An Entrepreneurial Perspective

‘I really loved the way it was packaged as something fun, practical and exciting. I couldn’t see myself going backwards and I didn’t want to be hamstrung by study after I’d spent so much time in the working world and running my own business. I wanted to be a dynamic entrepreneur, and this program was the perfect fit for me,’ she says.

‘Working in an environment like the Wade Institute is really rare. Here, there’s space to explore ideas, to try new things, and to pivot if something isn’t working. You also have this support network of other Entrepreneurs all around you, and you can bounce ideas off each other. Out there, in the world, there’s no safety net, and it shows, something like 90% of businesses close before they reach the one-year mark. You have to have the passion to make it work, you have to do whatever it takes. Looking back on it, I knew my business was really great, and I sacrificed a lot to get it to where it is now. I was eating, sleeping and breathing the project, but I can’t tell you what else I did over those seven years.’

Nolana says that one of her major takeaways from the Master of Entrepreneurship is the need to take a more holistic approach to launching a business, and to think about the impact that pursuit is having on other parts of your life. It’s a philosophy that she’s applying now as a graduate.

‘I have a great team at Eco-truffles, I was able to take a step back as I was studying, and my Mum now takes a big part in the business. My partner and I are planning to stay in Melbourne from this point on, so now I’m considering what comes next. While I was working on the Master of Entrepreneurship, I did a project looking at wellness coaching for professional parents. I had some great clients, and it was an interesting project which I’m still working on now along with Eco-Truffles, but I’m exploring possibilities.’

As an experienced entrepreneur who launched her first business quite young, Nolana has a unique perspective on the state of entrepreneurship.

‘There’s a real cult of youth in the entrepreneurship sector, this pressure to be the next Zuckerberg.  While youth definitely gives you energy, as you become older and more experienced, you gain perspective. You realise you can take your time and build a quality business rather than trying to rush something to launch. Life is about balance. You can work in this space, and you can add value, without burning yourself out.’