Embracing the entrepreneur spirit: How Y.E.S. shaped my ideas

As Nobel Prize-winning chemist Ilya Prigogine has said, “The way to cope with the future is to create it.” Motivated by this idea, in August I attended the Youth Entrepreneur Summit (Y.E.S.) in Vancouver, B.C. The summit expanded my entrepreneurial skills, strengthened my passion for innovation, and enhanced my leadership abilities.

Friends and family would often refer to me as a visionary, someone who works toward changing things for the better. This summer, I worked on growing through new experiences. During my time in Y.E.S., I developed such skills as teamwork, communication, and business leadership – skills important in developing an entrepreneurial spirit.

At this summit, different sessions worked to challenge me in some very creative ways to work cooperatively with others. The peak point was at the final round of my presented business model that got to hear some feedback from the more mature owners of businesses.

Thus came Clutter for a Cause – an innovative social entrepreneurship venture for raising funds for BC Children’s Hospital.

Reaching the final round was rewarding, and second place with a $100 Amazon gift card was something to be proud of. More than the prize, it simply reaffirmed my commitment as an aspiring entrepreneur.

Experiences, examples, and lessons in my life at Y.E.S. continue to teach me to tackle challenges thrown in my path, continue capturing opportunities, and are positive toward the future.