Carl
Ellis

What inspired you to choose NBS and your course?

I chose NBS because I wanted a postgraduate course that connected enterprise, innovation and real-world impact. The MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship felt like the right place to turn ideas into a practical, sustainable social enterprise model.

What motivated you to pursue a postgraduate qualification, and what were you doing before starting the course?

Before starting the course, I was building on my business studies, Lean Six Sigma and operational leadership background, while developing Mindful Sprouts CIC. A postgraduate qualification gave me the structure, challenge and confidence to move from having ideas to testing and implementing them professionally.

What was the most valuable or enjoyable aspect of your course, and why?

The most valuable part was learning how to analyse an opportunity from many angles: strategy, customers, operations, finance and impact. I enjoyed how the course encouraged both creativity and discipline, which is exactly what social enterprise needs.

Did you take part in any projects, work placements, extra‑curricular activities or experiential learning opportunities? What skills or experience did you gain?

Through coursework and live business projects, I developed stronger skills in research, business modelling, pitching, innovation planning and evidence-based decision-making. These experiences helped me turn Mindful Sprouts from a concept into a clearer venture with measurable social value.

What is your current role, and what does a typical day involve?

I am the Co-Founder and Director of Mindful Sprouts CIC, a social enterprise creating multilingual educational colouring books and workshops for children. A typical day can involve strategy, product development, partnership conversations, funding applications, school/community engagement, and turning feedback into new improvements.

Which skills or experiences gained at NBS do you use most in your role?

I use strategic analysis, innovation management, stakeholder thinking, business model design and reflective leadership most often. NBS helped me connect creativity with evidence, so decisions are not just exciting but also practical and sustainable.

What has been your biggest career achievement so far?

My biggest career achievement so far is co-founding Mindful Sprouts CIC, producing and donating multilingual educational colouring books to children and schools, and being recognised as Entrepreneur of the Year in 2024. It showed me how business knowledge can become a practical social impact.

What advice would you give to someone considering this course at NBS?

Come with curiosity and a real problem you care about. The course can give you tools, but the real growth happens when you test those tools against your own ambitions and learn from the feedback.