Quebec canine sports enthusiasts are delighted with the career change that Renaud Trudel Boisclair and his lover and partner Lorraine Hélie have made by starting Nahak Sports . The great canicross enthusiasts put their passion to good use in a project to custom design, manufacture and distribute high-end harnesses, collars and leashes for dogs.
Career reorientation
Today's Quebec takes care to show inspiring models of entrepreneurs and to promote entrepreneurship in educational institutions. It was different just a few years ago, when Renaud was studying at university: “I didn't even know that entrepreneurship was possible! I thought I had to follow the study and work pattern . I had no role models. Being an entrepreneur seemed unattainable. »
After graduating from Université Laval in agronomy, the young man began his career within government agencies. Lorraine, also a civil servant, has a job in a laboratory. After four years in office, Renaud is fired by his boss due to a lack of funding for the projects he is working on.
“Lorraine and I have been life partners for over 11 years. We ran a shelter of over 30 active young dogs. That's how we discovered harnessed sport. To meet our needs and satisfy our quality requirements, we started designing harnesses in our basement with an old sewing machine. What was supposed to be a sideline started to take more and more of our time. It was then that we noticed the enthusiasm for this type of product and the absence of high-quality suppliers. »
It was therefore in 2015 that the couple began to work full time on this promising business project. In order to validate the business model and test the market, Renaud is taking business start-up training, which allows him to develop his entrepreneurial skills and acquire knowledge about starting a business. “Being an entrepreneur is a revelation for me! I will never do anything else again. I quickly get tired of a routine. To meet his need for diversity, Renaud takes care of taking photos, managing Nahak Sports' website and social media . He also manages customer service and research and development.
Happiness at work
The manufacturing sector is undergoing profound transformation and the tailoring profession has been experiencing difficulties for more than a decade: factory closures, relocation of production, promotion of higher education to the detriment of manual trades, to name but a few. Such a context could have discouraged the duo of entrepreneurs, but it is not so.
“We started by doing production in our 16-by-20-foot garage, heated with wood, until, two years later, it became impossible to meet the demand of our first 70 points of sale. Since 2017, the 10,000 square foot factory has been located in Laurier-Station and has hired about ten seamstresses and a representative and operates four days a week.
Renaud and Lorraine make it a point of honor to provide the best possible working conditions: “Transparency in management is a very important aspect for us. We listen to the needs of our employees, we offer group insurance and we do not use subcontractors. We trust our specialists in the design of our products. Everything is made in Quebec, by experienced seamstresses. »
As proof, the company was named the winner of good human resources practices in the category of 30 employees or less during a recognition gala organized by the Lotbinière Community Development Aid Corporation. It was not the first award won by Nahak Sports. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the SADC, the company had been named a favorite by the jury and, previously, it had won the title of visionary business project by the teaching team of the launch training of business.
As I was finishing writing this article, Renaud told me of a major new endorsement: "I have just learned that I am the recipient of the $25,000 honorary scholarship sponsored by the Ministry of 'Economy and Innovation! I won't hide that we're really excited and proud of it all. »
Community and promotion
It is by wishing for a more active community that Renaud and Lorraine have given themselves the mission of democratizing harness sports in Quebec, Canada and more recently internationally. “We want to encourage owners to go outside, to play with their dog. Yes, our canicross range is aimed at a more athletic customer, but we also offer a more urban range for walking. »
To promote this way of life, Renaud looked to his network of friends for representatives for his brand. Over time, the community of 12 Nahak Sports ambassadors has contributed to the brand image of the company and to growing enthusiasm for harness sports. Entrepreneurs are also present in various races throughout Quebec and raise funds for the cause of animals.
Ambassadors Nahak, Louis and Teddy
With intelligently designed products, customizable to the customer's taste and made with durable materials by local seamstresses, the company has managed to carve out a place for itself on the shelves of no less than 150 points of sale, mainly in Quebec and English Canada. Anticipating a diversification of products, particularly for the urban range, Renaud is confident of the short-term expansion of his company. Added to confidence is pride: “At first, we just wanted to make a living from it. Now we are creating wealth! The work of our team is what makes me most proud. »
For more information about the company, visit its member profile .
Reviewed By Melanie
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