Ottawa-area Indigenous teen expands scrunchie business to Greater Sudbury

A young Indigenous entrepreneur whose scrunchiesand other creationsare sold across Canada has expanded her business to Greater Sudbury, with the launch of a scrunchies vending machine.

Mya Beaudry, 13, started making and selling scrunchies in 2019 whenshe was just nine years oldas a way to give back to youth in her community near Ottawa.

The business, Kokom Scrunchies,sells scrunchiesmade from handmade Kokom scarves. The patterned material is significant in First Nations culture.

Mya isoriginallyfrom KitiganZibi Anishinabeg First Nation, an Algonquin First Nationin Quebec. Kokom means grandmother in Algonquin.

The businesshas grown, with products available in 40 stores across Canada and through two vending machinesone in Ottawa and now one in Greater Sudbury.

Mya celebrated the launch of herscrunchie vending machine at the New Sudbury Centre on May 11. It'sthe first of its kind to open in northern Ontario.

"It went really, really well. We had a drummer for the opening ceremony, and it was amazing," said Mya.

As well as scrunchies, the machine is stocked with scarves, headbands, makeup bags, shoe lacesand lanyards that are also sold on the company's website.

Mya said she has family in the Sudbury area andwanted to be able to sell her products to them and other community members. Her family will help keep the machine stocked when sheisn't able to make the trip from Ottawa.

Mya's mother, Marcie Beaudry, said they also chose the Sudbury location for its ties to First Nations communities.

"Sudbury is such a northern hub for a lot of different Indigenous communities," said Marcie.

"And to see an Indigenous and First Nations presence in that mall is, you know, it's the first of its kind."

Marcie said they appreciate the management at the New Sudbury Centre for being supportive of their idea to install the vending machine and working with themthrough the process.

"We really appreciate, you know, building that relationship and that connection with the New Sudbury shopping centre to allow an Indigenous youth to come in and show Sudbury and other youth that anything is possible."

Myahopes her business success will keep inspiring others to follow their dreams and goals, especially other Indigenous youth.

"For other people that want to start a business, I just want them to have confidence to put [themselves] out there, and just have someone to look up to."