Bonnie Hacking
“It only takes a spark to light a fire, and I believe the same is true for enterprise. To ignite the enterprising spark in those around us, we have to be on fire ourselves.
“My spark was originally lit at Unipart Group of Companies, using my enterprising and entrepreneurial skills to develop programmes enabling employees to make improvements to the way things were done in their working environment – delivering significant cost savings, improved processes, increased morale, and many other benefits. My passion for enterprise led me to become a Young Enterprise Business Adviser, chairing their Oxford Area Board.
“Later, as Leadership Development Officer for Oxfordshire County Council, I took on the challenge of overseeing the training and development of 2,500 managers – an experience that truly required energy to keep the flames of innovation burning brightly!
“When I joined the University in January 2005, as Student Enterprise Officer on a one-year, externally funded contract, little did I know how brightly that flame would glow for me! As I celebrate 20 years here, I wanted to reflect on what I’ve been part of and what I’ve learned.
“Twenty years ago, the majority of students who came to see me wanted to be a millionaire by the time they were 30. It’s heartening to find that rhetoric has changed. The majority of people I speak to want to do something significant, that makes a difference to people or the planet.
“I moved to the Entrepreneurship Centre (EC) shortly before it opened in September 2021 as Programme Manager. It is my role to run our unique and varied programmes, ranging from AI for Everyone, to Steps, to Startup.
“Opening our doors was an exciting time, and three years on, it still feels like a startup. We are constantly engaging with our ‘customers’ to understand their needs, testing out new solutions, getting it wrong, refining our approach and trying again. Every day is a learning opportunity. Whether it’s a new tool or technique to share with others or an insight into how I work and the impact I have on others.
“It’s a joy to see someone start their entrepreneurial journey with an unformed idea and grow it into a business. We learn so much on the way.
“At our online Awards evening in December, a St Andrews alumna joined us from Silicon Valley, having just raised $4.2 million for her startup—only a year and a half after graduating. Hearing her story reminded me why I do what I do.
“As a student, she spoke passionately about her first startup, certain it would succeed and innovate how children learn maths. Three-and-a-half years later, she’s now leading a different venture, using data to revolutionise cancer treatment. When asked what advice she’d give her second-year self, she simply said: ‘keep working on your idea every day, and eventually the right idea and success will follow.’
“I agree! Don’t wait until the ‘right time’ or when you have all you need in place to get started with your idea. Start now and work on it every day.
“We’d be delighted to welcome you to any of the Entrepreneurship Centre’s programmes and events or to meet with you to discuss your idea. Please get in touch.”
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