7 questions with Sumalka Mendis
Get to know our MPhil/PhD Business with Management student Sumalka Mendis

My name is Sumalka Mendis and I am from Sri Lanka. I encourage small domestic businesses to go global. I have always found myself engaged in consulting start-ups and small domestic businesses ever since I started studying in the field of business.
I love opting out from brands to off-brand items, only because I believe small businesses of today can become the big brands of tomorrow with a little bit of a push.
My greatest passion in life is supporting local businesses.
I focus my research on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and how to find ways for enterprises to become more global and overcome barriers which hinder their growth.
I feel Plymouth is the ideal place to study SMEs because there are so many local businesses focussed on serving the city or the county.
Most of these businesses are restricted to this geographical area due to a variety of reasons and I believe that gives me a great opportunity to enhance my research knowledge and find ways to help them grow.
The best thing about studying in Plymouth is all the great support available.
The commitment the University and its academics have towards supporting students, in all our academic ventures, is just amazing.
The student-teacher relationship is very strong here and I feel my supervisors are always just an email away whenever I have a problem or need feedback.
I like to live life on the edge, take risks and put myself in really stressful situations. Most of the things I do are fears that I want myself to overcome.
You will never know how scared you are of something or someone until you actually put yourself through the situation.
And the learning or the experience you get by facing the fear is what matters at the end.
With a wide smile.
We talk about a lot of things that can change the world in the present context, but I believe kindness and empathy is what we need the most. If humans can start to behave more humane, I think the world would be a better place.
Be kind, be grateful, respect all and fear none.
For more information about studying business management please visit our PhD Business with Management. For more information about our range of courses within the Plymouth Business School please visit the school page.
If you would like to find out what other relevant alumni are currently doing, please visit the business, law, logistics and management interest area.