The story behind Calgary’s Champ2Champ: How newcomer Yaryna Motovylina became Canada’s exclusive Adidas Karate distributor 

For Yaryna Motovylina, karate has always been more than a sport. It’s a way of life. After building a network of karate clubs in Ukraine, she and her husband brought that passion to Calgary, where they founded Champ2Champ Equipment Inc., now the official and exclusive distributor of Adidas Karate in Canada. Yaryna shared with us how she and her husband turned their love of karate into two connected businesses and why she believes Canada is a place where any dream can be built.

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1. Please tell us about yourself and your experience as a newcomer entrepreneur in Canada. 

I moved to Canada four years ago. Back in Ukraine, we already had a successful business, a network of karate clubs, so we decided to bring our experience and knowledge here as well. During our very first year, we opened our first business, Champion Karate Club, in Calgary, Alberta. A year later, we launched another company, Champ2Champ Equipment Inc.

That first year was incredibly challenging. Immigration, the birth of our child and launching a new business all happened at the same time, in an English-speaking environment. But my husband and I have always had a strong desire to create something meaningful and ambitious. That mindset kept pushing us forward.

2. Please tell us about your business, its origin story, your mission and vision. 

Since our two businesses are so closely connected, I’d love to share a bit about both. My husband, Yevhen Motovylin, is a world karate champion. In Ukraine, we already had a network of karate clubs, so when we moved to Canada, there was never really a question about what we wanted to do here. For us, a karate club is much more than a business; it’s at the heart of everything we do. My husband is not only a coach but also a mentor. In fact, over the many years our athletes spend working toward a black belt, they become like family. That is one of the beautiful things about karate. Alongside free community events and activities for children, we also run competitions, summer camps and a comprehensive training program that helps students grow both physically and mentally.

The idea for Champ2Champ came later, when we started purchasing equipment for our students and realized there was an opportunity for another business. Local equipment suppliers often charged high prices and had inconvenient ordering systems, so we set out to bring more variety and accessibility to the market by partnering with a strong global brand like Adidas. That is how we became the official and exclusive distributor of Adidas Karate in Canada. Our mission is reflected directly in our name, Champion to Champion, by sharing expertise, knowledge and premium equipment with the next generation of champions.

3. What inspired you to start your own business in Canada? 

I think people who have experienced the entrepreneurial path can never fully walk away from it. The feeling of building something of your own and creating opportunities for others is incomparable. Yes, sometimes it is difficult and every entrepreneur faces challenges and burnout at some point. But the sense of freedom and possibility that entrepreneurship gives you is absolutely worth it.

4. What are some of your biggest wins since launching your business? 

My biggest wins are the people I work with. Business has its ups and downs, but the people who come into your life through this journey become the most motivating and inspiring part of it all.

5. How did Futurpreneur support your entrepreneurial journey? 

I am very grateful to the program for the opportunity to work with a mentor and to learn from someone who had already walked this path before me, including both the successes and the setbacks. I also really appreciate the access to resources, educational materials and online sessions with professionals across different fields. And of course, events like the Growth Accelerator, where we met 20 entrepreneurs who were all so different, yet so similar at the same time.

6. What advice would you offer to newcomer entrepreneurs starting their businesses in Canada? 

Don’t be afraid of absolutely anything. I truly believe that Canada is a country where you can build the business of your dreams. Here, almost anything is possible if you’re willing to keep working toward it. 

There is an incredible amount of support, resources and people willing to help you along the way. And as Adidas likes to remind us, “Impossible Is Nothing.” 

7. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about yourself as an entrepreneur? 

I learned that I am much stronger and more resilient than I thought. Entrepreneurship teaches you to adapt quickly, make decisions under pressure and keep moving forward even when things feel uncertain. I also learned that I genuinely love creating and growing things, not only businesses but also communities, opportunities and environments where other people can grow too.

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Ready to build your own success story in Canada? Yaryna’s journey shows that with determination and the right support, newcomers can build successful businesses and strong communities. Discover how Futurpreneur’s My Canadian Startup program, presented by TD Bank, can help you turn your idea into a thriving business.