Duke Weekend Executive MBA Student Blog

Fuqua has been transformative not just in building knowledge and skills, but in shaping how I see myself, others, and the future.

Looking back, I was afraid of change. But going to Duke gave me the confidence to leap from what was comfortable and grow in a new place.

When I got accepted, I was happy but also unsure. I didn’t have all the answers, but I would soon learn that I didn’t need them to experience a big transformation.

My experience at Fuqua gave me the confidence to embark on this entrepreneurial journey and allowed me to go beyond traditional roles, setting up the infrastructure that we needed to get things off the ground and bring the product to market.

I came to Duke to layer business strategy on top of my design skills and be capable of creating the change I want to see in the world, but I quickly felt out of place.

Over a 10+ year span, Duke has supplied the environments, experiences, and connections to spur my business dream.

I had no idea that silly video would spark a world of opportunity, and I definitely didn’t expect it would inspire me to pursue my MBA at Duke.

After years of detours, doubts, and delays, I had finally said yes to a long-held dream, but I was quickly reminded that dreaming and doing are two very different things.

Serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment, the U.S. Army helped me find aspects of a home that I missed growing up and joining Fuqua feels like coming home all over again.

Understanding your client’s pain points and aligning your solution with their strategic goals creates a compelling case for transformation — and demonstrates the real-world value of applying MBA lessons to drive results.