Meet the Babson Olin MBA Class of 2018

Manuel L. Corcuera Ramírez de Arellano 

Babson College, F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: I´m a serial entrepreneur passionate about contributing to society. I love sports and most of all to travel.

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico.

Fun Fact About Yourself: I´m a Skeet national champion.

Undergraduate School and Major:

Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.

BS, Entrepreneurship

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

– Mezcal Sibarita, Co-Founder and CEO

– Comercializadora Agua Santa, Co-Founder and CFO

– Abraxas Capital, Co-Founder and Board Member

– Polimob, Co-Founder and Board Member

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In 2012, my business partners and I launched Sibarita´s first product to the market. Soon after we started selling, we realized that the product packaging was negatively affecting sales. When I sensed the discouragement in the team due to the setback, I reassured them that with the proper design we could make our venture a success.

We wanted to have a product that was different from the ones our competitors had; in order to do so, we had to take some risks. I guided our team as we conducted extensive market research, listened to experts in the field, chose another design company, and ultimately changed the personality of the product. Finally, we had an elegant premium product that celebrated our Mexican heritage. As soon as we launched it our company began to rise. It´s very exciting to see what you can achieve when you dare to be innovative.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants?  Applying to business school is a long and tough process. The GMAT can be very time-consuming and stressful, so I really recommend planning ahead by giving yourself enough time to prepare for it. The application itself can also be overwhelming. At the same time, it is a great opportunity. In my case, I had to do a lot of self-reflection about my life, my career and my future. This resulted in amazing insights, and I believe this is what schools are looking for. Doing an MBA is one of the best experiences you can have. The amount of knowledge you gain, the people you meet, and the friends you make, are a once in a lifetime opportunity.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? Babson has the perfect innovation and entrepreneurial environment, attributes that align perfectly with my vision for my career. Babson is the best school for entrepreneurship worldwide, so the professors it attracts are incredible. The culture of collaboration and excellence really make it the best place to be at.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? At this point, I am looking to start a new venture. I am taking advantage of everything that Babson offers to build something that can have a big impact in my country.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? The most important thing I want them to say is that I was a good friend to them, someone they could count on and learn from. I hope I can have a positive impact on the lives of as many friends as possible. This to me would be the biggest success.