Ammar Ejaz

University of Washington’s Foster School of Business

“An entrepreneur in pursuit of opportunities to learn and experiences to gain.”

Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan

Fun Fact About Yourself: My father was in the military. Growing up, we moved cities and countries quite often. I had gone through 16 schools by the time I got into college.

Undergraduate School and Major: Brunel University, International Business

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: CEO at Backstreet Private Limited

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment was taking a step into the unknown, resigning from the relative security of a banking career and setting up a successful business in a developing country, in a market that lacked the support structures taken for granted in the developed world such as established logistical frameworks and access to finance.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? I have found the classmates I have interacted with to be driven, energetic, and ambitious, with a profound desire to prove themselves. But the quality that describes them best would be the spirit of inclusion and collaboration that caught me off guard. I came into the program expecting cut-throat competitiveness and rivalry. Instead, I was taken back by the collaborative atmosphere and community spirit of the cohort. I feel that this reflects the general atmosphere of the school where everyone is supportive and considerate.

What makes Seattle such a great place to earn an MBA? As an entrepreneur, I have had the ability to witness first-hand the importance of experiential learning. Seattle’s thriving business community, and the school’s connection to industry through its alumni network, make the city the perfect place to learn. The interaction with everyone from global industry leaders to ambitious startups makes Seattle a unique MBA proposition.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Foster’s emphasis and embrace of diversity and inclusiveness made this program an easy choice for me. Growing up, I had the incredible fortune of seeing amazing new places, meeting new people and undertaking unique experiences. This left me with a lasting impression on the importance of diversity in personal growth. At Foster, my classmates represent an extraordinary range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. I truly believe that this diversity of experiences represents the most precious opportunity to learn.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I would love to be part of the Consulting Society. I believe that my entrepreneurial background has given me plenty of opportunities to act as a problem-solver, and I would love to test myself on consulting case interviews. I also hope that my experiences of working in a developing country will allow me to think of out-of-the-box solutions and to add value to the learning of others around me.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? When asked about how I could contribute to the learning of others around me, I felt that I really had to dig deep to find my self-confidence and conviction. Applying to a top-tier MBA program and being surrounded by individuals who excel in their relative fields can leave you suffering from imposter syndrome. I got over it by reminding myself that I do have a story to share and that my story is unique, and that my experiences will add value to the learning of others around me.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Five years ago, after leaving a relatively secure career in retail banking, I singled out and entered the apparel retail industry. Five years later, my business has gone from two individuals, working from home to an organization that now retains 60 full-time employees, operates five outstanding retail stores and has an annual revenue of around $500,000. Our business now shows great potential for growth As we transition towards a large-scale organization, I feel that I need to be better prepared for the challenges that come along with complex large-scale organizational hierarchies. I expect an MBA to equip me with the skills needed to upgrade our existing organizational structures and operating procedures to better handle the rigors of our long-term ambitions.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? McCombs (University of Texas), Kenan-Flagler (University of North Carolina), W.P. Carey (Arizona State University)

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I believe that learning in a real-world environment would prepare me best for my future goals. When applying to different schools, my priority was school culture and curriculum. Since I had a very good idea of what I wanted from my MBA, I prioritized schools that placed an emphasis on experiential learning. I evaluated various schools based on their reputations and based on reviews on different news websites devoted to MBAs. Additionally, I reached out to several alumni and current students of each of the schools that I shortlisted. Quite a few people were kind enough to talk to me in detail about their experiences and offer to advise based on my circumstances and requirements.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? In June of 2013, I contracted a life-threatening illness that left me hospitalized and in intensive care for over two months. It was a difficult and testing time, especially knowing that this illness might not be something I recover from. Even though I did eventually recover, it took me a further six weeks to gain enough strength to go back to work. At the time I worked for a large multinational bank in their retail banking division. Although working there was an amazing learning experience, I knew that my true calling lay in entrepreneurship. However, resigning from a secure banking career and into the unknowns of entrepreneurship was something that I was always hesitant about. My illness gave me an opportunity to introspect on my true priorities in life. I resigned from my job on my very first day back and set to work researching entrepreneurial opportunities that I had in mind.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? After completing my MBA, I hope to have gained the skills and experiences required to better lead my company towards our long-term ambitions. In the next few years, I see my company work towards the expansion and growth of our retail brand domestically and eventually transform it into a major player in the apparel industry in Pakistan. In ten years’ time, I see us using this foothold to expand into international markets and ultimately lead my company to a position where it is recognized as a global leader in apparel and fashion retail, with a presence in all major global markets.