Life & Work with Michael Etcitty Jr. of LeChee, Navajo Nation

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Etcitty Jr.

Hi Michael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
It all began in 2007 when I met my business partner/friend. I was working one evening in loss prevention for a marina in Page, Arizona. He came in late with his family, and I helped them down to their houseboat, and we had a small conversation which led to an exchange of information. That consequently led to a new friendship which evolved into trust and a new apprentice for Mr. Smoot. After a conversation about what I wanted to do in my life and some goals, we both agreed that my first venture would take place in the Philippines, where I had made some lifelong friends. So, I packed my bags and moved to the Philippines at the age of 21 to learn “business” and help some unfortunate siblings who had lost their parents and lived in poverty with their auntie and grandmother for most of their adolescence. We had a goal and a bright future set for these three young men—the Cabaltica brothers. After spending about 4 years in the Philippines, learning, operating, and growing small businesses, Mr. Smoot donned a new opportunity that led us to our next venture; Kabul, Afghanistan.

In 2011, our company lawyer and I moved to Kabul, Afghanistan, where we established our first major corporation, Eagle Feather Energy. We spent about 1 year and a half between Dubai, UAE, and Kabul, Afghanistan. We were in the run of setting up a fuel import business to supply our US troops and military bases. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances and seeing that it was the height of the war on terrorism, we had to leave the country. It was a dream to have lived in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. To meet many wonderful people and make friends. I was very saddened to leave close friends/employees in Kabul, Afghanistan, to make our trip back home. Some years went by, and I had another opportunity approach.

In 2017 I returned to the Philippines to fulfill the Executive Vice-President position for Phil-Am Trucks Corporation. We imported semi-trucks from the US to the Philippines to help boost the booming economy. After a couple of years, the world declared a Pandemic due to COVID-19. We shut down everything and left the country to be back with our families and familiarity. A year goes by of quarantine, rules, and regulations, but we manage to use this time for planning, building, and finding new opportunities. In the year 2021 is when Eagle Feather Minerals was born. Mr. Smoot and I created the LLC and got to work. It took time, but we used patented nano-technology to manufacture our signature product, Mineral-Gro™. This all-natural fertilizer made from organic materials, including 78 trace-minerals, will revolutionize the current and traditional fertilizer market. We see a bright future for humanity within this product, a mission of Eagle Feather Minerals. Being a 100% native-owned company, we believe in caring for Mother Earth as she has done for us for millions of years.

Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Well, the Afghanistan venture was very “colorful,” to say the least. Being that we were always between Dubai and Afghanistan, we were always immersed in the rich of rich and poor or poor cultures. Although it was the height of the war on terrorism, we were still kept safe by our local partners. One struggle we had was with one of our local partners in Afghanistan, which led to the implosion of our work and, ultimately, our company. In 2020, the worldwide pandemic was a major disaster for many businesses, including ours, which collapsed our business in the Philippines.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Other than being a Native Entrepreneur, I have always had a dream of becoming an actor/comedian. Many bad and negative things happened during the pandemic, but many great things also sprouted from it. In late 2020, I decided to buy a new laptop and some editing software and get creative. I created my YouTube channel called Mikey Junior’s YouTube Adventures. I learned editing from YouTube tutorial videos and filmed as much content as possible. I started pushing out videos on the platform and gradually gained subscribers. Soon, I had over 7,000 subs and had created a Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok account. Each social media platform gained subscribers in big numbers due to the comedic content I was posting. I dream of starring in the videos I produced and directed. Soon my accounts reached an audience of over 48,000 people, and a producer and director contacted me. Mr. Holt-Hamilton invited me to crew on a film in Mesa, AZ, which led to new opportunities in Palm Springs, CA, and Hollywood, CA. In less than 2 years, I was crewing on some high-level movies starring actors such as Dermot Mulroney, Amaury Nolasco, Scott Adkins, Jamie King, Mekhi Pfiefer, Ryan Kwanten, and so many more, all from starting a small YouTube channel in 2020, that had only 7 subscribers for a very, very long time. To date, I still crew on production on films here and there in Phoenix or Hollywood. I am still active with my social media and acting on them. I am in the works of creating a set to be able to travel to schools for inspirational speaking.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
NEVER GIVE UP. Don’t live too long in the past, be present at the moment and plan but don’t live there either.

Pricing:

• 1 Pint Mineral-Gro™ Liquid TnT $25.00
• 1 Quart Mineral-Gro™ Liquid TnT $43.75
• 1 Gallon Mineral-Gro™ Liquid TnT $150.00
• 55 Gallon Drum Mineral-Gro™ Liquid TnT $3,850.00
• 275 Gallon Tote Mineral-Gro™ Liquid TnT $16,500.00

Contact Info:

• Website: www.eaglefeatherminerals.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eaglefeatherminerals/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eaglefeatherminerals
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@eaglefeatherminerals
• Other: https://linktr.ee/mikeyjuniortv