Deconstructing the Entrepreneurial Myth: An Alternative Pedagogy of Collaboration over Competition
According to the "entrepreneurial myth," the motivating forces for entrepreneurs are competition, risk, and financial gain. The myth is reinforced by business courses that focus on these values and teach business plans and financial analysis as the foundational skills necessary for success. In contrast, the co-curricular "Entrepreneur Enrichment Program" implemented at Point Loma in 2007 distinguishes itself from other business plan competitions by focusing on idea, concept, project and plan. Taking a highly relational approach, the program allows diverse stakeholders to participate, including alumni, regional businesses and other mentors who would ordinarily be excluded; it also allows undergraduate, graduate and non-business students to work together. In the short time since its inception, the program has produced significant results, including a huge increase in enrollment in academic courses; new resource streams for the School of Business; new collaborations among universities and the San Diego public elementary and high school education system; and a significantly enhanced profile for Point Loma Nazarene University.