Mashup Weekend: Pictou - The Courage to Share With Support

     After another successful #MashupWeekend in the books, it’s time to reflect on the thrilling experience that was felt in the room in Pictou. Plenty of ideas were shared, market research done and those little light bulbs on the top of people’s head, definitely had some spark!
      With an ear-to-the-ground approach of recruitment for our Mashup Weekend, we were happy to connect with the Coordinator of the NSCC Enactus team and we welcomed many members of the team to our Mashup Weekend, among many others. Happily, we had plenty of folks in and out of the room to hear the ideas that were being worked on and this only leads to ideas becoming stronger and more concise. We also welcomed local MP of the Pictou area Sean Fraser into the space.
      From this, ideas that were shared were both innovative and unique. While, numerous business ideas were pitched, an altruistic theme was shared amongst all in the room so; many of the ideas came to be structured around mental health issues. Ideas were approached differently but ultimately, they were centred on supporting those with mental health issues and the families of those affected by it.
     For some of the prospective entrepreneurs in the room this may be their first time ever pitching an idea so, the idea of it could be terrifying. That’s what we love about #MashupWeekend, having a supportive team around you gives you the courage to share something you typically wouldn’t, and it allows you to feel confident about what it is that your sharing!
     For someone to share an idea for a mental health centre is not something that would be ordinarily spoken about. However, with a supportive and encouraging environment created, the team feels the courage to reach out to numerous healthcare professionals over the course of the weekend to see if they believe the same things they did!
       While, for another it’s the confidence boost they felt to share an idea for a clothing brand they had mulling in their head for many years. Sharing this at #MashupWeekend made it all the more easier to take an idea they’ve been stewing on for a while and build a team to actually see the vision be put into action. With this confidence boost, they begin to see actual validation for their idea. This made it even easier to approach friends or family and tell them about the exciting idea they’re ready to share and ask if they’d be interested to support as well.
    This exciting energy that is shared at our #MashupWeekend is electric for all who come into the space. It’s scary for many to enter a space without knowing anyone to share an idea or critique another’s. However, once you get into the room and see supportive faces around you, those people who may initially cause you a bit of fear, will probably be your support network by the end of it.
     Check this video out below to hear what Andrew thinks about the type of feeling you get when you enter a space like #MashupWeekend and the sort of opportunities that come of it: