At the age of 11, Nation North is likely Sudbury’s youngest entrepreneur.
In January of this year, the tween obtained his Ontario Master Business Licence and created an aerial drone business called Sky Nation Productions.
Last year, he sold Christmas ornaments and earned enough money to purchase a micro drone with a high-resolution camera (under Transport Canada rules, operators of drones under a certain weight don’t need drone pilot certificates).
“I’ve always loved remote control vehicles when I was a kid,” said Nation.
“More recently, I was fascinated by drones. I got a drone, but I realized there were better drones than what I bought. I raised money by selling Christmas ornaments to get a better drone, and then I came up with having a business.”
Sky Nation Productions’ services include aerial drone photography, aerial drone videography and search and rescue for lost pets.
Check out some of the amazing drone footage Nation has up on his YouTube page below.
This past winter, Nation was called in to aid in the search of a lost golden retriever.
The owners had been searching in the Long Lake area after getting a tip that the dog may be there, but through his work, Nation was able to determine that the dog that had been spotted was a different one entirely. Unfortunately, the missing dog wasn’t found.
Nation, who is homeschooled, is one of six children in his family. His mom, Tammy North, said in starting his own business, Nation is following in the footsteps of his dad, an entrepreneur who runs his own contracting company.
“I’m super proud of him,” said Tammy. “He’s shown a lot of maturity in the last year in that area. It’s just nice to see a young person that’s outgoing and wants to be able to interact with other people.
“I know this COVID has not been easy. It’s been nice to see him talking with not only his peers, but also adults as well, and doing business transactions, and just growing in his confidence. It’s fantastic.”
To launch his new website, SkyNationProductions.com and to promote his new business, Nation has launched a city-wide contest, the “Most Amazing Home in Greater Sudbury.”
Homeowners in the Greater Sudbury area can enter by inviting Sky Nation Productions to come take aerial drone photographs of the exterior of their homes.
A photograph of their home will then be posted to the Sky Nation Productions Facebook Page, where voting will begin Aug. 1, and end at 4 p.m. Aug. 31. The homeowner whose photograph receives the most Likes will be awarded the Grand Prize.
The Grand Prize consists of the “Break my Piggy Bank” Package, which has a $300 value, and one $100 Costco gift card towards the purchase of photography prints of their “Most Amazing Home in Greater Sudbury.”
Learn more at SkyNationProductions.com.
