Renata joined GreenHouse last fall after hearing GreenHouse director Tania Del Matto make a presentation in one of her environment classes. She came in with some big ideas about green building connected to her program, but when she had the opportunity to practise pitching an idea to a first-year class, she thought she needed something more concrete.
She began thinking about her experience as an avid outdoor enthusiast, trying to discover recreation opportunities in the area. Her social venture is called AdNature — a website where people can search an outdoor activity they want to do, such as tobogganing, then find what is available in the area, how to get there, and if there is a cost involved. Her fellow GreenHouse students got excited about her idea, encouraging her to focus on the project and helping her develop the idea.
Renata credits Richard Yim, a fellow GreenHouse student, with helping her get her idea ready to pitch.
Richard had so much experience with pitching. We sat together for a few hours over a few days whenever we were free and he helped me learn how to do a pitch and make it successful.”
Renata explains that she is relatively shy and takes time to develop ideas, but that her peer-to-peer coaching as well as the experience of pitching itself has helped make it easy for her to talk and explain her ideas in front of large groups — a skill she knows will be helpful for her in the future.
As a second-year student, Renata has appreciated having older students in the community.
Most of us in second year came in without a clear idea of what we wanted to do. People like Richard have been super helpful. Seeing their ideas grow is inspiring because you realize you can make something out of yours.”
Renata is spending this term on E-Co-op, where she is connecting with different potential partners as she develops a website of the Region of Waterloo that will map out recreation areas in the region to help students, families, and tourists find hidden recreational treasures. Eventually, she imagines that her website will include other areas from across the country.
Renata will be returning to GreenHouse this spring as a Fellow after winnning the Big Ideas Challenge.
