Bright Minds, Bright Future

After spending a day recently witnessing 15 teams pitch their ideas at the finals of McGill University’s Dobson Cup Business Plan Competition, I realized that I would never make it as a venture capitalist and definitely make a lousy judge.  I wanted them all to win.

I also realized that the future of entrepreneurship looks bright, really bright.  These young enthusiastic minds are bursting with ideas and the Dobson Centre’s director Greg Vitt, wants to ensure they stay on track when the roadblocks appear.

Asked to keep the dialogue alive by offering to mentor the students long after the competition ends, judges are encouraged to pick the groups/ideas that appeal to them.  We can coach, invest or just cajole.  I chose two students who have probably less to learn from me than I have to learn from them.

One, a PhD student in Neuroscience, wants to start a fitness company.  Another, a former Olympic champion skater, wants to run a beverage business.  And I have something to offer them?

I do.

Why is it that 2/3 of new businesses don’t last 24 months?  And that only 1/3 of those left standing will make it to year five? Simply put, it’s because we give up too easily.  No matter how great a business plan, in the tough moments when you really want to give up, it’s the greater purpose of the business you’re struggling to build that carries you beyond “I can’t do this anymore” to “I am success.  I can make this happen.”

My job is to help them dig and discover within themselves that purpose that will keep their motor driving no matter what.  All the outside mentorship and encouragement are peripheral to them finding that inner core of strength and purpose.

Sounds like a good life strategy as well.

Meet ‘The Hot Plate’

Grandma Emily’s is encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs with a sponsorship of Amanda and April, two recent graduates of McGill University, and their new online cooking show – www.thehotplate.net.

In their own words, “Amanda Garbutt, Host and Co-Producer, and April Engelberg, Creator and Co-Producer, met on their first day at McGill University in 2006 and became great friends. After a few tasty dinners at Amanda’s apartment, April envisioned The Hot Plate as a way to engage fellow McGill students in the kitchen. Amanda accepted the challenge of creating resourceful, yet delightful dishes that inspired students to improve mealtime. It was Amanda’s first time being on camera and April’s first time producing a show.”

After winning the 2009 business plan competition at McGill, the girls got serious and www.thehotplate.net was born.

The Hot Plate puts an innovative spin on student-friendly cooking. Taking the guess work out of gourmet, The Hot Plate provides delicious, fresh, and cost effective meal ideas that won’t break the bank.

Grandma Emily’s Granola, owned by McGill alumna Andrea Courey, has close ties to McGill’s Entrepreneurship Centre, lecturing regularly and mentoring students. When approached by the centre to meet with April and Amanda, the fit was a win-win.

Using our 100% Organic Maple Peanut Butter Granola, The Hot Plate created a salmon and granola main dish – http://thehotplateblog.wordpress.com/2011/05/04/mains-in-a-snap-salmon-with-granola-crust/ . The recipe blog of step by step pictures and easy instructions is supported by a short, fun video of Amanda in action in the kitchen.

Our first contest is on their site too. Send in a recipe from your grandmother and be eligible to win a basket of Grandma’s goodies.

For on-the-go, freezer-friendly and crowd pleasing dishes for chefs on a budget, the site is fun, practical and the videos are great to watch. After years of making quick dinners to feed three hungry kids, I’m rediscovering the fun of cooking with Amanda’s cheerful breezy pace. Try the warm sweet potato and lentil salad. Delicious.

I’m also learning a thing or two about granola. It’s definitely not just for breakfast any more. Watch for the brie and granola recipe coming soon… Go girls go.

Best, Andrea