We are all part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem

Carla and I would like to thank Tim Mazzarol for his article on the Entrepreneurial ecosystems and the role of government policy because it has been of great inspiration during the last days of Christmas leave. 

We meditated on the importance of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and how much pervading it is in all our lives. Just try to imagine what could succeed if, one day, all the entrepreneurs decide to go on strike. You can do nothing. No electricity, no home heating, no Internet, no signal for your phone, no newspapers, no shops, bars and restaurants open, no tv and radio, no refuelling for your car... We would fall instantly into the Middle Ages. Think about it for a moment. Entrepreneurship is all around us. Without entrepreneurs there couldn't be innovation and progress.

Ok, what about scientists and researchers? We think that they are similar to entrepreneurs: they work to turn ideas into action, to discover new products and services, both working for public bodies of private companies. And turning ideas into action is exactly the definition that the European Union gives of entrepreneurship. It is not just something referred to one opening its own activity but it is much more: entrepreneurship is a state of mind, that can be used in every aspect of life from family to business, hobbies, work, passions...

Entrepreneurial ecosystem, Mazzarol 2014

That's why is so important to nurture the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In the imagine of Tim Mazzarol designing it, we think that two of the most important parts are those regarding culture and education&training.

The entrepreneurship culture must be spread because it can inspire, it can provide positive examples of resilience, courage, creativity, motivation and other attitudes that can be helpful for everyone, not just for aspiring entrepreneurs. It is true that not all the entrepreneurs are good: we don't live in a fairytale. But there are more good examples than we imagine. Even among those who are not strictly entrepreneurs but that have been entrepreneurial in their life: just think to Andre Agassi, which story has been told in a magnificent way in the book Open (that not for a case became a worldwide bestseller).

Carla and I are working with this aim: spreading as much as possible the good entrepreneurial attitudes. Yes, the link between entrepreneurs and work is true, without entrepreneurs there aren't jobs, so this is the first reason why it is important to improve the entrepreneurial ecosystem. But we think that working on the diffusion of entrepreneurial mindset has positive effects on the whole society, because even the ones that are employed can be more enterprising. Becoming more happy and satisfied. And happiness is not one of the final life goals?