Startup Canada Podcast Swift Shift: Changing the Game with Zechariah Thomas
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Jul 1, 2025 
Zechariah Thomas, CEO and founder of Swift Hockey, discusses his transformation from pro hockey player to entrepreneur. He tackles the high costs of hockey equipment, advocating for affordable high-performance sticks to make the sport accessible. Zechariah shares his journey of resilience and innovation amidst challenges in establishing his brand and navigating competitive markets. He emphasizes the importance of social media marketing and inclusivity, particularly for aspiring young athletes and women's leagues, aiming to disrupt the expensive hockey gear industry.
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Power of Social Media Marketing
- Social media is Swift Hockey's strongest marketing channel.
- Authentic messaging about affordability and impact drives customer engagement.
High Barriers to Pro Adoption
- Breaking into professional hockey leagues requires paying hefty approval fees, often $100,000 per player.
- Such costs create significant barriers for new equipment brands like Swift Hockey.
Mom's Idea Boosts Dragon's Den Pitch
- On Dragon's Den, Zechariah creatively used a hockey net target stunt inspired by his mom to engage investors.
- The stunt got the Dragons to physically try the stick, boosting credibility and visibility.