2 September, 2025 – Like many teenagers in high school, Elsa Doxtdator-Jansson wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her future. At Seycove Secondary in North Vancouver, she was navigating Grade 12 with the usual mix of excitement and uncertainty when her guidance counsellor introduced her to the JA Company Program. Elsa didn’t know exactly what to expect, but she was intrigued enough to say yes — a decision that would spark a journey less about business and more about discovering herself and her path forward.
What followed was a hands-on entrepreneurial journey that helped shape her future. Alongside 20 other students from across the Lower Mainland, Elsa co-founded Splat Co., a student-run company that sold slime. The unexpected product resonated with fellow students, who embraced the tactile toy as a stress reliever during exam season.
“It was a great opportunity to meet other high school students within the Lower Mainland who were interested in business,” Elsa shared. “Quite a few of them, when I came to UBC Sauder School of Business, joined me. So, it was great having a little community.”
The program not only gave Elsa insight into running a business, from ideation to marketing and sales, it also introduced her to personal development tools like LinkedIn, which she created for the first time through JABC.
Her leadership and enthusiasm for learning led to national recognition. In 2017, Elsa was awarded The Keg Spirit Foundation Next Generation Leaders Forum Award, which supports young leaders who demonstrate exceptional business and leadership potential. The award brought her to London, Ontario, for a business forum hosted by JA Canada where she met students from around the world—connections she continues to cherish.
Elsa was accepted early to UBC Sauder. She graduated in 2022 and now serves as the Indigenous Student Engagement Advisor at the UBC Sauder School of Business.
“A lot of our Indigenous students are doing a lot of really great work.” she said. “So, making sure that they feel confident enough to share their story is important because their experiences are valid and they add a ton of value.”
Elsa supports Indigenous candidates from admission to graduation of the BCom program and contributes to other Indigenous initiatives at UBC. When asked what advice she’d give to other Indigenous students, Elsa didn’t hesitate:
“Take risks. Put yourself out there and try different avenues. You might not thrive in every one, but at least give it a try and give it a fair chance.”
From student entrepreneur to changemaker and mentor, Elsa’s story is a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are given the tools, confidence, and encouragement to lead.
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