By Melissa Nilan & Maia Odegaard, Marketing and Communications

You’ve seen them on the SkyTrain and walked past them at the mall. You’ve sat beside them in bus shelters and spotted them in newspapers… but just who are the people in our 50th Anniversary ad campaign? They’re not models; these are real Douglas students, working hard to achieve their educational and career goals — just like you

Kyanith has major league plans. He wants to work for the NBA as a coach, manager or physiotherapist. He’s also a clothing designer, and wants the team to wear warm-up gear he designed himself.

“I have so many ideas. It’s just a matter of putting them all together,” says the Sport Science student.

Kyanith came to Douglas to do just that.

“Douglas has opened up a lot of doors in terms of career options,” he says. “With the Sport Science Diploma, I can pursue physiotherapy or coaching or sport management. And Douglas is also helping me with my clothing line. I’ve taken electives in business and marketing, and I’ve been able to use my own company for projects.”

Read more: Meet Business student Navjot who came to Douglas to realize his entrepreneurial dream

Kyanith’s clothing line, Minty Brand Apparel, launched in 2020 with a winter-weather streetwear line. He’s working on expanding that collection, and will eventually add athletic wear to the line-up.

His affinity for fashion started in high school. Newly emigrated from Nepal, Kyanith made friends through his school’s basketball team. Off the court, he and his friends designed hoodies for themselves that became unexpectedly popular with other students.

 “It was a brotherhood thing. We branded ourselves the Minty Squad and got hoodies printed that we all wore. But then other people wanted to wear them, too. Rather than say no, I thought, why not make it accessible to everyone?

“I also thought I could use the opportunity to contribute to the community I grew up in by having the clothes manufactured in Kathmandu, Nepal, so it’s creating jobs over there,” Says Kyanith.

When he isn’t studying or designing clothing, Kyanith is moving his career forward in other ways. He’s the assistant coach for a local amateur basketball team, Rise Up Basketball, and works at a neighbourhood rec centre. And he’s just getting started.

Read more: BPEC student Sahara is hitting a homerun for Indigenous youth

“I’m working my way up the coaching ladder and getting involved with more teams,” he says. “I’m reaching out to influencers to help market my clothing, and I’m planning to connect with other coaches about providing branded warm-up gear for their athletes. There’s a lot to figure out still, but I’m on my way.”