Start Smart is a business development platform which supports small- and medium-sized enterprises in Africa, by encouraging financial literacy. Taylor and Ryan have supported me on a number of tasks. These have included redesigning our logo and overall rebranding, developing an approach to social media marketing and the publication of our first self-titled book, Start Smart. My work with Taylor and Ryan started out as a 3-week “Winternship” back in December, but I’ve been so impressed with their work that we’ve decided to keep things going for the remainder of their time at Fuqua. Though the majority of the work has been done virtually, we have had a chance to meet in person and regularly speak over the phone.

Up until recently I had been managing Start Smart on my own, which made it difficult to get everything done, so it’s been great to have some extra hands on board. Working with MMSers has been an amazingly rewarding experience. It’s given me the chance to benefit from their ideas and creativity, and reflect on the fact that not too long ago, I was in their shoes. Additionally, they’ve had a chance to build skills and experience in marketing that I believe will be helpful in their respective careers, once they graduate from Fuqua. Go MMS!

While I was a student at Fuqua, I found a number of resources to support my dream, both through Fuqua itself and the broader Duke community. These included start-up competitions, speaking with alumni and students who were entrepreneurs, and interacting with professors with industry experience.

After graduating in May, I was worried that not being on campus would make it more difficult for me to be able to continue to build upon the knowledge and network I had begun to accumulate. I found though, that it has been the exact opposite.

I recently attended a DukeGEN networking event facilitated by the Duke Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Washington D.C., where I currently live. Though I didn’t meet anyone that I already knew, it was a great opportunity to not only meet new Dukies, but also learn more about what it’s like to be an entrepreneur. I heard about both positive and negative experiences, but the recurring themes of the evening were:

1. Persistence - Nothing happens overnight
2. Networking - Many people out there are willing to help, they just don’t know who needs their help
3. Learning and Flexibility – Things change, so keep your ears and your options open

The event was a two-hour happy hour and as such it was fairly informal. Having this kind of set-up though made it much easier to mingle with the other entrepreneurs and learn more about their backgrounds. I would encourage all Dukies, both alumni and current students to take advantage of what Duke has to offer on and off campus. You never know what you’ll find!

I recently had the opportunity to return to Fuqua for the first time since I graduated in May. It was great to be back in Durham and reconnect with the Fuqua community, both new and old! The trip wasn’t just social though, I came back to help facilitate the Accenture Case Challenge. This case challenge has become a tradition in Duke and Accenture’s long-standing relationship. I felt very fortunate to participate this year, as a representative of Accenture, where I currently work as a business analyst.

Taking notes during the case competition.

Beyond coming down to see the case competition, I had the opportunity to participate in actually writing it from beginning to end. This was an especially wonderful opportunity for me, because as a student, I did not participate in the competition. With my academic and extracurricular commitments (to The Black Student Association and the blog), I didn’t feel that I’d be able to dedicate the necessary attention to the case.

This year, I chose to support the challenge because it’s a great way for MMS students to gain first-hand experience with the types of clients and work that Accenture (and consultants in general) do. The client involved in this year’s competition was a Durham-based non-profit, ChangeEducate, founded by Duke University alumni. The organization increases awareness about poverty to motivate students to make meaningful changes to the situation, particularly within the realm of social entrepreneurship. Five MMS teams participated in the final round of the competition, presenting a comprehensive launch strategy for a new product from ChangeEducate.

The challenge was very rigorous. Students were treated like real consultants and their presentations judged accordingly. I was thoroughly impressed with the breadth and depth of the students’ recommendations, especially since some of them had no prior consulting experience, like Lily Shabani, who is also a student blogger. Check out her post about her experience in the competition!

Sitting in the Kirby Reading Room, I couldn’t help but reminisce as I watched this year’s MMS students overcome their nerves and present their strategies — watching them was like seeing a kind of re-run of my past. Looking back, I couldn’t help but reflect on the knowledge and skills that I gained in one year at Fuqua, which allowed me to successfully enter the consulting industry. I hope that this year’s (and future) students take full advantage of the opportunities available to them, like case competitions, because it’s a fantastic way to gain hands-on experience which will set them apart during their job search, and will be beneficial once they land a job.

Congratulations to the winners of the case competition – Omar El-Sayed, Andrew Hobbs and Mark Prizov! (See some photos on Facebook.) As the winning team, each of these students was awarded a first-round interview with Accenture, and I wish them luck in their interview process!

As an alumna, I’d love to return to Fuqua again at some point in the near future, and I look forward to engaging with the MMS program and the school in any way that I can. Go Duke!

On-Campus Housing

Though it’s limited, there is graduate student housing on campus. As with most campus housing it’s not fancy, but it’s functional. Apply here.

Off-Campus Housing

• Bus Route Accessible Locations: The Belmont, Poplar West, The Lofts, Trinity Commons, The Forest, Colonial Village

• Need a Car for Transportation: The Parc at University Tower (this is where I lived and I loved it; it’s affordable, safe and has great management) and West Village

This list is by no means exhaustive; but includes places where most of my classmates lived.

As you prepare to move to Durham and get started at Fuqua, I thought I’d share a few tips to make your transition into academic life a bit smoother. The summer term (beginning July 18) is in my opinion one of the most challenging. It starts with accounting, business communications, and quantitative analysis — at the same time, you’ll start the job search process and become more familiar with Fuqua. There are many more orientation events, so the days tend to be long. To help you get started on the right foot I recommend:

1. Do the preterm assignments in advance. Trust me — trying to finish the accounting assignment the day before class starts is no fun. Finish it now, and get comfortable with the material. You’ll probably have to hand in some of it, and you’re expected to do the rest on your own. I suggest that you do it all. Once classes start you’ll be glad you did.
2. Think about your career. If you’re interested in fields that have an early recruiting season, such as finance or consulting, begin your research before school starts. Begin thinking strategically about your career, and what you have to offer. Identify what you believe are your strengths, so that when you come to Fuqua you’ll be prepared to put your resume into “Fuqua format.” You may also find it helpful to create a list of firms you’re interested in, why you think they’d be a good fit for you, and why you’d be a good fit for them.
3. Identify your goals. What do you want MMS to do for you? By identifying what you’d like to take away from Fuqua (beyond a job and the curriculum), you can take advantage of the many resources that exist. Additionally, if you’re unsure about which career path to pursue, writing down your goals might help you figure out what you want in a job.
4. Find an extracurricular activity you’re interested in and dive in early! The academics will be demanding, and you may be tempted to postpone getting involved beyond the classroom — don’t! It’s a great way to destress and also give back to and interact with those around you. If the activity you’re interested in doesn’t exist at Fuqua, make it happen. Fuqua is extremely supportive of your interests.
5. Brush up on your math skills. If you’re not a quantitatively oriented person, review some of that high school and college math, particularly basic statistics concepts. You’ll be glad you did once the term is in full swing.

Hope this helps!! Good luck in your transition to Fuqua.

I’ve had a long standing interest in entrepreneurship, particularly in emerging markets. (Read one of my previous posts about entrepreneurship resources at Fuqua.) What I hope to eventually focus on is business development and strategy in emerging markets. I worked in Ghana for a year before starting the MMS program, and that gave me great exposure in my areas of interest. In addition, the MMS program helped me refine my skills in a way I never would have imagined. I’ve found that my approach to problem solving has become far more systematic. I hear about an issue and immediately recognize options and solutions from cases that we covered in class.

Currently, I’m working on two projects, one is my own and the other is related to my family’s business. My project Start Smart is an online accounting portal targeted at simplifying the financial management process for small- and medium-sized businesses in Ghana. With what I’ve learned at Fuqua I’ve been able to refine the software, create a blog to help me connect with entrepreneurs, and identify effective ways to market and develop my product. It’s still far from being a business, and I’m unsure of where it’ll take me in the future, but I feel far more confident in the outcome being a positive one. With respect to my family’s business, my MMS degree has also proven to be an asset. I’m implementing solutions ranging from supply chain, to marketing, to strategy.

It’s still early, but it’s encouraging to see that my time at Fuqua was truly well spent.

Favorite Professor: Scott Dyreng

Favorite Off-Campus Hangout: American Tobacco District

Best MMS Social Event: Winter Formal

Best BBQ: Q-Shack

Favorite Late-Night Eatery: Thai Cafe

Best Local Deals/Happy Hour: Shrimp Boats

Something I Wish I’d Done Differently: Spent more time exploring North Carolina

Bucket List: Road trip to Charlotte

A Quote Encompassing my MMS Experience/Memories: Learn through experience

Most Random Thing to do in Durham: Ride the mechanical bull at Shooters

The MMS Class Gift is presented to Dean Bill Boulding during graduation. Thanks to everyone who participated in the gift!

A big part of the graduation ceremony was the presentation of the class gift, which was given to Dean Bill Boulding by three members of the Annual Giving Committee — Obinna Arizor, Crystal Luo and Devon Bostock. This year’s theme was “All Hands on Deck,” and focused on encouraging class-wide participation in the gift. The class gift effort is largely a student-led initiative. With 78% participation, this year’s class gift totaled an impressive $3,340.84. For all that Fuqua has given to us, it felt great to give something back to the school.

As an incoming or prospective student, the concept of a class gift may seem abstract to you, but it actually ties quite strongly to your Fuqua experience. Proceeds from the class gift go toward funding faculty research, and other resources at Fuqua. Plus, once you graduate, it helps to fund alumni services and benefits.

The class gift presentation was just one example of all the hard work that we’ve put into the program. All in all, graduation was a great experience — a wonderful reward for everything we’ve gone through. And I felt honored to have been chosen by my classmates to speak to them in one last, official capacity during graduation — it was a bitter sweet moment for me.

As I move on, I offer some thoughts to the incoming MMS class of 2013: as you begin the next phase of your lives, I wish you the best of luck. It’ll be an awesome ride, which may seem impossible at times, but don’t give up — it’s well worth the effort. It’s important to decide what you want your degree to do for you, and you’ll begin to see yourself transform before you even graduate.

With friends at the end-of-the-year banquet.

Fuqua sponsored our end-of-the-year banquet just over a week ago at one of Durham’s best Italian restaurants, Piazza Italia. The event provided an opportunity to celebrate each other and our accomplishments. It was also a great way to socialize as a class. The night was filled with beautiful dresses, sharp suits, great food, great conversation and most important, great company. In addition to spending time with each other, we mingled with the faculty and staff who we’ve met during our time here at Fuqua. Some photos of the event are on the MMS Facebook page.

Classmate Albert Chen tries to quiet the applause as he accepts a Distinguished Service Award. He led many peer tutoring sessions during the year.

The atmosphere was electric, with everyone relieved to have exams behind them, and looking forward to graduation. It was really a celebration, and a number of students were recognized with awards for both leadership and service. Student award photos and descriptions are on Facebook.

Transformational Experience

On a personal level, the banquet provided time for me to reflect. The MMS program has been a great experience. I will admit that the journey has been tough and at times overwhelming, but I’m definitely glad that I made it. I had the chance to refine the things that I thought I already knew, and gained completely new knowledge. In the classroom, I’ve learned how to create and deliver a business presentation, value a company’s stock, analyze a company’s strategy, and research the ways in which consumers think. Outside of the classroom, I’ve had the chance to develop my entrepreneurial interests, work with the local Durham community, and form what I hope will be lifelong friendships. As the MMS program continues to grow and develop, and as more and more students leave their mark, I believe the program will flourish. I hope the program continues to truly be transformational, like it was for me.

What’s Next?

Graduation was just this past weekend, and I’m already feeling a bit nostalgic. On the other hand, I’m excited about what lies ahead. Though there is a large emphasis on working after graduation, there is also room for diversity in terms of post-graduation pursuits. My classmates are entering the traditional fields of finance, consulting and marketing, but there are also some who have chosen to devote their time to social enterprise projects, The Peace Corps, entrepreneurial pursuits, or their family business. A few classmates are also going on to pursue further graduate studies. I believe this reflects how Fuqua has appreciated and nurtured our diverse array of interests. There’s great flexibility in terms of what you can do after graduating from MMS! No matter where my classmates go, I wish everyone the best! Good luck and congratulations on graduation!

A scene about graduation, from the Fuqua Musical.

One of our final events was Fuqua Friday. Fuqua Friday is a weekly opportunity for the Fuqua community to gather and unwind over great food and drinks. Our last Fuqua Friday was especially memorable as it was held during reunion weekend. Fuqua alumni from across a number of class years came back to enjoy each other’s company and to interact with current students. It was great to hear about their experiences post-Fuqua and also meet their families. It’ll be interesting to see what my own Fuqua reunion will be like!

Another highlight of Fuqua Friday was the first-ever Fuqua Musical and Fuqua Idol. Fuqua Idol is an annual talent competition, which gives Fuquans the opportunity to showcase their skills in the realm of song and dance. The show was filled with lots of great humor and talent, and I must admit that some skills were more “unique” than others.

One of my classmates takes a swing during the tennis tournament.

Fuqua Friday provided a great opening to the weekend, which included the singles charity tennis tournament hosted by the MMS non-profit club. The purpose of the tournament was to raise money for two charities: Our Golden Hour and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Though the tournament was short, it was a great opportunity to relax and also dedicate time to a worthy cause. As a student, seeing events like this reminds me of the great value that Fuqua puts on remaining engaged with our community, despite our numerous other commitments. Considering that we’re preparing to enter the professional world where there will be many demands on our time, learning how to fit in charitable activities is a great lesson to learn now.

With these final events, and the program wrapping up, I know I’ll truly miss Fuqua and what it has offered me. Hopefully the next time I see Fuqua Idol, it’ll be during my alumni reunion!