Building an Entrepreneurial Mindset Through Failure with LSE

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A Global-Impact Workshop from Mexico City

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The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), one of the world's most prestigious social science universities, hosted its first-ever session in Mexico City for pre-university students. Through The Failure Institute brand, we created a transformative experience for 50 students aged 16 to 18 from Eton School, as part of our customized programs for organizations.

Our goal: to help them design their future as impact-driven entrepreneurs, understanding failure as a tool for personal and professional growth.

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A Space to Redefine Failure

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The workshop was led by Pepe Villatoro CEO and co-founder of Fuckup Nights, who guided the students through an interactive session exploring topics such as:

Key Learnings from the Workshop

• Overcoming shame.
• Focusing on self-improvement instead of comparison.
• Understanding the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset.
• How to choose a career path that prioritizes optionality and critical thinking.

Through failure stories shared by the students themselves and guided group activities, they explored their limiting beliefs. They embraced vulnerability in a safe and empowering space.

After the session, Pepe took time to speak one-on-one with students about their projects—encouraging them to design their lives with curiosity and creativity.

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Activities to Think and Act Like Entrepreneurs

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The "Failure Fair" session included reverse mentoring, identity reframing exercises, and group storytelling, following the unique Fuckup Nights format. 

Core Concepts Discussed

• Failure is universal. From fail-safe to safe-to-fail.
• Failure, pain, and fear are information waiting to be processed.
• Failure is not only about making wrong decisions—it's also about not making the right ones.

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As Pepe shared during the session:

"There's no better time to talk about failure than before it happens."

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Impactful Feedback and Genuine Connections

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Laura-Jane Silverman, Head of LSE Generate, shared her thoughts on the session:

"You were the cherry on the icing at this festival! Just amazing work that you are up to. Those insights will stay with the students for a good old while, am sure!"

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And Gisela Ramirez Zeron, College Counselor at The American School Foundation, added:

"Your participation was wonderful with our high school students. Thank you for offering a different perspective on topics that truly inspired them.""

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Shaping the Future Through Vulnerability

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This workshop represented a new way of learning and growing for LSE—offering sessions that transform participants by embracing vulnerability. 

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A Human Dimension to Education

In a world where young people are often taught to avoid failure, we showed them that failing doesn't mean falling short—it means growing and creating something new.

As part of a broader event focused on resilience, artificial intelligence, and career-building, this workshop added a playful and human layer to learning how to innovate through failure.

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Bring This Experience to Your Organization

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If you're looking to transform how your team or community approaches failure, build a culture of learning, and connect through vulnerability, check out our customized workshops.

Learn more about our programs for companies and organizations‍

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