Nina Aggarwal - Enterprise Ambassador
Working primarily in the FMCG, healthcare and financial sectors, fusion provides brand strategy, insight and innovation, aligning sustainability and commercial objectives. Using her company's founding principles, which help organisations solve their business problems (or teach their people how to), Nina used her experience to inspire and educate entrepreneurial students, helping them grow both their ideas and their confidence.
Embracing the opportunity to support start-ups:
Nina found out about the Enterprise Ambassador opportunities within the Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (CEES) while taking part in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme: a highly selective national programme for high-growth SMEs, facilitated by Leeds University Business School. The university's Dr Richard Tunstall was a section lead facilitator on the programme, and he approached Nina to see if she'd consider an ambassador role.
"I admit I wasn't sure initially what CEES was all about, or what an ambassador position meant," Nina says. "But it was clear the university is trying to help entrepreneurs and start-ups, which is an ethos I wholeheartedly support. I was keen to use the opportunity to give back."
On Dr Tunstall's invitation, Nina put herself forward for an ambassador role. "I was encouraged knowing the university felt I had something to give, and I wanted to explore what I could contribute as an ambassador. I jumped right in, which in itself feels like an important message to give students - just go for it, and see what works for you!"
Inspiring students in fun and rewarding ways
“My ambassador role has been hugely varied, and I’ve enjoyed that,” explains Nina. “I’ve worked closely with groups of students building start-ups, from the initial meetings to get their idea off the ground to regrouping with them as their concept progresses.
I also really liked the afternoon Enterprise speed dating-style sessions! Alongside other ambassadors and CEES representatives, I listened to and advised all types of students, from those with embryonic ideas to others with ready-made businesses to progress. I was even asked to host a guest lecture to share the story of the growth of my business, followed by a classroom-based Q&A session. It was a real honour to be asked.”
Breaking down barriers to conversation:
For Nina, the greatest privilege of an ambassador role is encouraging students to have open conversations. “Networking gets a bad reputation,” she says. “I wanted to be a role model to students and show them networking is not a big, scary thing – it’s just having a chat. It’s a chance to get to know someone as they truly are – an engaging, interesting person with great ideas to share."
"My son is involved with businesses around the city of Leeds, and I’ve taken some of this advice back home to him, too. It proves the ambassador experience is really circular. We all have something to give, but we also get something back in return."
Nina encourages any local business owner to find out more about the Enterprise Ambassador role even if, like her, you're working full-time. "As the university itself says, it's all about the quality not the quantity of what you can give, to show the students what it's possible to achieve with the right support behind you."