This article is part of our 30th anniversary series, celebrating the young Futurpreneur-supported entrepreneurs shaping Canada’s economic future, as well as the mentors and partners who have supported them since 1996.
For Darion Ducharme, a proud member of Lac Seul First Nation now living in Winnipeg, building a business meant completely rethinking what it means to be successful.
Ten years ago, his dream was to buy a classic, air-cooled Porsche 911. He achieved that goal three years ago and eventually sold the vehicle at a profit. But hitting that major milestone didn’t bring the fulfillment he thought it would. Instead, it prompted him to rethink success and focus on purpose-driven growth.
Today, Darion is translating that mindset into action as the owner and founder of Teqare, a Winnipeg-based corporation that provides vital safety and digital literacy training to Indigenous communities across Canada.
Spotting a gap in the community
Before launching his business in 2021, Darion worked as a manager at Wow Mobile. He enjoyed offering unbiased advice to customers but his daily interactions revealed a troubling trend that hit incredibly close to home. Many Indigenous community members, especially Elders, were struggling to navigate their mobile devices, leaving them vulnerable to digital scams and losing access to essential services.
Darion saw a clear gap. No services focused on delivering technology literacy specifically tailored for Indigenous communities. As a proud member of Lac Seul First Nation, he felt a responsibility to help protect and empower both youth and Elders. “I really believe that every entrepreneur and every person has a calling in their heart,” Darion says. “And that calling is for a greater purpose to do something that’s incredible and it’s incredible for you.” For Darion, that meant answering his own call to community service. “If I was worth $300 million, I would still do what I am doing today,” he adds. “Doing the training for the kids and for the Elders warms my heart.”
Driven by this profound sense of purpose, Darion chose to step away from the corporate world to turn his calling into a reality for First Nations across Canada.
Finding support through Futurpreneur
Trading a steady, guaranteed paycheck to start a business is a significant leap, especially for young entrepreneurs who often face challenges accessing startup financing. But Darion found his turning point when he connected with Futurpreneur. Through Futurpreneur’s Indigenous Entrepreneur Program, he secured a startup loan that helped turn his idea into reality. This funding provided the essential capital to design a logo, incorporate the business, set up bank accounts and launch a professional website. It also gave him enough working capital to survive the first few months before launching Teqare. Without this early trust and financial runway, Darion admits the business likely would have remained just an idea.
Learning to navigate the speed bumps
In the beginning, Teqare operated on a small scale, with Darion visiting people one-on-one in their homes during the height of COVID-19. As the business began to grow, he ran into a major obstacle. A prospective client who had been discussing a $ 90,000 contract suddenly stopped responding. The setback left Darion feeling completely discouraged and uncertain about the company’s future.
Needing guidance, Darion reached out to his Futurpreneur mentor, Noah Wilson. The two met at a local First Nations cafe, where Noah listened carefully as Darion shared his concerns. “I knew he was cooking something up,” Darion remembers. “He had 10 amazing solutions that I could bring in right here, right now. It was amazing because I felt like he really cared and he came in a very serving way.”
Noah’s mentorship taught Darion a vital business skill: how to pivot. By listening to advice, Darion adapted his business offerings and attracted new opportunities. The shift brought almost immediate success, leading to a wave of new bookings.
A model of success by every metric
Five years after launching, Teqare is now a thriving company with a national track record of success. Darion and his team have delivered in-person workshops to over 70 First Nations communities, teaching essential skills in cybersecurity, financial literacy and navigating life in urban centres. Reaching remote communities comes with its set of challenges. In some cases, travel costs exceeded $3,400 per person.
Despite these barriers, Teqare continues to prioritize in-person sessions for youth and Elders, because of the stronger engagement and learning outcomes it can provide. As the company’s impact has grown, so has its visibility. Teqare has been featured on CBC, Global News and The Globe and Mail. That recognition has helped attract corporate sponsors who fund workshops in lower-income communities and schools. The business has also provided financial stability for Darion and his family, enabling him to support his wife and daughter at home while continuing to invest in future growth.
Looking ahead, Darion has a bold goal for the next three years: to expand Teqare into all 630-plus First Nations across Canada.
Face your fears and take the risk
His perspective is shaped by a profound personal loss. After losing his wife to cancer, he gained a deeper appreciation for how quickly life can change and the importance of pursuing opportunities while they are in front of you. Darion learned that when people are on their deathbeds, they do not think about their material goods or the things they failed at. They are haunted by the “what-ifs”. He urges aspiring business owners not to let fear block them from building something incredible. “Losing out on a contract isn’t failure, but giving up is failure,” Darion says. “So as long as you still have breath in your lungs, don’t give up on that dream. Don’t give up on that calling. Take that risk. It is so worth it.”
Ready to start your own journey?
At Futurpreneur, we believe that young entrepreneurs like Darion are helping shape Canada’s economic future. Whether you’re looking to launch a business, buy an existing company or grow your side hustle into a full-time career, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Learn more about Futurpreneur’s Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program or explore our core startup program featuring the financing and mentorship you need to succeed in Canada.
