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In this episode of The Small Business Big Insights Podcast, Eric Saumure sits down with globally recognized entrepreneur, author, and Oxford lecturer Neri Karra Sillaman to explore the ideas behind her book Pioneers and what immigrant entrepreneurs do differently when building businesses that last. Drawing from her lived experience as a former refugee and founder of a luxury fashion brand, Neri shares why resilience, optimism, and reframing failure are not just personal traits but strategic business advantages. She explains how immigrant founders often spot overlooked opportunities, treat rejection as part of progress, and build companies with longevity in mind, especially during uncertain economic times.

Neri also discusses the disconnect between academic theory and real world business practice, the role of ethics and uncompromising quality in long term profitability, and why purpose and profit do not need to be at odds. Through stories from her own entrepreneurial journey and research interviews with founders behind globally recognized brands, she offers practical insight into community as a competitive advantage, decision making under pressure, and why success in business is a long game. This conversation offers small business owners a grounded, realistic perspective on building resilient companies that endure.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and episode overview

01:15 Meet Neri Karra Sillaman

01:25 The inspiration behind Pioneers

06:22 What immigrant entrepreneurs do differently

11:53 Stoicism, agency, and reframing failure

12:30 Academia vs real world business practice

15:58 Purpose, profit, and sustainability

19:51 Building quality, pride, and long term value

23:53 Early setbacks and learning to pivot

26:42 Ethics, leadership, and business decisions

28:26 Daily habits and creative discipline

29:42 Overrated business advice

31:34 Tools, mindset, and advice for entrepreneurs

33:13 How to connect with Neri

34:07 Final thoughts and closing

Hosted by Eric Saumure (https://ericsaumure.com )