Skills networks How my MBA made me an entrepreneur

â€Å"Imagine cutting out the reliance on the seasons, on water, land, and transport in food production. Imagine being able to grow extra-nutritious food in a fraction of the time at home, without even having to think about it. This could ultimately spell the end of the global food crisis!† Looking back, Sabrina Palme is amused by her â€Å"eureka moment† that summer’s evening in Shanghai. She was studying at Hult International Business School for her MBA and had got chatting to a classmate about hydroponics. That was it—her imagination was sparked. Having always felt that she wanted to make a difference in the world, she couldn’t help thinking this could be something big. So that night over dumplings she floated the concept to fellow Hult MBA, Andre Quintanilha. â€Å"When Andre got excited too, I knew we could be onto something. With a head for numbers and logistics, he’s a natural cynic. So when he caught my passion, I knew it wasn’t just me getting carried away!† But life went on. Sabrina and Andre were half-way through balancing the demands of an intensive one-year MBA program and immersing themselves in Chinese culture and an MBA cohort of over 30 other nationalities. The time flew by; they both graduated, joined the job market, and carried on with daily life. But the hydroponics idea kept tapping away on Sabrina’s shoulder. Hult MBAs Sabrina and Andre at their graduation ceremony in 2015. â€Å"I enrolled onto my MBA hoping to find my passion and make a difference in the world. But I still wasn’t sure what that was and I was hoping Hult could help me tap into it† says Sabrina. Peter Hill, her Hult careers advisor in Shanghai, was very patient with her but she couldn’t help feeling she exasperated him with her ever-changing career aspirations, from marketing, to consulting, to entrepreneurialism. â€Å"Peter helped me delve deeper into my motivations and I discovered that it didn’t actually matter about the industry, but I wanted to do something to make the world better and to feel I had made a contribution.† â€Å"My careers advisor at Hult helped me to delve deeper into my motivations and I discovered that what I really wanted to do was to make the world better and feel I had made a contribution.† Then, 18 months ago, both living and freelancing in London, Andre and Sabrina decided to go for it. They dedicated all their spare time to developing their hydroponics startup, Gartenzwerg. Having previously worked together to launch their own startup for the Hult Business Challenge as part of their MBA program, they knew they had complementary skillsets and a competitive advantage. â€Å"The learnings we took from the Hult Business Challenge were invaluable in researching and understanding our concept for Gartenzwerg. How do you project sales? How do you estimate the value of your company? The questions we needed to answer were the same. And we had honed our skills of persuasion, utilizing feedback, working as a team, and making decisions in uncertain environments, so we were already half-way there thanks to that experience.† Gartenzwerg mimics the perfect growing environment. â€Å"We would come home in the evening and start researching prototypes. We tested the concept and had someone testing the technology. The product is very advanced and technical. The whole point is that the consumer doesn’t need to know anything about growing food to make it work because the app runs it for them. But that means that delivering the prototype is a painstaking task of complexity. It is critical to program the right PH levels, light intensity, water requirements, etc., so the testing phase was crucial. We were functioning on about four hours’ sleep a night and dedicating every waking moment to our day jobs, or to the startup. Our office resembled a jungle! But it was exhilarating to be back in such an intense environment.† The Gartenzwerg app notifies users when the smart plant needs anything. â€Å"The learnings we took from the Hult Business Challenge were invaluable in researching and understanding our concept for our startup. A few months later, everything changed when Sabrina and Andre found an angel investor through the Hult alumni network. A Hult Masters in International Business grad whom they knew from their days in Shanghai got in touch to say her partner was looking for investment opportunities. He invested in Gartenzwerg, which meant Sabrina and Andre could start focusing full-time on the startup and securing connections. Shortly after, they participated in the IoT Tribe accelerator program and hired three more members of staff, covering expertise in embedded systems, software engineering, and plants science. It’s been incredible to see we’ve been getting more and more exposure to the outside world. We have just launched pre-orders on Indiegogo and we plan to commence worldwide shipping by the end of this year. Earlier this year, we had an exciting new opportunity in the Asian market come in. Andre and I traveled to China to visit manufacturers there, and the fact that we lived a year in Shanghai turned out to be a huge benefit for us. We knew their business customs, understood the cultural differences and knew what things to look out for (especially in terms of IP protection). It was then I realized it wasn‘t just the Hult MBA courses that added value, but also the international exposure of where we did it.† Find out more about Gartenzwerg: website, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter   and funding campaign. Do you want to build a career on your own terms and learn to think like an entrepreneur? Mel Cloney is a staff blogger working in London, and is passionate about the Hult journey. Her writing focuses on faculty, academics, and student and alumni experiences. She’s a food, scuba, and running junkie with a penchant for all things French. Make the most of what your career has to offer with a Masters in International Business from Hult. To learn more, take a look at our blog 7 steps on the road to success, or give your employability a huge boost with an MBA in international business. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to explore everything about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .