This week's 5 Questions comes to you as I make my way from East Africa to South Africa to catch a live World Cup game!
Christine Lu is the 2010 Ontario President for Impact Entrepreneurship Group, Canada's fastest growing youth-run entrepreneurship organization. She recently graduated from University of Waterloo studying Psychology, French and Human Resources Management. Passionate about youth entrepreneurship and engagement, she's an active member within the entrepreneurial community that can be seen attending or volunteering at local startup events. Her past work experience includes customer service operations at Apple Canada and Research in Motion, project management at Shoppers Drug Mart and most recently social media marketing analysis at Speechbobble Inc., a Toronto-based startup She is also asocial media enthusiast and enjoys blogging about youth doing coolthings, fashion, entrepreneurship, technology on her blog www.christinelu.ca.
Having just graduated from University of Waterloo, my energy is now focused on helping Impact Entrepreneurship Group reach beyond its potential, building my personal brand and very soon to be starting on my path to my career. What motivates me everyday are the people I surround myself with. As they say, you got to surround yourself with the best to be the best. I am truly blessed to be working with some of the smartest, most talented and hardworking individuals that I know through Impact. I am constantly reminded at how much more I still have to learn.
Do you have any success start-up tips for people wanting to create a name for themselves in your industry?
In creating a name for yourself, it's all about putting yourself out there. Do a little research, find the local events that are happening in your area related to your industry, attend the events and start networking. You never know where a conversation or a random connection at an event may lead you down the road someday. Be open to helping others rather than focusing on yourself and what you are looking for. Another key tip for students who may find it difficult to pay for steep conference tickets is to find volunteering opportunities.
In your opinion why is Toronto a great place for cool tech start-ups?
Toronto's an awesome place that has the right culture and mindset that is open and welcoming to innovation and change. Geographically, it's located centrally which makes it easy for it to host large events where people will flock from different cities. As well, there are a number of organizations based out of Toronto that support entrepreneurship that make it easy for entrepreneurs to get the necessary support. Most recent example that comes to mind is the newly built Digital Media Zone at Ryerson University, providing open workspace for students with exciting ideas.
What's your favourite tech toy and social media site and why?
As I'm sure many others have already responded, I will have to say my BlackBerry is my favourite tech toy and Twitter is my favourite social media site. I've been a long time user of BlackBerry and having everything connected to my phone makes it something that is impossible to leave behind at home. I jumped on the Twitter bandwagon earlier last year and it has allowed me to connect with so many people in so many ways that would not have been possible otherwise. Though there are new phones, gadgets and social networks that are popping up everyday, BlackBerry and Twitter is my way to go.
Who would you say is one of Toronto's up and coming stars in your space and why?
Anfernee Chansamooth is someone that I've only recently connected with but from what I can see, he is certainly an inspiring fellow that constantly has ideas brewing in the back of his mind. Sharing his expertise with YSEC, another youth run organization promoting social change through entrepreneurship, I can see the drive and passion through his work.
Impact's goal is to create the next generation of entrepreneurs and help young entrepreneurs realize their true potential. Impact connects people,... [more]
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