Dey Dos Magazine April June 2014 | Page 17

“ @freshmealinajar www.mealinajar.ca www.facebook.com/MealinaJar My only seasoning was hunger, and my only spice was anticipation. Guided by these questions, I started exploring a business model for delivering fresh meals to companies and campuses that lacked healthy and energizing options. Using the business model canvas and the lean start up methodology, I was fortunate to join a senior level Entrepreneurial incubator called the Laurier LaunchPad (www.laurierentrepreneur.ca/launchpad) By stroke of intention or magic, I came across a brand new product, while getting a haircut, called Meal in a Jar. After seeing the product, I immediately requested the name of the owner, a wonderful woman named Irene who was making the jars for some friends and family out of her home kitchen. Awestruck by the simplicity and functionality of the meal, I called Irene and asked to join the team. That moment kicked off an unfolding story that still mystifies me. We were recently featured in a national newspaper called the Globe and Mail (www.tiny.cc/MealinaJar) which outlines the start up story in more depth than I can share in this article. What have I learned as a drifter turned AIESECer turned entrepreneur? For the first time in my life, I see today as continuation of yesterd