In a rapidly evolving business landscape, professionals and employers alike face an increasing need for innovation, adaptability, and leadership. Yet, for many, the traditional paths to growth—either by staying within the corporate structure or venturing out as an entrepreneur—often feel like the only options. Dr. Lucia Ferrigno, founder of Boosted Unicorn and a strategic partner to global companies and professionals, has been a long-time advocate of a concept that is revolutionizing the corporate world: intrapreneurship. She’s been discussing this idea long before it became a trend, and she believes it’s the key to creating win-win opportunities for both professionals and employers. In this interview, Dr. Ferrigno shares her insights into why intrapreneurship is more important than ever.
Why is intrapreneurship so important right now?
Lucia Ferrigno: “We’ve reached a breaking point. Many professionals today feel stuck between two extremes: they can stay in corporate environments and feel unfulfilled or they can quit and take a massive risk by starting something from scratch. But this binary thinking is outdated. What I’m promoting with intrapreneurship is a third option—a smarter one—where professionals can innovate, lead, and create value from within their organizations, without having to sacrifice everything they’ve worked for.”
For someone unfamiliar with the term, what exactly is an intrapreneur?
Lucia Ferrigno: “An intrapreneur is essentially an entrepreneur within a company. They think like owners, not just employees. Intrapreneurs take initiative, solve problems creatively, and drive innovation from the inside out. The key difference, though, is that while entrepreneurs build their own ventures outside of companies, intrapreneurs focus on creating value within the companies they already belong to. It’s not about choosing between corporate and independent work; it’s about learning how to lead and make an impact in both spaces, which is where the power of intrapreneurship lies.”
Isn’t that just being a proactive employee?
Lucia Ferrigno: “It’s more than just being proactive. Of course, being proactive is important, but intrapreneurship goes much deeper. It’s about taking ownership. Intrapreneurs don’t just get tasks done—they’re actively building something meaningful within the system. They create new processes, lead innovations, and influence strategy. They don’t need a promotion to lead; they can lead from where they are. And when professionals have the opportunity to do both—to build a business while leading in a corporate environment—they often find that each experience sharpens the other. The systems, skills, and strategic thinking learned in business can directly enhance performance at work, and vice versa. I’ve done both myself, and I can tell you it made me better at both.”
What’s in it for the employee? Why should professionals care about becoming intrapreneurs?
Lucia Ferrigno: “Intrapreneurship unlocks a professional’s real potential. So many professionals are underutilized—they’re brilliant, but confined by rigid job descriptions and titles. Intrapreneurship gives them the space to expand, to lead projects, test ideas, and influence change—all without needing to climb the corporate ladder or quit to start something on their own. It’s also one of the fastest ways to build leadership skills, increase visibility within the company, and gain the kind of influence that leads to greater professional and personal freedom. And if they’re also building something on the side, like I did, the compound effect is incredible. Their business sharpens their skills, their job funds their freedom, and their leadership grows in both spaces.”
And from the employer’s side, what are the benefits?
Lucia Ferrigno: “Employers stand to benefit massively from encouraging intrapreneurship. Companies that foster an intrapreneurial culture become more agile, more innovative, and better at retaining top talent. Instead of constantly hiring external consultants or looking to bring in new hires for every new initiative, companies can tap into the intelligence already within their teams. Intrapreneurship also drives a cultural shift—one that increases employee engagement, accountability, and alignment with the company’s long-term goals. The companies that will thrive in the next decade are those that leverage the genius of their people, not just the hierarchy.”
A lot of professionals feel stuck in traditional roles. How can they start becoming intrapreneurs?
Lucia Ferrigno: “It starts with mindset. Professionals need to stop asking, ‘What’s expected of me?’ and start asking, ‘What value can I create here?’ Begin seeing problems as opportunities, speak up with solutions, and lead initiatives—no matter how small. But perhaps most importantly, professionals should start building something that belongs to them on the side—not as an escape, but as an expansion. When professionals begin building businesses in parallel with their jobs, they become even more valuable to their employers, not less.”
Wait—are you saying that building a business helps you in your job?
Lucia Ferrigno: “100%. This is something many companies get wrong. There’s a misconception that side businesses signify disloyalty, but the opposite is true. When professionals learn how to build something of their own, they gain sharper strategy, deeper empathy, better decision-making skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset—all of which feed back into their leadership and effectiveness at work. That’s why at Boosted Unicorn, we teach professionals how to build businesses without quitting their jobs. It’s not about leaving; it’s about evolving.”
You often talk about ‘freedom through structure.’ What does that mean?
Lucia Ferrigno: “Freedom doesn’t come from walking away from your job or blowing up your life. It comes from having a system in place that gives you options. Whether it’s leading at work, building something on the side, or transitioning out on your own terms, structure creates that freedom. When you build with structure—by developing offers, systems, automations, and assets—you’re no longer trading time for money. You’re creating something that pays you and grows with you. That’s the kind of freedom intrapreneurship helps unlock.”
What advice would you give to employers who want to encourage intrapreneurship in their teams?
Lucia Ferrigno: “Start by giving people the room to lead, even without a title. Ask better questions, reward initiative, and stop punishing failure. Create space for experimentation inside the company, and recognize that the best ideas might not always come from the C-suite. Sometimes, they come from the people closest to the work or the problem. And if you truly want to retain top talent, support their personal growth—don’t fear it. The companies that nurture intrapreneurs will always outperform those that try to control them.”
Final thoughts—why is intrapreneurship such a powerful concept right now?
Lucia Ferrigno: “Intrapreneurship is the ultimate win-win. Professionals get to grow, innovate, and lead without sacrificing the security and stability that comes with being part of a company. Employers gain access to internal genius, drive innovation, and create a future-proof workforce. It’s not about escape; it’s about expansion—for both sides. Intrapreneurship is where loyalty meets leadership, and it’s exactly what the modern business world needs more of.”
To learn more about Boosted Unicorn and how Dr. Lucia Ferrigno is empowering professionals to harness the power of intrapreneurship, visit www.boostedunicorn.com. For more information, visit Dr. Lucia Ferrigno on LinkedIn, Boosted Unicorn, and Dr. Lucia Ferrigno on Facebook.