After hanging up his skates and returning to Thunder Bay, Mackenzie Lockyer didn’t have far to look for a career outside the rink. Considering his family’s history, it was obvious where the next step would take him.

“From a young age I have been very curious about business and different business models, including those used by my family,” Mackenzie says. “With this great family resource, I had a strong desire to follow this family tradition.”

It’s a notable history. His great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, even aunts and uncles, have all branched out into the business world. His father, John, once an international-level ski jumper, operates ACO Computer and Electronic Solutions,which offers computer and electronic products, as well as installation, warranty support and repairs.

With dreams of life as a professional hockey player on the back burner, it was natural Mackenzie would develop an interest in his father’s business. Today, the 21-year-old is the managing partner of a spinoff enterprise, ACO Marketing.

“With our recent expansion, we look to continue the growth of our portfolios while not venturing too far from our core products and service,” Mackenzie says.

ACO Marketing offers a wide range of services, from graphic design and printing to fundraising for non-profits, special event video and photo production as well as social media management.

“Whether it be a business we are helping to produce more sales for, a successful ad campaign, or an event, it is an addictive feeling that drives me back for more,” Mackenzie says. “I truly love what we do at ACO.”

He credits his parents and grandparents with instilling a strong work ethic and providing important life and business lessons. His decorated hockey career also played a role, taking him from the Kings organization to the junior A ranks. He learned resiliency, accountability, social skills, and developed the emotional intelligence needed to succeed in a team environment.

But without question it’s the core values of ACO Computer and Electronic Solutions that resonates.

“My father made it clear, not only to his staff but also to his customers, that ACO delivered exceptional customer care and no request was to be turned down,” Mackenzie says. “Witnessing the success created from these core values, I made sure to follow that model.”