Last year, I entered Powwow Pitch for the second time. It is an Indigenous business pitch competition based in Canada that gives Indigenous entrepreneurs the chance to share their ideas with the world. The first time I entered, I pitched my idea for PowwowPaint, a professional face and body paint line designed for dancers in the Powwow arena. The concept came from years of watching dancers use products that did not hold up under heat, movement, and long days on the trail. I wanted to change that.
I worked hard on my pitch and made it to the semi-finalist round. I did not move forward to the finals, but I was proud of what I had accomplished. I even drove ten hours to Kamloops, Canada, to present my idea live at their in-person event. That trip changed something in me. I went alone, with nothing but my notes, a few samples, and a belief that it was worth trying. Standing there in front of the judges, I realized that confidence does not come from being certain of the outcome. It comes from showing up anyway.
The following year, I decided to enter again. This time, I submitted two pitches: PowwowPaint and Tyler’s Styling Studio. I did not know which one would advance, but I wanted to give both ideas a chance. As of July 4th, I found out that Tyler’s Styling Studio had made it to the semi-finalist round. Once again, I did not reach the finals, but I felt nothing but pride. Each year I went a little further, grew a little stronger, and understood more about who I was becoming as an entrepreneur and as a creative.
When I started Tyler’s Styling Studio, my focus was on helping people discover their confidence through fashion. I believed, and still believe, that what we wear is an expression of who we are. Entering Powwow Pitch with that idea felt vulnerable. It meant sharing a part of myself that was deeply personal. Styling is not just my work; it is how I connect with people and help them see their potential.
Preparing for the pitch reminded me that the same skills I use in styling apply to business. Both require vision, preparation, and the courage to take risks. I spent days refining my one-minute pitch video, recording and re-recording until it felt right. I wanted every word to reflect authenticity, not rehearsed or forced, but true to the heart of why I do what I do.
The night before the submission, I watched the video one last time. I remember thinking how far I had come from that first trip to Kamloops. Back then, I was nervous and unsure of how my ideas would be received. Now, I felt a sense of calm. I was not chasing validation. I was sharing a story I believed in.
Powwow Pitch taught me more about confidence than any workshop or class ever could. It showed me that growth does not happen all at once. It happens through the process of showing up, even when the result is uncertain. It happens when you choose to try again after a setback.
Through both of my entries, I learned to trust my creative instincts. I saw how two very different ideas, PowwowPaint and Tyler’s Styling Studio, came from the same place of wanting to uplift others. Whether it is helping a dancer feel powerful in the arena or helping a client feel beautiful in their wardrobe, the goal is the same. It is about empowerment, self-expression, and pride in identity.
Powwow Pitch also connected me to a larger community. I met other Indigenous entrepreneurs who were turning their passions into businesses that represented culture, creativity, and resilience. Listening to their stories made me realize how much power there is in representation. We each bring something unique to the table, and when we share our ideas, we create space for others to do the same.
That experience continues to shape how I approach my work today. Every time I meet a new client, I think about the courage it takes to take the first step, whether that is walking onto a stage, submitting a pitch, or booking a consultation. Confidence is built through moments like that. It is not something you find once and keep forever. It is something you practice.
For me, Powwow Pitch became more than a competition. It became a reminder that creative ideas are worth pursuing, even when the path is unclear. It reminded me that effort itself has value. Each time I entered, I gained clarity about my goals and strengthened my belief that both of my ideas have purpose and potential.
When I look back on those experiences, what stands out most is not the rounds I made it through. It is the fact that I kept going. That persistence is something I carry into every project, every client meeting, and every new challenge.
Confidence does not come from never failing. It comes from building enough trust in yourself to keep trying.
If you’re ready to explore that feeling for yourself, I’d love to help you find a style that reflects who you are and where you’re headed.
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