Kermode Overlanding: Built for Adventure, Driven by Opportunity

For Chris Cathers, entrepreneurship has always been about creating opportunities, solving problems, and helping people experience the outdoors in new ways.

Owner of Kermode Overlanding, Chris has spent his career identifying emerging trends and turning them into successful businesses. A proud Cree Métis entrepreneur with roots in Saskatchewan and a lifelong Nanaimo resident, he is equally passionate about supporting his community. A former board member with the local Métis Nation, Chris continues to volunteer his time, helping create economic opportunities for Métis entrepreneurs across the Mid Island.

“I’ve always been an entrepreneur,” says Chris. “From delivering newspapers and picking fruit to running a property maintenance company, I was always looking for ways to build something of my own.”

After graduating from Malaspina University College, Chris built a career in publishing, advertising, marketing, and sponsorship. He later moved into digital marketing while continuing to explore new business opportunities.

A backpacking trip through Europe introduced him to camper van travel, inspiring him to build a fleet of camper vans on Vancouver Island. From 2012 to 2017, he rented out the vans, adding kitchens and other features to help travellers explore more comfortably. As demand shifted, so did Chris’s vision.

Recognizing a growing interest in rooftop tents and vehicle-based camping, he pivoted the business and imported a container of rooftop tents and awnings just before the COVID-19 pandemic. When outdoor recreation surged, demand for his products grew almost overnight.

That success led to the creation of RooftopTents.ca and eventually Kermode Overlanding, a company offering a wide range of overlanding, camping, and vehicle accessories. Named after British Columbia’s iconic Kermode, or Spirit Bear, the business reflects Chris’s belief in independence, adventure, and exploring the outdoors.

“I wanted a name that represented British Columbia and the freedom to go anywhere,” he explains. “That’s exactly what our products allow people to do.”

Today, Kermode Overlanding serves customers across Canada and the United States from its Nanaimo warehouse. Chris regularly travels internationally to discover new products and build relationships with suppliers, helping ensure his customers have access to innovative equipment and a strong local inventory. What he enjoys most, however, is the people.

“My customers want to make memories with their families and friends. Whether they’re young adventurers or retirees heading out on their next camping trip, they’re excited to explore. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and it’s rewarding to help people experience it.”

With financing and support from NEDC, Chris has expanded his inventory, attended international trade shows, and introduced new products that have strengthened the business and increased sales.

“I can’t say enough about NEDC,” he says. “They’ve given Indigenous entrepreneurs the opportunity to take control of their own future. Their knowledge, professionalism, and encouragement have made a real difference.”