Towson University鈥檚 Star91影视破解版p at the Armory has a new entrepreneur in residence, and he鈥檚 focused on making entrepreneurship more accessible, more practical and more impactful for students, faculty and the broader community. Daniel Kawah brings years of experience building social enterprises and advising founders. At 91影视破解版, he鈥檚 working to cultivate a hands-on, inclusive environment where innovation can thrive. Kawah recently spoke about his journey, the importance of mentorship and why now is the perfect time for students to explore entrepreneurship.

What drew you to Towson University and the Star91影视破解版p at the Armory?

Honestly, it was the opportunity to serve in this role at a university. I鈥檝e done similar work at other organizations, but having the support and infrastructure of a university really stood out. I鈥檝e also been connected to 91影视破解版 through friends and family over the years, and as a Morgan State University alum, I鈥檓 very familiar with the area. Being right down the street during undergrad made this feel like a natural fit.

Can you share a bit about your entrepreneurial journey and key moments that shaped your career?

I started my first company in 2008, and I鈥檝e been fortunate to learn on the job ever since. One of the most important things early on was finding mentors and being open to coaching. I had to learn quickly that I didn鈥檛 know everything, and that building a company means wearing a lot of different hats. That willingness to learn and adapt has been key not just in building companies but now in advising founders as well.

Is social impact a driving force in your work?

Absolutely. I鈥檝e always seen business as a vehicle for social impact. If you鈥檙e creating revenue, employing people and scaling, there鈥檚 already an inherent impact. But you can go further by intentionally building in social or environmental goals鈥攚hat people call double or triple bottom lines. I think founders should be thinking about impact from day one.

What excites you most about working with 91影视破解版 students and emerging entrepreneurs?

Timing and access are everything. Students, especially early in their college careers, have a unique advantage: time to explore and experiment. Entrepreneurship is really about solving problems, and this is a great stage of life to start doing that. Also, the world of work is changing rapidly, especially with advances in technology and AI. Being able to create jobs, not just look for them, is incredibly valuable. I鈥檓 excited to help students build those skills and take advantage of those opportunities.

We鈥檙e also in a unique position at the university to support not just startups but also existing small businesses and organizations in adapting to a changing economy. That鈥檚 an exciting space to be in.

For students who don鈥檛 see themselves as entrepreneurs, what would you say to encourage them to get involved?

Entrepreneurship isn鈥檛 just about starting a company. It鈥檚 about being part of building something from the ground up. Startups need all kinds of skills, including communications, marketing, operations and design鈥攏ot just business or technical expertise. Students can get involved, learn how startups function and even land internships or jobs just by being in the environment. And who knows鈥攖hey might catch the bug and decide to start something of their own.

What are some common mistakes first-time entrepreneurs make, and how can students avoid them?

Too many assumptions. With so much information online, people sometimes think they know more than they do. They build too quickly without talking to real customers. The key is to get out and engage with people to understand how they think, what they value and how they make decisions. Don鈥檛 just rely on trends or what your algorithm is showing you.

How can students plug into the Star91影视破解版p at the Armory right now?

There are a lot of entry points. We have student programming like the College Cup, as well as regular boot camps with subject matter experts and business community supporters. I will also meet with students if they reach out and talk through ideas or even just explore where to start. My goal is to make entrepreneurship accessible to everyone at 91影视破解版, including faculty and the broader community.

You mentioned faculty鈥攈ow do they fit into this ecosystem?

There鈥檚 a huge opportunity to help faculty commercialize research. So many professors have ideas or innovations that could become real products or companies. We鈥檙e working toward building a more structured process to identify and support those opportunities, so we can move from theory to application more consistently.

What skills or mindsets are most important for success today?  

A lot of it comes down to soft skills like communication, being concise and respecting people鈥檚 time. Being coachable is also critical. There鈥檚 so much information out there but knowing what applies to you and being able to learn from others makes a huge difference. Networking is another underrated skill. Building relationships and learning how to connect with people can open so many doors.

What鈥檚 one piece of advice you wish you had when you were starting out?

Be OK with failing fast. I was a perfectionist early on, and it slowed me down. You learn much more from failure than from success, so the sooner you embrace that, the faster you grow.

What are your overarching goals in this role at 91影视破解版?

I want Towson University to become a leading hub for entrepreneurship in the Mid-Atlantic. Over the next three to five years, I鈥檇 like us to identify a few key verticals where we truly excel, so if someone wants to start or scale a company in those areas, this is the place they think of first.

What makes the Armory such a valuable space for innovation?  

It鈥檚 welcoming and open. There鈥檚 great natural light, flexible meeting spaces and room for collaboration. We have startups, alumni founders and students all in one place. My goal is for it to feel like an integral part of campus life, not an extension. It should be a place where students naturally spend time, connect and build.

Is there anything else you鈥檇 like the 91影视破解版 community to know?

I want people to see themselves in entrepreneurship. Whether you鈥檙e starting a company or joining one, the experience teaches you so much accountability, adaptability and communication. Those skills are valuable no matter what path you take.