Jacqueline Cook: Representing Canada at the G20 YES

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation has selected 30 dynamic young Canadian entrepreneurs to form the official Canadian delegation at the G20 Young Entrepreneur Summit (G20 YES) in Nice, France on October 31-November 2, 2011. The G20 YES is an annual international summit that brings together dedicated and influential entrepreneurs of the G20 countries. Jacqueline Cook is a Canadian delegate.

• My motto: “YOUR REALITY = YOUR DREAMS – YOUR DOUBTS.”  “If you work to minimize the doubts and continue to dream big, that left side of the equation will take care of itself.”
• Company name:  Thread Media
• Activity: Media/PR/Film Production/Communications
• Number of employees: 4
• Headquarters’ Address: 447 Christopher Rd., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CANADA
• Website: www.threadmedia.ca

Why did I become an entrepreneur:

I have never really questioned (or really thought of) myself as an entrepreneur. The query was rather: with which venture do I want to begin? Entrepreneurship is recognizing a need, transforming it into an opportunity, and leveraging existing networks and infrastructure to create value. Thread Media began in September 2010 as a small project, and has since grown into a local movement. The idea came from a study done on the city of Saskatoon by a consulting firm out of the United States to address a rising issue: how to retain our city’s vibrant young professionals. It soon became evident that there was no central connector in the city—no ‘core’ for the culture of our community—yet there was so much to showcase in our budding city. Formed by a group of four social entrepreneurs with interests and backgrounds in marketing, film, and business, Thread Media is connecting Saskatoon and injecting a fresh awareness into the city’s culture scene.

My best moment as an entrepreneur, my success:

The greatest reward in becoming an entrepreneur is, without question, the people I have met along the way. Whether clients, colleagues, event coordinators, accountants, lawyers, contractors—the mentors we have had the privilege of knowing and the lessons they’ve helped us learn have been invaluable. Nothing can prepare you for the speed bumps along the way, but mentors can show you how to maneuverer through them.

My next challenge:

Since we are still in the early stages of growth, we are looking to prove and enhance our revenue model. Online advertising is expanding and affecting all media vehicles, and is continually evolving as the leading platform for social marketing. With this in mind, we are looking to define ourselves in the digital, mobile, social, and local media spaces.