Fail Fast, Learn Faster: Inside Pepperdine’s Real-World Entrepreneurship Program

Entrepreneurship is booming in the U.S., with nearly one in five adults currently in the process of starting or running a business. At Pepperdine University, one graduate program aims to support those looking to turn ideas into impact.

Dr. Stephen Kirnon leads Pepperdine’s Master of Arts in Social Entrepreneurship and Change (SEC) program. A former CEO of both large and small companies, Kirnon brings a practitioner’s perspective to the classroom — one shaped by experience in industry and entrepreneurship alike.

BUILDING THE TOOLBOX, NOT JUST THE BUSINESS PLAN

According to Kirnon, successful entrepreneurs rely not only on what they know but also on the strength of their support systems. “Most entrepreneurs fail,” he says. “Having a business degree increases your odds of success — but don’t think theory alone will save you.”

Education, he argues, is about building a toolbox. Through coursework, students gain financial literacy, strategic frameworks, and shared language. But instincts — the ability to pivot, adapt, and recover — are developed through lived experience.

“Things will go wrong every day,” Kirnon says. “You’ll hear ‘no’ a lot. You’ll have to pivot. A classroom can’t teach that — you have to live it.”

The SEC program was launched in 2007 to help students combine business acumen with a desire to drive social impact. The curriculum is grounded in real-world application, with students working on projects that reflect their own interests and ambitions. Many of the faculty are former entrepreneurs or industry leaders.

“Our faculty don’t just come from academia,” says Kirnon. “They’ve done in the real world what they teach.”

TEST, FAIL, ITERATE, REPEAT

Kirnon emphasizes that entrepreneurship is an iterative process. “When we play games, we know there’s got to be an opening move,” he says. “Your opening move is probably going to be wrong — and that’s okay.”

The goal, he explains, isn’t to get everything right from the start. It’s to test assumptions, learn from failure, and keep going. “Don’t fall in love with your initial solution,” he advises. “You’re not the customer anymore.”

Students are encouraged to ask foundational questions: Who is this solution for? What problem are we solving? And how do we bring others along?

“You can’t be afraid to share your vision,” Kirnon says. “When was the last time you got on a bus without knowing where it was going?” A clear vision, he adds, helps align others with a mission and builds momentum around an idea.

SUPPORT SYSTEMS THAT STICK

Even the most driven entrepreneurs need structure. Kirnon believes the combination of mentorship and coaching is essential.

“A mentor gives you wisdom. A coach holds you accountable,” he explains. “It’s easy to slip if no one’s checking in on your goals.”

The SEC program trains students to identify and build those support networks. That includes learning how to engage mentors, seek out coaches, and step outside of their existing circles. Students are also introduced to advisory boards and professional networks that can provide long-term guidance.

“Not everybody can afford a business education,” Kirnon says. “If that’s you, get a mentor and a coach who will tell you the truth — the hard, honest truth. Don’t try to guess your way to the answer.”

APPLYING PASSION IN REAL TIME

One of the things Kirnon values most is when students build their ventures while still in the program. “I like when someone is developing something as they go,” he says. Students test ideas, receive feedback, and refine their models — often making direct connections between coursework and their emerging businesses.

“If you’re passionate about something, you’re more likely to stick with it,” Kirnon says. He sees education as a multiplier. “I like to say I change the world through these students because they do remarkable things — in the organizations they lead and the causes they’re spearheading.”

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