Entrepreneurship without rigorous standards.

Yesterday, I heard that we need to break the rules, break them all the way, that regulations prevent entrepreneurship and innovation.

I am fan of entrepreneurship and innovation. I mean, who isn't a fan of entrepreneurship and innovation, right! But should chaos and freedom rule?

In 1997, I gained a combined 2i degree in Art & Design and Business Administration. As an entrepreneur I created a small language translation agency in 1999, became an E-Business strategist for a UK company at the beginning of the DOTCOM boom, built a granite guest house in 2008, created a minigolf course in 2008, amassed more than 8 hectares of land before 2012, created a small training academy in 2011-2014, and more. My life was a combination of law, entrepreneurship, business administration, design ... and standards.

Now, I'm following a passion as a design teacher in an international school in Vietnam. It's a balance of breaking the rules (carefully!) and producing and adhering to educational standards that parents trust.

My latest business idea is now taking form. It's built on standards. Standards of data protection, governance, GDPR, law and ISO standards:

www.asiaprivacyaction.com.

Today, I paid another visit to the ISO website where I'm purchasing more standards that clients need. Standards that entrepreneurs need to protect their business. I came across a quote that I want to memorialise:

"Standards define what great looks like, setting consistent benchmarks for businesses and consumers alike — ensuring reliability, building trust, and simplifying choices." (www.iso.org)

But the question remains:

What is the balance between entrepreneurs and innovators justifiably breaking the rules, and the maintenance of standards?

I welcome your thoughts below.