Episode Summary:

In this episode, Bernie sits down with Kofi Oppong, founder of Urban MBA, to hear why entrepreneurship is no longer just a choice—it’s a lifeline.

Kofi shares his story of being locked out of his home at 17, sleeping rough, and clawing through the retail industry to become a corporate leader and community educator.

Together, they dig into the hard truth: the game is rigged. If you're not born into wealth or connected to the right networks, the doors to opportunity stay locked.

Kofi doesn’t sugarcoat it—access to finance, funding, and information is still a postcode lottery.

From tech revolutions widening the wealth gap to the myth of meritocracy, this conversation is a call to wake up.

If you're waiting to be included, you're already behind.

The future belongs to those who build their table, not those still waiting for a seat.

Timeline Highlights:

[1:00] – Kofi shares the mission behind Urban MBA

[3:10] – Growing up in Hackney and being pushed out at 17

[7:00] – The emotional impact of being locked out and how it shaped Urban MBA

[9:40] – Sleeping rough, police run-ins, and a failed lead heist

[11:30] – Sneaker knowledge lands him a job at JD Sports

[13:40] – Community support and how small acts of kindness changed everything

[15:20] – Corporate years at Nike and the birth of Urban MBA

[17:50] – How new tech cycles shape wealth and wipe out entire industries

[20:10] – Fashion, music, tech—and why being “cool” isn’t enough

[22:50] – The lie that "anyone can be an entrepreneur"

[24:20] – Why 4-day work weeks and UBI are not just for your wellbeing

[27:30] – Black spending power and how real change is tied to money

[33:10] – Why access to finance is the core issue, not motivation

[36:30] – Gary Stevenson, Daniel Priestly, and the realities of economic mobility

[42:45] – Tower Hamlets and the five-mile wealth gap

[47:00] – Brian Eno, safe societies, and why being poor costs more

[50:30] – Kids know school isn’t working—and they’re right

[55:51] – Final message: build your ecosystem or get left behind

Episode Breakdown:

The Urban MBA Origin Story

Kofi shares the events that led him to create Urban MBA—a youth-focused business and enterprise training programme.

From sleeping on park benches to launching community programmes in Old Street, he paints a vivid picture of what it means to be excluded from traditional success.

Locked Out at 17

Kofi recounts how his father's expulsion was a turning point.

What felt like abandonment became the spark that ignited his lifelong commitment to education and self-reliance.

This part of the episode shows how personal and structural resilience intertwine.

Retail, Reading, and the Roots of Self-Education

Working at JD Sports and later Nike, Kofi turned every opportunity into a learning experience.

He breaks down how books like Think and Grow Rich, The Celestine Prophecy, and Rich Dad, Poor Dad shaped the Urban MBA curriculum and helped him understand systems most schools never touch.

The Big Lie: Anyone Can Be an Entrepreneur

Bernie and Kofi dissect the popular narrative that anyone with a laptop can make it.

Kofi explains why the barriers are real for people from marginalised communities: there is no funding, no access, and no safety net.

Entrepreneurship isn’t a luxury—it’s the only path left.

Tech, Timing, and the Next Wave of Inequality

We explore how every tech revolution has widened the wealth gap, not closed it. Kofi explains how understanding technological shifts—like AI and quantum computing—is critical for anyone trying to build a future-proof life.

Finance, Funding, and the Systems Rigged Against Us

From DEI performativity to the myth of equal access, Kofi makes the case that marginalised communities will continue to be locked out of opportunity without structural changes to how money moves.

Building Your Own Ecosystem

The episode closes with a message of urgency and hope.

Don’t wait for someone to include you.

Don’t wait for a seat at the table.

Build your own system—because the clock is ticking, and the game is already changing.

A Call to Empower Marginalised Youth

Are you concerned about the future of education in a rapidly changing world? The Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by AI and automation, has reshaped the job market and the essential skills required to navigate it.

This white paper, Education in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, was developed in collaboration between Kofi from Urban MBA and Jacqueline from Innocomm.

It explores the unique challenges faced by marginalised youth—especially those of Black heritage—and proposes practical, innovative solutions aimed at empowering them to thrive.

Links & Resources

* Urban MBA Website

* Education in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Urban MBA White Paper

* Gary’s Economics YouTube

* EMERGENCY DEBATE: They Lied About The Economy Recovering! Is A Financial Apocalypse Coming?

* Autonomy Think Tank – UBI Research

* World Economic Forum – Future of Jobs Report 2023

* Fourth Industrial Revolution – Overview

* Black Pound Day

* Register for European Coworking Day, May 2025

* Coworking Values Podcast on LinkedIn

* Join The Coworking Community Builder Cohort

* Join the 8k Members in the LinkedIn Coworking Group

* Connect with Bernie on LinkedIn

* Connect with Kofi on LinkedIn

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