Here I am

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I’m alive and kicking! These past few months have been absolutely crazy. Just yesterday, I was just telling one friend of mine this year marks 10 years since I started writing this blog. I know I promised myself I wouldn’t stress if I couldn’t keep up the pace. The fact is that this blog is “like” one of my “babies.” And believe me, the guilt of not showing up at this little window at least a couple of times a month is real. That idea is there, and it burdens me.

I’m also aware that we are already in July (I had written June — just so you see how scrambled I am), and that I’ll be on vacation in August, but here I am, giving it my all like there’s no tomorrow. So today, here I am.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to go on and on. Today I just wanted to share a thought with all of you about a conversation I had a few days ago with a colleague. She was asking me about the blog and said: “Oh, okay, so it’s a blog about people who start businesses, the self-employed.” (Yes, all in masculine terms, of course.) “No”, I said. And I explained everything — what a P.E. means to me and the differences I see between the typical “entrepreneur” and a “P.E.” (I also talked about the similarities, which there are quite a few of). Truth is, she really liked “my philosophy” and the way I understand this more-than-just-a-concept.

In any case, the other day I came across an ad about becoming an entrepreneur that I’d like to share with you today. And if you feel like it, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments:
What are the skills and competencies a P.E. should have?

Thank you for being there!

Happy June.

Mamukko (English version)

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A few weeks ago I visited a place that left me fascinated: Kinsale (Ireland). This month I am in Cork on a research stay thanks to the University of Deusto and one Saturday I went to Kinsale, very close to Cork. I had high expectations because of the good things I was ‘told’, so, before going, I had a look on the web to see what I could find there. After spending more than half a day there, I would definitely recommend it!

Of course, I did some research to see if there were any entrepreneur around and, yes, in a corner, just around the corner on one of the main streets, a small shop caught my eye, it appeared out of nowhere, its name is Mamukko. Just in case, if you happen to be in Kinsale, here is the exact address and contact details: Guardwell, Kinsale, P17 A257. Tel: 085 734 2004 and email contact: contact@mamukko.ie

Mamukko is a family business, as one of the founders explains:

With 14 awards to its name, Mamukko has earned recognition both locally and internationally. New York Times, Forbes, and Stern Magazine have seen this brand as a key force in sustainable fashion.

Mamukko was founded in 2011. Since then, it is considered as a leader in Irish circular design, placing Kinsale firmly on the map of sustainability and eco-conscious innovation in Europe.

Its founder are Nora Magyar and her hunsband Attila Magyar, a 5th generation leatherworker. This couple transforms reclaimed materials into limited edition, high-quality bags and accessories. They invest in sustainability through the reduction of waste and the creation of sustainable fashion. Among the materials they use, we can find decommissioned sails, life rafts, leather remnants, and even airplane seats.

Founded in 2011, Mamukko has established itself as a leader in Irish circular design, placing Kinsale firmly on the map of sustainability and eco-conscious innovation in Europe.

All Mamukko’s designs are created (manufactured) in-house at their workshop in Kinsale, and always environmentally friendly.

Although when I visited the shop I could not be with Nora and Attila, I recognise that Jean was a hostess who knew how to perfectly convey Mamukko’s philosophy to me and led me to think again that another more sustainable world is possible. Thank you, Jean, for your time, your words and your teachings, and thank you Nora and Attila for your art. I took a ‘little piece’ of Mamukko with me.

Enjoy the rest of the month of May.

Lightning bites! (English version)

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A few months ago, as part of the UNIC alliance at the University of Deusto, I was invited to give a talk on my experience of entrepreneurial education as part of the so-called lightning bites. You know that it is hard for me to say no, and what’s more, I wanted to do it. What I didn’t know is that I would have to do it from Cork (Ireland), where I am working this month. So last Tuesday, 13 May, at 13:00, there I was, of course, talking about, among other things, teachepreneur. My only problem was the lack of time, I wanted to tell so many nice ‘things’.

In any case, I’ll take this opportunity to share my presentation with you, in case you are interested in having a look at it.

Presentation.

Have a nice weekend!

Bag&block or how to turn lego into jewellery

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A few days ago, while I was scrolling through Instagram, I came across a news item about some special bags. They were made with lego pieces! And not only that, the people who made them were special people who I am more than sure have more than a few of the necessary competences to be part of our P.E. community.

This is the Bag&Block brand, which started more than 20 years ago in France.

BAG&BLOCK’s goal is to involve as many people with severe and long-term mental illnesses as possible in the different production processes of our bags; to this end, we collaborate with organisations that guide this group in developing a professional career that will help them in their integration into society.

The team behind this idea is Fundación Intras and Salud Mental Zamora. This Foundation is a non-profit organisation created in 1994. It has a team of almost 600 professionals, who accompany people with mental health problems in the recovery of their life projects. They offer different professional services to meet their needs. They work in 6 provinces of Castilla y León (Valladolid, Zamora, Salamanca, Burgos, Palencia and Ávila), in Madrid and in a network with entities all over Europe through the development of projects.

One of the products made by people with mental health problems is a type of bag that is sustainable, resistant, very original and handmade with a lot of patience. To make them, they first create a flexible and resistant framework with lego blocks, then they place the metal pieces and, finally, they join the sides with threads and place the inner lining. One of Bag&Block’s objectives is to create bags with a different type of material to what we are used to, and to propose a new concept of personalisation where each customer can give free rein to their creativity by changing their bag whenever they wish.

You have to know that nowadays the production of a bag takes an average of five hours of work and that when they started to produce, back in 2006, the average number of hours was 40. Since then, many tests, prototypes and improvements have been carried out until reaching what we can acquire today, quality, sustainability, originality and comfort.

The technique of producing bags is safe for the people who make them and is also a way of keeping them busy while helping them to keep their psychomotor system active.

There are many models, just have a look here or here, and even almost from scratch to make your favourite model, just enter here and here, and get your imagination going. Also, you should know that the Bag&Block bags allow you to put on and take off lego blocks so you can adapt the bag to whatever you are wearing at the time and give free rein to your creativity. Oh, and the pieces are also compatible with Megablock and other standard brands.

If you want more information, I invite you to visit their website, their Instagram account or their facebook account.

By the way, it’s already April and Easter is just around the corner.

Entrepreneurship4All (English)

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Here you have Entrepreneurship4All. It is an innovative digital learning ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs in developing essential skills, navigating digital and green transitions, and building financial resilience. It is learner-centered approach initiative that offers:

  • Inclusive learning: tailored resources for diverse audiences, including women entrepreneurs.
  • Hands-on experience: tools to turn ideas into action and grow new or existing businesses.
  • Skill development: programs that enhance entrepreneurial knowledge and capacities.
  • Sustainability & agility: training for digital and sustainable transformation.
  • Financial resilience: strategies to manage financial challenges and risks.

If you look for becoming an entrepreneur, upskilling, growing your business or reflecting on your future, this is your place.

This platform offers you multiple possibilities::

  • Identify Opportunities and Innovate.
  • Master Financial Literacy.
  • Embrace Sustainabilit.
  • Build Digital Skills and Resilience.
  • Demonstrate Leadership.
  • Master Financial Planning.
  • Incorporate Digital Competence.
  • Elevate Strategic Thinking.
  • Master Financial Sustainability.
  • Foster Sustainability Innovation.
  • Advance Digital Leadership.
  • Self-Reflect and Set Goals.
  • Foster Continuous Improvement.
  • Align Values with Sustainability.
  • Adapt Digital Skills.

“The Entrepreneurship4All ecosystem will equip you with the best tools and guidance to succeed, revolving around four core topics — Digital, Entrepreneurship, Financial, and Sustainability — each designed to provide the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s business world.”

“Each course is divided into micro-learning steps of approximately 10 minutes each, featuring a mix of written content, videos, interactive activities, and reflection opportunities. Each course comprises 5-7 such sessions, making it easy to learn without feeling overwhelmed.”

Please, take advantage of this opportunity and discover this platform through next link.

It is now the middle of March. Did you know it?