Dorothy Engelman, Senior Partner and Owner, q Media Solutions; Founder, Getinvolved.ca Recently named as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN), Dorothy Engelman combines the business savvy of the Fortune 500-connected digital entrepreneur with the passion and heart of an inspirational storyteller. A former documentary film producer, she is co-owner and Senior Partner of Toronto-based q media solutions, creating programming, commercials and integrated content for clients. An active volunteer, Dorothy parlayed her expertise and that of q media into the creation of getinvolved.ca, a social web community that matches organizations and individuals who want to make a difference. This is part of a series of “Lived It” lectures in the program, sessions that offer a great opportunity to hear firsthand and ask questions about the experience of starting up an innovative company from people who have seen it and done it.

2. Dorothy Engelman
Co-Owner, Sr. Partner

3. Innovation (social or not)
Innovation is a formula with no
right or wrong answers. So while
it’s based on math, for me, it’s
really a mysterious alchemy of…

4. n
A+T+RN
=SI

6. A= Accidents
T= Timing
n
RN = Relationship
between nature to the
power of nurture
= SI Innovation or social
innovation

7. A= Accidents

8. T= Timing

9. n
RN =
Relationship between nature

10. to the Power of n: nurture

11. Starting q media with my husband
which lead to development of our
business model
= SI Social Innovation

12. 7?’s
7 Lessons

13. Question 1
What is the value of your
idea?
If you build it will they
come?

14. Lesson 1:
The idea is not the big
idea.
Execution is the big idea.
Execution makes the big
idea successful.

15. Question 2
Is there an entrepreneur
in your DNA?

16. Lesson 2:
Know yourself and figure out who
and what skills/expertise you are
missing. Age? Experience?
Or someone that balances or
complements you for, or against risk.

17. Question 3
What is your risk
tolerance?

18. Lesson 3:
You have to take risks, emotional,
personal, professional and financial
risks to build a business, or create an
innovation.

19. Question 4
Do you have the
perseverance to make it
over the long-haul?

20. Lesson 4:
It’s hard. It’s okay,it might
take you 2 or 3 attempts
before you find your way.

21. Question 5
Do you know how to
collaborate?

22. Lesson 5:
Collaborating internally and with
like-minded partners is critical to
succeed in a social enterprise.
Funding /Outreach /Sustainability
Engage all potential stakeholders
Private/Public/NFP

23. Question 6
Do you know why you want to start
a business?
What do you want from the
business?

24. Lesson 6:
Before you start a venture with
group, or on your own, reflect on
your own values. Know what you
want out of the business. Fame?
Fortune? Change the world?

25. Question 7
What kind of business do you want
to build? What kind of culture do
your want to create?

26. Lesson 7:
It’s not personal. It’s business.
Wrong. Ridiculous.
Your enterprise is an extension of
who you are and your values.

27. Conditions for Success
1. Technology.
2. Network.
3. Team.
4. Research.
5. Resources.