Daba Coura Mbow
Mark Simon, the esteemed director of the Hagerman Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Michigan-Flint, is set to retire this year. With a career spanning ventures in wilderness canoe trips, import-export businesses, and educational product development, Simon’s entrepreneurial journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Born into a family of entrepreneurs, Simon inherited a passion for innovation. Reflecting on his journey, he reminisces, “Everyone in my family has been some type of entrepreneur, from my parents to siblings and even nieces and nephews.” After graduating from Bapsin College in 1980, Simon embarked on various entrepreneurial ventures, realizing his love for generating ideas. However, he found himself drawn more to the ideation process than the implementation. This realization led him to pursue academia, obtaining a Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in Strategic Management with a focus on entrepreneurship from Georgia State University. For two decades, Simon served at Oakland University, where he not only excelled in research and teaching but also pioneered initiatives to promote entrepreneurship among middle and high school students in underserved communities. His passion for fostering grassroots excitement for entrepreneurship led him to the University of Michigan-Flint when he was offered the opportunity to lead the Hagerman Center.
At UM-Flint, Simon’s vision for the Hagerman Center was clear: to cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship across all academic disciplines. He recognized the need to spark interest beyond the School of Management and created initiatives like Zillion Solutions, a program focused on creativity and problem-solving. Under his leadership, the program witnessed exponential growth, with hundreds of submissions from diverse academic units. Simon’s impact extended beyond the university as he forged partnerships with local high schools, engaging students in entrepreneurial activities and inspiring the next generation of innovators. Looking ahead, Simon envisions further institutionalizing entrepreneurship within the university’s culture. He emphasizes the importance of seamlessly integrating students into the entrepreneurial ecosystem and expanding outreach to high schools to attract future talent to UM-Flint.
Currently in a process of writing a book about entrepreneurship , Mark Simon has some valuable advice he will love to share to aspiring entrepreneurs:
“1. Find a Mentor: Seek guidance from highly successful entrepreneurs in your area of interest. Approach them with humility and a genuine interest in learning. Mentors are eager to support young and enthusiastic individuals, making it the perfect time to seek mentorship.
2. Start Something: Begin your entrepreneurial journey, no matter the scale. Whether it’s selling candy on campus or participating in competitions like Zillion Solutions, every endeavor offers invaluable learning experiences. Embrace the opportunity to make mistakes and grow without fear of failure.
3. Impress Your Professors: Target professors who can provide valuable insights and support your entrepreneurial aspirations. Impress them with your dedication and passion, as they can offer opportunities for independent studies, mentorship, and connections to industry professionals.