ent educators ztb 2011
TRANSCRIPT
From music student to creative entrepreneur: multiple paths, complex journeys
Zuleika Beaven MMU Centre for Enterprise
Outline of the StudyPhD title “Entrepreneurial & Creative Identity in
Nascent Musician-Entrepreneurs”Drawing on nascent entrepreneurship and
identity literature2 year tracking study with 12 music graduates /
nascent musician-entrepreneurs (10 completed)Recruited in later stages of degrees: 9 as
undergrads, 3 as postgrads5 interviews each at approx. 6 monthly intervalsUsed a combination of discourse and re-storying
qualitative approaches
Real-time nascency – an under-researched area
Nascency studies tend to be retrospective with “successful” entrepreneurs◦Selection bias◦Construction of success◦Over-simplification of journey
Real time study has:◦ Included “failed” entrepreneurs◦Captured messiness & cyclical nature of
process◦Allowed reflection
The Participants
Range of genres: classical, popular, folk
First study: voice, guitar, double bass, flute, trombone, recorder, harp, percussion
24 Ventures: ensembles, bands, opera company, agency, education companies, composition
21-35 years old5 women, 7 men
Journeys - the basicsParticipants
◦Most (8) of remaining participants still nascents
◦Only 1 has exited the process◦Only 1 is now established with no nascent
ventures at allVentures
◦50% (12) of ventures no longer in existence,
◦But overwhelmingly, been replaced by new ventures
◦Multiple reasons – but not “failure”
Journeys – rich stories
Non-linear path through nascencyComplex interplay between
creative (musician) identity & entrepreneurial identity◦Dynamic process
◦Creative integrity
◦Conflicts and congruences
Journeys – rich stories (2)Enterprising careers and non-
enterprising jobs◦Changing goals and values
Limited attachment to individual ventures◦Pragmatic entrepreneurship
◦Pragmatic ventures
◦Learning from experience, not failure
◦Changing accounts of attitude to reward
Zuleika Beaven
Doctoral Student, Manchester Metropolitan University Centre for Enterprise