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 shaped by an unfortunate time in my life when I was living in another city and 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 motivational 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 a blog sharing the stories of local entrepreneurs.
After a few months, the concept for the 6rightest evolved. Working as a secondary school teacher in two of Canada’s largest metropolises, I’ve observed young students – whether they were newcomers, refugees or long-time residents, start their own businesses. While Gen Zers were ambitiously exploring entrepreneurship through start-ups and side hustles, I realized there was still little support for our out-of-the-box thinkers early on in high school.
This is where I saw a gap and asked a simple question: how can we do better?
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
“What we do now echoes in eternity.”
– Marcus Aurelius