Symbol of an innovative future - at 14

By SIMON COLLINS

At age 14, Northland's Scott Boyd describes himself as a "thousandaire". That's not quite a millionaire - yet.

The Kamo High School fourth- former has built up a business making designer skatewear, and now supplies garments to 17 outlets around the country.

But he's not content with that. "I want to have factories right around the world producing top-quality gear - and safeguard employees, like Stephen Tindall."

Scott was yesterday hailed as a symbol of New Zealand's innovative future by Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton at the end of the Innovate Conference in Christchurch.

The Ministry of Maori Development, Te Puni Kokiri, paid for the Tuwharetoa teenager's trip, during which he was mentored by Jeremy Moon, whose Icebreaker brand is the world leader in merino adventurewear.

Scott's entrepreneurial start was in facepainting and selling avocados from his neighbour's orchard.

But he didn't make enough money out of these and so as an 11-year-old started his business Etaks (skate spelt backwards).

He started with a teeshirt, then three hats for his friends. He bought the hats at the retail price, put his Etaks label on them and made a net profit of $3.

Next he branched out to hooded sweatshirts, then shorts and button-up shirts.

He arranged a bulk supply of the garments, which are now made for him in Auckland and Hamilton.

His first retail outlet, in September 2000, was Whangarei's Inferno. "The guy had been waiting for me to come in. He said he saw some boys wearing my hats."

In the school holidays, Scott goes on business trips with his mother. So far they have signed up 17 shops from Northland to Nelson.

He handles the marketing himself, including sponsorship of five skateboarders between Whangarei and Te Awamutu who gave skating demonstrations at the recent Parachute music festival in Matamata and at Whangamata.

In the next five years, Scott plans to get his clothes throughout New Zealand and Australia, take his skating team on a national tour and open his own factory.

Then he wants to take on the rest of the world: "I want it to be the number one surf/skate label worldwide."

Herald features:

Proud to be a Kiwi

Entrepreneurs

Global Kiwis

Our turn

The jobs challenge

Common core values

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