Michelle Brown‑Droese: Transforming Business Education at Simmons University through Entrepreneurship

Integrating Entrepreneurship into Every Major at Simmons University

At Simmons University, the School of Management (SOM) has long been a center for innovative business instruction. Recent initiatives led by faculty member Michelle Brown‑Droese, an alumna and MBA graduate of the institution, demonstrate how entrepreneurial thinking can be woven into curricula across disciplines. Brown‑Droese’s work illustrates that entrepreneurship is not limited to business majors; it is a mindset that empowers students regardless of their field of study.

From the Classroom to the Community: Brown‑Droese’s Dual Role

Before joining SOM, Brown‑Droese held executive positions in community organizations such as Centro Latino de Chelsea and East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. These roles sharpened her understanding of local business challenges and the economic landscape of the USA. After earning her MBA from Simmons, she taught small‑business courses and directed the Neighborhood Business Institute, where she helped immigrants and women of color launch entrepreneurial ventures. Her experience in both academia and community practice informs her current courses, which emphasize real‑world application.

Undergraduate Courses with a Practical Focus

Brown‑Droese teaches two foundational courses for undergraduates: Negotiations (BUS 320) and Entrepreneurship Mindset (BUS 137). Each course culminates in a semester‑long project that requires students to produce a personal portfolio. Students negotiate realistic scenarios, such as their first salary package or the launch of a new product, and then detail how they would mobilize resources, manage risk, and create value.

The portfolio approach allows students from disciplines like nursing, social work, and communications to apply business concepts directly to their future practices. By creating tangible deliverables, students leave the classroom with proof that they can translate theory into action—a critical skill for local entrepreneurs navigating market entry or expansion.

Graduate‑Level Innovation through Nutrition and Health Promotion

During the spring semester, Brown‑Droese expanded her mentorship to the Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MSMG 440) course at the Master of Science in Nutrition and Health Promotion program. In partnership with Commonwealth Kitchen—a nonprofit that supports BIPOC and women‑owned food businesses—students conducted market research, defined customer personas, and built business models for real food‑based ventures.

This experiential learning component required students to advise local entrepreneurs on legal structures, such as forming an LLC, and to design strategic growth plans. The initiative highlights how mastery of business fundamentals can protect food entrepreneurs against liability and financial missteps, thereby fostering sustainable local economies.

Why Every Department Could Benefit from an Entrepreneurial Lens

Brown‑Droese argues that entrepreneurial training can elevate any field: “I can’t think of one department that can’t use entrepreneurship. It’s a different way of looking at what you have to offer, what your perspective can offer to help people, and how you can reach your potential client base.” The cross‑disciplinary approach not only benefits students’ current studies but also equips them with entrepreneurial resilience vital for a dynamic USA marketplace.

Applying the Entrepreneurial Mindset to Local Businesses

Local businesses serve as real‑time case studies for SOM’s experiential projects. By inviting community partners, faculty and students can analyze real market conditions, test hypotheses, and develop scalable prototypes. This hands‑on collaboration benefits local entrepreneurs by providing fresh insights and potential funding opportunities while simultaneously creating data‑rich learning experiences for students.

Building a Portfolio that Stands Out to Employers

Students who graduate with a robust portfolio tend to outperform peers when pursuing employment, start‑ups, or further education. Portfolios showcase how a student applies negotiation tactics, strategizes market entry, and models financial projections—skills highly sought after by employers in every sector. Prospective employers recognize that a student who demonstrates real‑world problem solving is more likely to contribute immediately to their organization.

Next Steps for Interested Students and Local Business Owners

Whether you aim to enter the workforce, launch a startup, or engage with community development, Simmons University’s programs provide a structured path to entrepreneurial success. Students can start by exploring courses in the School of Management, while local business owners can collaborate through course projects by partnering with faculty mentors.

• Learn more about BUS 320: Negotiations
• Explore BUS 137: Entrepreneurship Mindset
• View the full business course catalog

Get Involved: Share Your Story

Authors and entrepreneurs, we invite you to share your experiences with us. How has incorporating an entrepreneurial mindset impacted your projects, your local office, or your community initiatives? Let’s add diverse perspectives that can guide others in applying business tools to achieve sustainable growth.

Take the Next Step Toward Your Business Education Goals

Are you ready to join a program that emphasizes practical, entrepreneurial skill building? Submit your application today to Simmons University and explore how the School of Management, the School of Nursing, and the School of Social Work offer courses that integrate business thinking. If you’re a local business owner, consider partnering with our students for a fresh, data‑driven perspective on your business’s growth.

Have questions? Write to us! We are here to help you navigate admissions, course selection, and partnership opportunities with the School of Management.

For more insights on how entrepreneurship is shaping business education across the USA, keep reading our School of Management page and stay updated through our news and research releases.