My focus on developing the character of the person wishing to become an entrepreneur means that fundamentally I need to change the way someone thinks. The consequences of changing their character are significant. Mahsa first came to see me in 2019 wanting to run her own business. However, her approach was typical of many students in that believing that she just needed a good product and every one would come to her business. Yet, having a good product alone will not secure a successful business. By working with and mentoring Mahsa, she was able to start a nano-business selling jewellery in a small market once a week with just £200 and in the first week turned over £180. Within 7 or 8 months she was generating enough money to invest in better quality stock that could be sold for a greater profit margin and invested in a web site. Within 12 months, Mahsa had secured a permanent indoor space in a busy local and tourist market. Now just over two years later she took out a small loan and is about to open a second retail outlet. Mahsa has also gained the confidence to begin making connections with more upmarket jewellery wholesalers with a view of moving into a more profitable market. Over the period of trading her turnover has increased by over 1,000% to over £1200 a week.

When I entered academia 12 years ago, there were two things that surprised me. One was the resistance to engaging in enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly at the level the majority of students can engage. The way we work today means that employees need to be far more enterprising, entrepreneurial and innovative than ever before. Yet, for many years this was never seen as critical employability skills. Even still today, there is some resistance. Secondly, I was surprised by the lack of support (and interest) for what I see as everyday entrepreneurs; people who act entrepreneurially in order to make a living. Some academics have argued that these people are not really entrepreneurs, or that entrepreneurship is only about technology. They may never become rich and famous, but they deserve support to be successful. There are two pieces of advice that I would pass onto others that were given to me many years ago. One is “always bite of as much as you can and then chew like crazy”. We have an amazing capacity to do more than we expect, so if you want to achieve something don’t hold back. The second is that “it is always easier to apologise than gain permission”. I found it difficult to gain permission to create an entrepreneurial support framework, so I just went ahead anyway. Then when challenged I apologies profusely and demonstrated the positive outcomes.

What comes next, is an impossible question to answer. My intention has always been to be recognised by my peers within Middlesex University, and by the community at large as a changer of lives. Over the past two years, there has been a growing recognition of the value of Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Innovation education. From this I would like to see at least one compulsory module on Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Innovation education in every programme at Middlesex University. I would also like to see a greater recognition of the need to bring practice into teaching, and not just focus on research. To achieve both of those outcomes I intend to continue develop, support, encourage and implement Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Innovation education, not just within Middlesex University but within the local business community.