded Longhouse Branding and Marketing. The company was named after the traditional gathering place of many Indigenous and Viking cultures, and symbolizes community, Beavis said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 inspiring to see Keenan鈥檚 ambition, passion, and commitment to fostering new talent as he continues to grow a successful business,鈥� said Tabatha Bull, CCIB president and CEO. 鈥淗is leadership reflects the strength and innovation of Indigenous entrepreneurs. This recognition is well earned, and I look forward to seeing all that Keenen will accomplish in the future."

He was nominated for the award by one of his colleagues, and found out a little while ago that he had won, but had to keep the news under his hat until the official announcement.

"It's very validating," Beavis said of the honour. "Our team is putting in so much work."

The award recognizes young Indigenous leaders who are under age 35 and have been driving the economy forward with their entrepreneurial efforts.

Beavis will receive the award at the CCIB's East Coast Business Forum and Awards Dinner on April 8 in Halifax, N.S.

He credited values instilled in him by his parents for his success, particularly reciprocity and hard work.

"Particularly as an Indigenous entrepreneur, this award is the result of a lot of little decisions," he said.

Beavis has been giving back with the Longhouse Business Award, which gives funds to young future entrepreneurs, which they can use either for education or to kick-start a business idea. 

There are five awards of $2,000 each to be handed out this year. Three of the five will be preferentially given to Indigenous applicants, who are either First Nations, Inuit, or M茅tis. The awards go to applicants under the age of 25.

Scholarships allowed him to start Longhouse in the first place, Beavis noted.

With regards to the path he's followed, Beavis said young people can bring their story and creativity to their work. 

"Any young person, take a chance on yourself," Beavis said.