I was a dentist and had started an oral care products company that was growing rapidly, with first-year of sales $35M. After a hugely successful start and first-mover advantage, we subsequently blew a $100M opportunity due to my lack of experience and knowledge. Knowing now the severe cost of ignorance, I did not want to repeat that mistake. When I learned about Wharton’s MBA program in San Francisco, I decided to apply. I am still running the same company, and I also just started a small private investment firm.

Why Wharton?

While my professional background was as a dentist, I had also founded an oral-care products company. When Wharton began its West Coast program, I decided that an MBA would help support my role as CEO.

You realize how much you don't know

You don't really know what to expect when you start a program like this. Obviously, you know you're going to be back in school, but the time commitment surprises some people. But what was even more surprising to me is how much I've learned. When you've had a modicum of success, you tend to think that you know it all. But when you get into a program like Wharton, you realize how much you don't yet know.

Immediate impact

I run a company and make decisions at a high level, so I was able to implement what I learned right away, as well as share it with the people I worked with to impact the business on many levels. I was learning new ideas and strategies that were not only interesting to me, but that immediately contributed to the success of our company.