040: Top Tip Thursday, Entrepreneurs and Sustainability with Mariska Nell
In this episode, I am talking with a few entrepreneurs at the Sharjah Entrepreneur Festival about the role that entrepreneurs play in sustainability.
Some of the entrepreneurs included:
Tom Otton, Vishen Lakhiani, Alex Stifler, Dave Crane, Martin Scholtz, Salem Ahmed and Paris Norriss.
Episode Highlights
When we look at the current trend of entrepreneurs and the rate of entrepreneurs popping, what are your thoughts on this?
[01:28] Alex Stifler, Instagram, Youtube
There is a lot of entrepreneur wannabes.
You can not build the pyramids of Egypt starting with the top blocks, you have to start from the beginning. You have to build and build till you get there.
[02:44] Dave Crane. LinkedIn Instagram
Everybody has got to think about themselves as a brand.
[04:11] Martin Scholtz, Instagram
Entrepreneurship is about failing and learning and being persistent in the long turn.
[04:35] Salem Ahmed, Instagram
It is important to know who you are and why you are in it.
[06:00] Paris Norriss, Instagram
Entrepreneurship is what creates jobs.
[06:42] Tom Otton, Instagram, Create Media Group Instagram
It is not going to be the large corporations that are going to be around in twenty to fifty years that are actually going to change the face of all industries. It is actually going to be entrepreneurship. It is going to be innovation and it is going to be the smaller companies that conduct a move more agile.
[09:21] The second question was about sustainability. There are more and more start-ups and entrepreneurs coming up with innovative ideas where they try to solve issues around the environment that they might be facing in their daily lives or an issue that is close to their hearts. What are your thoughts on that?
[09:38] Alex Stifler, Instagram, Youtube
Recycling and sustainability should be as cool as entrepreneurship right now.
They realise that this is their world and therefore we need to look after it a lot better.
[11:04] Martin Scholtz, Instagram
They have the biggest challenge because you don’t get funds or finances for it and nobody really feels responsible for however we harm the environment.
[11:37] Salem Ahmed, Instagram
I see people till today throwing trash just on the floor you know as if the whole world is just our trash, but we need to change our perception of this planet. It is our home and I think the people that are working hard to create products that are eco-friendly, sustainable they are really impacting this planet in a positive way.
[12:39] Paris Norriss, Instagram
In the past, we looked at these problems as charity and that was a dead cause because that meant we had to realise money.
[14:12] Tom Otton, Instagram, Create Media Group Instagram
Anybody with a mobile phone can now have a business.
[15:35] There were some really amazing startups at the event and two that I would love to mention but will be telling you more about them both in some of the upcoming episodes as well. They are BluePhin and The Concept.
[16:16] So if there are any of you crazy birds that are thinking of spreading your wings and start your own venture here are some advice from Dave, Paris, Tom and Vishen Lakhiani.
Take some risks.
[17:35] Paris Norriss, Instagram
Don’t sit on the fence.
[18:11] Tom Otton, Instagram, Create Media Group Instagram
Actually starting
[18:45] Vishen Lakhiani, Instagram
Find a business where you love what you do so much that even if you didn’t get paid to do that, you would do it anyway.
If you might have wondered who the Gary some of the people were referring to, was one of the keynote speakers, Gary Vaynerchuk, Instagram. He is also the best entrepreneur in the world and the handsome man in the photo in the centre standing next to me.
Key Take Away
“Anybody with a mobile phone can now have a business.”
It is for sure a lot easier to be an entrepreneur with technology on our side. Getting your side hustle on and being able to make a steady income from your passion is getting more accessible. You would be able to start your business from right where you are. If you are passionate about the environment it has become a lot easier to take this passion and turn it into a sustainable income, but you would have to put in the work as well.
About the author, Mariska
Hi, I’m Mariska – podcast host, artist, sustainability advocate and consultant, and storyteller driven by a deep passion for our planet. Sustainability isn’t just a topic I discuss; it’s a way of life I embody through my work, actions, and everyday choices.
My journey began several years ago when I started experimenting with trash as a medium in my artwork. What began as creative curiosity quickly turned into a deep dive into the environmental impact of waste. That curiosity expanded into a broader connection with nature—including a life-changing trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, where I found both clarity and purpose. It was there that I made the decision to leave the corporate world behind and commit fully to environmental work.
In 2018, I took that message public in the UAE by wearing every piece of trash I generated for 30 days. The result—65 kilograms of waste—sparked national conversations around sustainability and waste reduction. That bold experiment also became the catalyst for my podcast, Mama Earth Talk, where I’ve since connected with global thought leaders to explore sustainability and inspire meaningful action.
Over the years, I’ve collaborated with organizations such as Nespresso, Costa, and Dubai International Airport to implement practical and impactful environmental solutions. From optimizing waste management systems to leading awareness campaigns, I specialize in designing strategies that create real, lasting change.
My artwork—blending environmental advocacy with creative expression—has been collected by public figures including comedian Trevor Noah, environmentalist Adrian Grenier, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, radio host Kris Fade, Grammy Award-winning DJ Black Coffee, and NBA player Mason Plumlee. Through public speaking, podcasting, and art, I aim to inspire individuals and organizations to rethink their relationship with the environment.
With over a decade of international experience in design and project management across Australia, South Africa, the UK, India, and the UAE, I bring a unique mix of creativity and strategic insight to sustainability challenges. My global perspective allows me to collaborate across cultures, drive innovation, and empower others to make a meaningful impact.
As a lifelong learner and passionate advocate, I focus on practical, holistic solutions to environmental challenges—guided by systems thinking and a deep commitment to action. I hold a BA in Design, a postgraduate degree in Environmental Science, and a Master’s in Sustainable Design.