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MickeyJohn36
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Joined: 21 Jan 2015
Last visit: 20 May 2015
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Location: United States
Concentration: Strategy, Entrepreneurship
GPA: 3.6
WE:Account Management (Advertising and PR)
Posts: 7
Kudos: 5
Work experience: Business is failing 18 Feb 2015, 19:58
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Hey guys,

I've been an entrepreneur for the past 4 years and only recently has my business started to decline. I took up a second job at a mid-stage tech startup to gain some operational skills as well as to gain an inside look at what growth looks like (as that was a major problem with my business). Unfortunately it's an entry level position and I feel that it would be frowned upon on my CV (oh I'm a US applicant applying to EU schools if that matters). Furthermore it doesn't pay well and as we all know, MBA degree's are not cheap.

I'm trying to gain my business back but if it doesn't work out then I would need a job that can support me financially up until I leave for school.

Question: What should I do?
- Stay at this entry level position and do my business on the side?
- Sell what's left of my company and find a better position that can develop my business skills and prepare me for B-school?

I'm going to b-school to develop the skills I need to be a better entrepreneur and will actually have a business idea that I will bring with me into the MBA program. What do you guys think of me working in the industry where I want to start a business? I can gain consumer data, learn the industry and so on. Let me know what you guys and gals think. Thanks in advance!
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touchmba
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Joined: 25 Sep 2013
Last visit: 10 Nov 2025
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Location: Viet Nam
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Marketing
GPA: 3.7
WE:Human Resources (Education)
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Work experience: Business is failing 19 Feb 2015, 12:13
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It sounds like you're an entrepreneur through and through. I'd stick with option 1 (your experience won't be frowned upon if it's related to your career vision). I do think it would be great if you could get experience in your target industry as well, so if money is an issue, then option 2 is not a bad choice. In sense, both are different paths to the same destination and that's what you need to show in your application - work experience that is congruent with your career goals. Good luck with your businesses!
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MickeyJohn36
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Joined: 21 Jan 2015
Last visit: 20 May 2015
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
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Location: United States
Concentration: Strategy, Entrepreneurship
GPA: 3.6
WE:Account Management (Advertising and PR)
Posts: 7
Kudos: 5
Work experience: Business is failing 19 Feb 2015, 20:53
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Thanks for the feedback. I do believe that either paths would be congruent to my goal however I'm getting mixed reviews from speaking with others and reading more about what adcom looks for in an applicant.

I also sent you a PM.