Story

The origin story of the 6rightest is a testament to eternal optimism, the power of people skills and a certain courage that only comes from feeling defeated. My interest in entrepreneurship stems from my experiences working for start-ups, but it was actually most influenced by an unfortunate time in my life when I trusted the wrong people. I was deceived, manipulated, and swindled out of money. Broken, pushed by my increasing anxiety, and pulled by my love for Toronto, I came back home to the Six. After a year of kickass podcasts in my ears, great books enjoyed in silence, and rejuvenating jogs by the lake, I pieced myself back together. And one day I woke up and I was myself again. Knowing that I am happiest when I write, I decided to write for me, and launched the 6rightest, originally an online magazine sharing the stories of local entrepreneurs.

After a few months, the concept for the 6rightest shifted. Working as a secondary school teacher in two of Canada’s largest metropolises, I’ve observed young students – whether they are refugees, immigrants, locals or cosmopolites, start their own businesses. While Gen Zers of all races and backgrounds are ambitiously innovating, and the number of start-ups and side hustles opening every year is on the rise, I realized there is little support for our out-of-the-box thinkers early on. So I thought, how can we do better? This is where I saw a gap and decided I could be the one to fill it. Inspired by the great entrepreneurs I meet, and the hopeful students I teach, the 6rightest became a non-profit supporting young aspiring entrepreneurs. Through starting my own entrepreneurial journey and sharing my story, it is my goal to help the next generation of thinkers to see that nothing can stop a bright idea.

Elżbieta Chmiel
Founder & Executive Director