When I arrived at Fuqua’s open house, I was focused on the practical: How would this program fit into my life as a business owner, husband, and father? Would the ROI be worth the time, energy, and family bandwidth? As the second-generation leader of our family business, I carry the weight of continuing a legacy built by those before me — my parents, my business partner, and our team. Pursuing an MBA wasn’t a solo choice. It was about stewardship, about uniting where our family and business are today with where Duke could help take us tomorrow.

The Balancing Act

At the time, I was juggling the demands of business ownership and raising kids. Trying to imagine how an MBA could possibly fit into that equation was hard without experiencing the program first-hand. I assumed I’d be on my own in this pursuit, that getting an MBA was just another challenge to navigate. Instead, I discovered that Duke was prepared to help me include my family on the journey.

At the open house, Fuqua’s admissions team spoke candidly about the balancing act I feared most. They didn’t minimize it — they acknowledged the reality of late nights spent on coursework and readings, weekend classes, and monthly residencies. They pointed to the support structures and intentional features to show that earning an MBA at Fuqua is a team effort, including partner weekends, family weekends, and Blue Devil Celebration. After seeing how families were thoughtfully included throughout the process, I realized that this decision could symbolize us taking a step forward together.

Immediate ROI

Sitting in on a couple of class sessions during the open house brought a surprising layer of return on investment. In Business Analytics, I got a firsthand look at the program’s quantitative rigor. In Leadership, I was introduced to a framework that distinguishes between accidental diminishing behaviors and multiplying behaviors. Within minutes, I was self-diagnosing the “idea fountain,” overwhelming my team with too many thoughts at once, and the “pacesetter,” charging ahead while others were left behind. It was humbling, and oddly funny, to realize how accurately this described my habits. If not flattering, the lesson was useful and immediately actionable. I applied those insights at work the very next week.

Beyond individual growth, the open house connected me to ROI for my business. Through admissions, I was introduced to current students in the energy and environmental space. Those conversations led me to the Center for Energy, Development, and the Global Environment (EDGE), where I saw a world of opportunity. From seminars with industry leaders to exposure to cutting-edge research and practical solutions to regulatory challenges and environmental shifts, I could see how being at Fuqua would help me build forward-looking strategies around tomorrow’s climate challenges.

Seeing My Future at Fuqua

Driving home from Durham, I reflected on all that I had learned that day, like how much of leadership is about self-awareness. My questions about ROI were answered. Fuqua was already delivering returns in frameworks I could apply immediately, industry insights that strengthen my business, and opportunities to make this a meaningful experience for my whole family.

I came to Fuqua for professional growth, but I’ve stayed energized by something more: the joy of being here. That joy comes out in a few different ways, but none better than seeing how my five-year-old has caught the Duke spirit. She cheers at games in her Duke swag. For her, it’s fun; for me, it’s a reminder that this journey is for all of us.