Stasia Mitchell, EY: We need to provide more support to entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship

Capital.gr talks to Stasia Mitchell, EY Global Entrepreneurship Leader and global head of the EY Entrepreneur Of The YearTM program, about the value of the “Entrepreneur of the Year” program and entrepreneurship in an ever-changing world.

Why did EY worldwide choose to invest so much in the Entrepreneur Of The YearTM / World Entrepreneur Of The YearTM programs? Why is entrepreneurship so important to EY?

Creating a better future for all is the main goal of many entrepreneurs – both those who are part of the global ecosystem of “Entrepreneur of the Year” and other EY business programs, and beyond. At EY, we believe that we can all contribute to the cultivation of an entrepreneurial spirit and way of thinking, in order to take advantage of the various incredible possibilities that exist. This also explains why EY’s diverse entrepreneurship programs are so essential.

Global business institutions, such as the “Entrepreneur of the Year”, bring together minds from around the world, creating a unique community that exchanges views and ideas, innovates, finds solutions to problems and grows. It is a powerful force that works to solve the greatest challenges facing our world.

What does it take to stand out as an EY World Entrepreneur Of The YearTM?

Vision, endless passion and the creation of long-term value, while inspiring a multifaceted human resource, are critical qualities. In addition, in order to be balanced leaders, I believe that entrepreneurs must possess 3 key characteristics:

1. Maintain a spirit of curiosity and have an open mind: listening to your peers, but also those who are outside your circle, helps to develop new ideas, strengthens your dynamics and expands your horizons.

2. Bringing people together: Entrepreneurs do not achieve their goals on their own. They highlight each other, opening new windows of opportunity, developing networks, creating opportunities, and helping others grow.

3. To cultivate an ecosystem characterized by the diversity of its parts: entrepreneurs excel in vibrant and diverse communities, listening to the views of people with different backgrounds and experiences. Cultivating these networks can spur the development of new ideas and, ultimately, inspire more inclusive and balanced goals.

Apart from the distinctions, what are the benefits that an entrepreneur can gain through his / her participation in the EY World Entrepreneur Of The YearTM competition?

Rarely do we encounter cases of entrepreneurs whose work is recognized and rewarded. In many cases, they remain “hidden” or “silent treasures” that the rest of the world should be aware of, but they continue to work away from the limelight. EY offers them a global platform where they can share their story and thank those who helped them fulfill their dreams – our main goal is to build international “bridges”. These relationships between entrepreneurs and EY professionals work in support of entrepreneurs participating in the competition, in their efforts to realize their vision, to grow and to create a positive impact.

Once you become a member of the EY Entrepreneur Of The YearTM ecosystem – whether or not you win the full EY World Entrepreneur Of The YearTM title – EY teams focus on supporting him / her to succeed. Our program is unique, as it crosses borders and acts as a “hyper-connecting” link that brings entrepreneurs closer to EY’s global ecosystem, creating a distinct network. This ecosystem generates new ideas, enables entrepreneurs to learn from each other and, finally, creates the “perfect storm” for them to continue to grow and progress.

In your personal opinion, what makes EY World Entrepreneur Of The YearTM so exciting and inspiring?

It is difficult to choose just one feature. Personally, I believe that the beauty of this program is the people who participate in it – entrepreneurs from all over the world. It gives me joy to know and learn new things from entrepreneurs who undertake to manage complex risks and challenges, to make our world a better place. They really fill me with so much hope, optimism and inspiration. And, although many factors may separate us (such as natural barriers, political and religious beliefs, etc.), entrepreneurs are our common ground and will find ways to build bridges and promote cooperation, creating positive changes for the world. I can not think of anything more exciting and something more inspiring than the power of a collective and interconnected global community.

What can entrepreneurs expect to participate in EY World Entrepreneur Of The YearTM 2022?

After two years of digital contact, it is time to meet again up close, share our experiences and explore together what is possible. Entrepreneurs participating in the individual EY “Entrepreneur of the Year” 2021-2022 national programs, such as the one currently running in your country, have certainly faced many challenges in the last two years. This will be a warm and enjoyable experience, where they will be able to connect with their counterparts through an extensive global network, enhance the recognition of their companies and teams, and collaborate with other entrepreneurs as they make their own journey to development.

• Given the rapid upheaval of the last two years, what needs to change in business to keep up with developments?

Very good question and thank you for that.

Entrepreneurship fuels the change we seek today in our world. Entrepreneurs are redefining our future every day, producing long-term value. I recently read a report that says “entrepreneurs are by nature environment, society and governance (ESG)” and I predict that they will continue to focus on them, as guided by a vision, they have a spirit of curiosity (asking “why not ;)), they do not know what “this is impossible” means, they are constantly resilient and have the incredible ability to change direction and refocus their attention when we need them most.

What needs to change, then, is the support we provide to these entrepreneurs and to entrepreneurship more broadly, locally and globally.