Entrepreneur-in-training Emily Miller wants to be briefed by young Atlantic Canadians like herself so she can better represent the region in in her role as a G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance delegate.  

Halifax-based Miller leaves for Beijing on Sept. 2, and would like to hear from members of her tribe before then.

“I look forward to strengthening relations with Chinese business people,” said Miller. “And I want to share the cool stuff that’s happening in Atlantic Canada. I’m looking for feedback from the entrepreneurial community here so I can represent everyone.”

Miller first visited China five years ago when she completed a political science exchange at Changzhou University. She is excited to return. She will fly first to Shanghai where she will meet with entrepreneurs and incubators, before traveling to Beijing for the G20 Summit’s Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance.

At the summit, she’ll attend sessions on subjects such as robotics and humanity, the future of food, travel to Mars and self-driving cars.

Miller is also one of the first cohort of the inaugural Venture for Canada Fellowship, which offers graduates the chance to work with startups for two years.

Having completed her first year of the program, Miller is currently working as the Customer Success Manager at Halifax-based social media analytics company LeadSift.

“Sales is new to me,” she said. “It’s fascinating, the persistence it takes. I’m learning the ability to get someone onside, although calling people up definitely takes getting used to.” 

The child of two lawyers, entrepreneurship has interested Miller since High School when she began her own photography business in order to take part in a school-building trip to India with Free the Children.

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After graduating from St. Francis Xavier University with a Double Major in Development Studies and Political Science, she worked in New Delhi, India, at startup NGO PORDAC, through the Canada World Youth program.  

“PORDAC was started by one woman, Manjir Gupta. She created her own school for kids with autism and other learning disabilities…It was fascinating to see such a power house of a woman,” Miller said.

“I realized the tenacity and fight you need as an entrepreneur to keep believing in your vision. There can be really low days and very high days. You need resilience and can’t give up.”

When Miller returned from India, she interned at the Clinton Foundation’s international office in New York City, which was already 10 years old with an established internship program.

“It was the opposite of PORDAC, that was a startup and this was a multi-national… My take away from the foundation was just how much can be achieved when business leaders, NGOs and governments all work together and make commitments to action.”

Miller said companies can have a big impact when they have a social conscience.

“I’m interested in social ventures,” she said. “I’d love to open my own social enterprise in Halifax. It would be good to open somewhere like the Bridge in the North End.

“The Bridge offers eight reduced cost office spots for groups like NGOs and non-profits. It’s a great space for community organizations.”

Miller, who is also a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers Hub and a 21 Inc. alumni, likes the flexibility and variety of entrepreneurship. She figures she will cope well with the strains of starting her own venture.

“I like being busy and on my toes, and you can create jobs in the community if you’re successful,” she said. “I’m a bit of a risk-taker…I also do a lot of yoga to manage stress…”

Miller can be contacted on emilymiller386@gmail.com.