Rodrigo Varela Villegas: forging the entrepreneurial spirit

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to share the essence of an interview with Rodrigo Varela Villegas, conducted by Santiago Ibarreche. It highlights his passion for academia, his commitment to developing responsible entrepreneurs and commitment to forging and disseminating the entrepreneurial spirit in Colombia, Iberoamerica and the world. Design/methodology/approach This paper is an interview. Findings The interview explores Rodrigo’s career, his achievements and continued search for excellence in terms of teaching, research and service in academia. Of relevance are his contributions to the discipline of entrepreneurship through the development and divulging of the concept of entrepreneurial spirit. Originality/value The interview in this special section, A Life in Research, brings out an individual scholar’s experience and history, not only as recognition of scholarly impact but also as recognition of the person.