Ticket to success

While most 18-year-olds with a borrowed credit card would go on a wild and reckless spending spree, Kendal Harazny was different. Instead of buying frivolous gadgets and gizmos, the former Regina resident used the opportunity to start a small business.

Four years ago, when Kendal won concert tickets from a radio station, he put the tickets up on eBay to pay for a snowboarding trip. Within hours they sold—for a good price. It gave him an idea: Buy tickets for in-demand events and resell them online for a profit. His friends thought the concept was killer… his parents were less than thrilled.

“They are very risk adverse,” explains Kendal, “so when I asked them to use their credit card at the start, they were quick to say no.” Luckily, an older cousin loaned him a card with a $4000 limit. TicketGold came to pass as full service, licensed ticket brokerage. Slated to top the million-dollar mark in revenues this year, the company employs 16 full and part time staff.

This success allows the full-time U of A business student, now 22, the luxury of driving a black Hummer H2 to class.

In addition, Kendal’s keen business sense earned him the 2006 ACE—Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship—CIBC Canadian Student Entrepreneur of the Year award. He’ll represent Canada at the global competition in Chicago in November. The recognition prompted multiple job offers, but Kendal intends to retain a lucrative share of TicketGold, regardless of the other opportunities.

“I am also a firm believer in a well-rounded education. Any student can sit in the library all day and get a 4.0, but the students who are going to be leaders and innovators are the ones who get involved in conferences, community events and competitions.”

Kendal volunteers with Junior Achievement and a variety of university organizations, including serving as co-chair of RoundTable ’08 which will welcome Canada’s top business students to Edmonton. Along with three friends, he once slept outside during 5 Days for the Homeless, raising more than $25,000 for the Youth Emergency Shelter Society.

Long-term plans? Kendal imagines lying on the beach on the French Riviera in five years. “It may not be realistic, but I would rather be on a beach than in an office.”

Given his early financial success, his dream could be thwarted by his entrepreneurial passion and spirit. √

Photo by Teresa Wallsten