Launching a business right out of university seemed to be no problem for Langley’s Keenan Beavis, founder of Longhouse Consulting.
What has been a problem, however, is finding a student to receive Longhouse Consulting’s Aboriginal youth mentorship award – a $1,000 scholarship and internship opportunity – because not one single student has applied in the two years the award has been around.
“I wanted to give back to the community that raised us, so that’s what kind of inspired the award. I’ve grown up my whole life here,” explained Beavis, who graduated from Langley Secondary School in 2013.
Beavis’ Murrayville business launched in 2017, and is a consulting company that specializes in digital solutions for businesses such as website building, digital advertising, social media management, content creation, and more.
According to Beavis, the scholarship is for an Aboriginal student, because Beavis himself is Metis.
While studying business administration and finance at the University of the Fraser Valley, and launching his business, Beavis explained he was on the receiving end of various scholarships and funding.
“People don’t know that they [scholarships] exist. That’s how I had success funding my education. I went to every local business, I was sending them emails about scholarship opportunities. People would get back to me saying ‘hey you’re the only person who applied so here you go.’ I think people just aren’t looking for it,” explained Beavis.
The recipient of the Longhouse Consulting scholarship will also be offered the chance to intern at the company and learn skills such as entrepreneurship, web design, digital marketing, and graphic design.
“These are skills that are really relevant in the workplace that you probably won’t get from your university education. They’re the soft skills that fill the gaps,” added Beavis.
Beavis said his interest in business sparked at a young age, and has always been his “skill set.”
“I grew up with an entrepreneurial spirit. By the age of four I was going door-to-door selling bugs I collected in my yard. I don’t know why people bought them from me – I must of had a good smile – but I always had that drive,” he elaborated.
An internship would take place whenever the recipient is available, depending if the recipient is interested in the learning opportunity or not.
In the future, Beavis hopes to offer more video production services for his clients, expand the company, and give away the scholarship money.
For a full application criteria and to apply for the scholarship, visit: https://www.longhouse.co/mentorship-award/