Years in hospital inspires young patient to give back through student-run business

In 2020, he underwent a transplant and was able to get a new start at what seemed like a new life.

Now, the Grade 12 student has found a way to show his appreciation for the charity dedicated to supporting families with sick children in their time of need. Through a small clothing business he launched during his high school entrepreneurship class, Starycki is donating $1,381.63, which represents 20 per cent of the business’s total earnings.

“I’m fortunate that I’m in the spot to be able to donate that amount of money to Ronald McDonald House. They helped me a lot along the way and I just want to give them back a little bit of what they gave me.”

Starycki and his classmates Grayson Frolek, James Woytiuk, and Tristan Custer all helped to launch the clothing brand they call 306 Roots.

306 Roots shirts. (Image Credit: Rhonda MacDonald/ submitted)

“It all represents the roots of Saskatchewan: 306 meaning our area code, and the roots you have in the province,” said Starycki.

To get started, the students didn’t rely on school funding. Instead, they took pre-orders, which allowed them to use the money customers paid up front to purchase their first stock.

“We had many social media pages on Instagram and Facebook. We kind of just promoted it on our own pages and put billboards up in school,” Starycki added.

The response was bigger than they expected with orders pouring in, especially close to the holiday season.

306 Roots headwear. (Image Credit: Rhonda MacDonald/ submitted)

“We were busy all the time trying to keep up,” said Frolek.

That became a motivator for the group and taught them valuable lessons about working with customers, working as a team, and handling business stress. Those are some of the things the group said they will take with them as they graduate this year.

As the semester came to an end and leftover stock was sold, the group had one last decision to make: where to donate the proceeds.

“It wasn’t just me who made the decision,” said Starycki. “Our whole group agreed on it, and we all believe that what they’re doing there is very good.”

Earlier this week, members of the group delivered a cheque in person and received a tour of the Ronald McDonald House that once felt like a second home for Starycki.

From left: Grayson Frolek, Nate Starycki, and James Woytiuk presenting a cheque to Ronald McDonald House. (Image Credit: Rhonda MacDonald/ submitted)

As it turned out, the entrepreneurship class was never just about selling clothes for these students. It was a way to honour their community, celebrate their farming roots, and give back to a place that helped one of their friends get to where he is today.

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Read more about past entrepreneurship class projects:

Prairie Apparel: High school entrepreneurs turn business into community impact

North Battleford high school entrepreneurs brew up business with in-school coffee company

Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com

by Alyssa Rudolph

Years in hospital inspires young patient to give back through student-run business

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