In 2017, Sean Alexander and his family built a home in the new community of Harmony, a lake community just west of Calgary. For a side business, outside of his oil & gas career, Sean began importing Standup Paddleboards (SUPs) to sell to his neighbours out of his garage in late 2019, branding them KAILANI. Shortly after that, he realized not everyone wanted to paddleboard, so he expanded his product range and began manufacturing and importing brightly coloured coolers and started initially selling them to his Friday night shinny hockey team. In early 2020, he found himself laid off from his job in the oil and gas sector, and that’s when he decided to go all in on his idea of starting an outdoor lifestyle company.
Eight months later, following a 7-day road trip through the interior of BC, he had secured $130,000 in purchase orders for his colourful collection of coolers, landing him a $1M investment with an Alberta-based private equity group. On November 2, Sean appeared in episode 7 of Season 18 on Dragons’ Den and secured a $1,000,000 deal with Wes Hall, $500,000 for 15% of his company and an additional $500,000 as an Operating Line of Credit. You can view the segment at https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/pitches/kailani.
Today, he is selling coast-to-coast in over 200 retailers, 120 Pro Shops, 50 Promotional Marketing Companies and successfully selling in his Amazon Canada Storefront. He is an Official Partner with PGA Alberta and as of Nov 28th, 2023, and just signed a 3 year Agreement as a National Partner with the CPRA, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, which is the sanctioning body for Pro Rodeo Events in Canada with 1100+ Athlete Members.
Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter
Comment contribuer à la pérennité de la fromagerie artisanale du Québec - Canada’s Podcast
Profits and Purpose with Jennifer St. John - Toronto - Canada’s Podcast
Enhancing lives and creating legacies - Calgary - Canada’s Podcast
Brand Strategist & Business Performance Catalyst - Vancouver - Canada’s Podcast
The key to a long career in pharmaceutical R&D - Calgary - Canada’s Podcast
Running a public company is a whole business in itself - Toronto - Canada’s Podcast
Elevating mental health through the science of float therapy - Calgary - Canada’s Podcast
Developing market intelligence tools for the construction industry - Calgary - Canada’s Podcast
Explaining why insurance policies, expectations and the reality of what you get, don’t always match up - Toronto - Canada’s Podcast
How to be a badass superstar seller - Calgary - Canada’s Podcast
Sharing successful entrepreneurial stories - Calgary - Canada’s Podcast
Creating a Culture for Success - Vancouver - Canada’s Podcast
Improving social outcomes and launching products into underserved markets - New Brunswick - Canada’s Podcast
Emphasizing safety and service in the trucking business
It helps to know that someone is in your corner to help solve challenges - Toronto - Canada’s Podcast
Believe in Your Vision - Vancouver - Canada’s Podcast
A passion for transformational businesses - Calgary - Canada’s Podcast
Supporting Staff for Success - Vancouver - Canada’s Podcast
Using video and social media to raise a business profile - Edmonton - Canada’s Podcast
Réussir dans la réadaptation intelligente en moins de 3 ans, un des succès de Sarah Lambert et Ora Médical - Québec - Canada’s Podcast
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Commercial Edge: Unleash the Power of People
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Organic Marketing Simplified: Master podcast marketing, fuel podcast growth, and make money podcasting!
THE GO BIZ GUY
The Sigma Femme Podcast
The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Habits and Hustle