The Real Drama Behind Entrepreneurship

In this engaging interview, Melissa Emily Graebner, Associate Dean of Entrepreneurship at Gies College of Business, University of Illinois, shares fascinating insights from her extensive research on entrepreneurship and as she calls it, the “drama of business”. Graebner discusses her two primary research streams—mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and the critical decisions entrepreneurs face throughout their journey.

Drawing on years of qualitative and case-based research, she highlights the emotional and strategic complexity involved in selling a business, including the most meaningful findings from entrepreneurs who have gone through this transformative experience. A key theme she explores is the delicate interplay of trust and how it influences outcomes in high-stakes decisions. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, Graebner’s reflections provide powerful takeaways about navigating the entrepreneurial path and the human dynamics behind business success. Don’t miss this thoughtful and thought-provoking conversation.