AMBASSADORS

Nicholas Svaikauskas

Nicholas is the owner of Calgary Custom Concepts, a finish carpentry company recently relocated from Guelph to Calgary. With a decade of hands-on experience as a carpenter and six years as a firefighter, Nick brings a unique blend of craftsmanship and resilience to the table.

In 2023, fueled by his entrepreneurial spirit, Nick hung up his firefighter helmet to pursue the dream of growing Calgary Custom Concepts full-time. His journey is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and unwavering optimism.

Nick is not just a carpenter and business owner; he's also an author. His recent book, "Optimism 2023", shares insights into his optimistic outlook on life and business. With a focus on the next ten years, Nick's book inspires others to embrace positivity, face challenges head-on, and build a brighter future.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Nick finds balance through yoga, meditation, and cherishing moments with his wonderful new wife, a busy surgical resident. His commitment to well-being extends beyond the workshop, reflecting his holistic approach to both personal and professional success.

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Paige Knowles

Paige attended Lehigh Career and Technical Institute (LCTI) to study plumbing and heating during her high school years (2016-2020). In her time there, she gained a variety of knowledge, including technical and soft skills. A leadership-focused organization within LCTI, SkillsUSA, named her president for two consecutive years, and she was named one of only two “Outstanding Career and Technical Education Seniors” her graduating year, earning her the featured speaker title at her class’ senior recognition night.

Paige’s advocacy for the trades can be seen in her involvement in Let’s Build Construction Camp for Girls, being featured on multiple trade-related podcasts, promotional videos, and a documentary! She also holds ambassador positions at Kickass Careers, Observer tools, VIIZR, and TradesLink. She is a construction management graduate and current HVAC student at Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) and has taken public speaking courses to facilitate her speaking to over 5,000 students across the U.S. and Canada. These speeches have ranged from topics like exploration of the trades to finding a suitable career path and much more.

With 2 published children’s books and a plethora of content on multiple social media outlets, Paige is paving the way for the next generation of skilled trade workers. She hopes to encourage more students, especially girls, to break the “glass ceiling” and pursue a career path that they can be passionate about. 

When Paige isn’t focused on the trades, she enjoys spinning flags and weapons with her indoor color guard team, Moxie Guard, as well as finding new ways to be creative and build success.

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Emily Pyk

Emily Pyke is an automotive service technician at Heffner Lexus in Kitchener, Ontario. She found her love for cars in high school and has spent 8 years building a career around them. Emily is a mother of two young girls, and she is building a future where they can become anything they choose to be. Breaking down the stigma and bias around women in the trades has become more than just a pastime for her. She plans to continue promoting the trades to young people everywhere, with the help of TradesLink and their trades-focused app!