KINGS COUNTY, N.S. — Determination.
That’s what drove 15-year-old hockey player Caelyn Parker to launch a business, and what makes her successful on the ice.
Now a Grade 10 student at Horton High School in Kings County, N.S., Parker was determined to find a way to pay for her own hockey fees after her mother became ill and had to stop working.
“I love the game of hockey enough that I wanted to be able to continue to play at a highly competitive level. I started my business to help pay for my hockey,” said Parker.
Her business idea literally fell from the sky. After a tree fell on her father’s car, Parker was struck with the idea to create smokeheads from the wood. Used for bonfires, a smokehead is hollowed out log with a design on the front. The log is designed to burn from the inside out, providing entertainment as the design changes while burning. Parker offers several basic designs and also creates custom artwork for weddings, graduations, birthdays or other events.
“My business is called Caelyn's Creations. I make smokeheads and other things out of wood such as tealight holders and signs that I then do artwork on by hand. There are no lasers in my shop. My artwork is painted and woodburned,” said Parker, who began selling her hand-crafted art three years ago, at age 12.
Parker’s business grew quickly.
“I started selling just to family and friends, but now it is bigger. My work is sold mainly through word-of-mouth and social media. I have now sold my pieces throughout North America and beyond.”
Parker first tried other options to raise funds but ran into roadblocks.
“I collected refundable bottles for a time, but there wasn't enough money in doing that. I wasn't old enough to be hired by a business and my busy training/playing/schoolwork schedule does not allow for enough work hours to help cover hockey expenses. Having my own business allows me to pick my own hours and work late at night after other responsibilities are taken care of,” said Parker.
One highlight was making a smokehead for one of her favourite NHL players, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, in August 2017. She later got the chance to meet Crosby for a photo.
On the ice
Parker plays defense for Station Six Fire Hockey, a Midget AAA all-female team with players age 15-18.
“Last year, I played as an under-ager on the Station Six Fire as well, and we placed fifth at nationals in Sudbury, ON. This year, we hope to represent again at the Esso Cup in Saskatchewan. My business, although it does not cover all of my expenses, helps me to continue playing.”
The team just played a best-of-five series with Cape Breton.
“We won, and so now will go on to the 2020 NS Provincial Finals starting this coming weekend vs. Pictou. The winner from this will go to PEI for Atlantics, with the ultimate goal being the Esso Cup in April out west,” said Parker.
Parker’s entrepreneurial and artistic efforts have achieved impressive success in a non-traditional field for women.
“It is nice to be able to be able to work with wood and have another outlet besides my music for creativity. Although I'm working in a traditionally male-dominated trade, I've been fortunate to have a tremendous amount of support locally. I would encourage other youth to consider starting their own business and to work hard for their goals,” said Parker.
Go online: More information about Caelyn Parker’s art can be found at http://caelynscreations.ca/
