Semi-Finalist Spotlight on Anthony Wingham, Nuez Acres
Meet Anthony Wingham, Co-Founder of Nuez Acres from Waceya Society, Langley. Anthony is a Pow Wow Pitch British Columbia Semi-Finalist. We sat down with Anthony to learn more about him, his business and his reflections on entrepreneurship.
PWP: What motivated you to start your business?
AW: My wife, Nancy Wingham, grew up in Mexico on a farm growing nuts as a way of life; harvesting using traditional, organic methods that bring out the best flavour and quality in our crops.
My wife and I began exploring using pecans to create value. That’s when I learned how nutrient-rich pecans are, and that’s when my wife and I decided to start Nuez Acres as a family business.
PWP: Can you tell me more about Nuez Acres?
AW: We grow, import, refine, bottle and sell pure pecan oil products for skin, hair and body care. Our products use natural ingredients free of chemicals or parabens.
We are based out of Langley, BC and import our pecans from my wife’s father’s pecan farm in her hometown of Parral, Mexico.
From ‘seed to skin,’ we oversee the entire operation with the support of one employee in Canada and my wife’s family in Mexico.
We have big dreams! We want to bring the pecan nut to the Fair Trade Commission board to support farmers like my father-in-law and the many more in the neighbouring towns.
Our dream is to ring the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange as our company goes public while supporting farmers across Turtle Island.
PWP: What has been the most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur so far?
AW: The most rewarding part has been to work with my wife and take a chance on our dreams. I love working on my ideas and seeing them manifest with each goal achieved.
PWP: What has been the most challenging part about being an entrepreneur?
AW: It is finding the balance between working and life. It’s essential to recharge myself to prevent burnout, especially when you are so passionate about what you do.
PWP: Why did you choose to apply for Pow Wow Pitch?
AW: I learned about Pow Wow Pitch through the Metis Nation of BC. I applied to get the exposure and a chance for funds to help us to realize our goals.
The best part so far has been the real sense of community amongst all of the Semi-Finalists and the chance to meet with three mentors to help me think about my business in different ways and prepare for my pitch.
PWP: What advice do you have for Indigenous people thinking of starting up a business?
AW: My advice is that you don’t have to conform to what society says you should be doing and you don’t have to be another statistic. You can create and operate a business that connects with the land and what our ancestors intended for us. Don’t let anything limit you, and do not give up.
To be successful in the longrun, consistency is essential and will get you through the hard days.
Get in the habit of writing down goals and crossing them off as you achieve them.
PWP: Thank you for chatting with us, Anthony! Good luck with the Semi-Finals.
You can support Anthony to reach the Pow Wow Pitch Finals by voting for him for the People’s Choice Prize. Click here to vote for Anthony. You can also watch Anthony Pitch at the British Columbia Semi-Finals Live on September 24, 2021, at 6 PM ET Click here to register to watch.