Jose Antonio Alonso Beckmann

Columbia Business School

“Mexican tequila entrepreneur, innovator with solid core ethics and values, and loving family man.”

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m got married in Tequila, Jalisco!

Undergraduate School and Major: Universidad Iberoamericana – Finance Major

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Founder & CEO of Celosa Tequila

What makes New York City such a great place to earn an MBA? An MBA in New York City provides professional experience because the city is a global hub for finance, commerce, and international business. As a student in this city, you’re not just limited to the classroom; you get hands-on exposure to real-world business dynamics, gaining insight into the pulse of global commerce. The city’s diverse cultural fabric adds another layer of richness to the learning experience, exposing you to many perspectives at your doorstep. NYC’s status as home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, startups, and industry events offers limitless networking opportunities. This unique positioning allows students to build connections, learn directly from industry leaders, and explore finance, fashion, technology, spirits, or media sectors.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Columbia Business School’s MBA curriculum programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? After doing extensive research on various MBA programs, it became clear that Columbia Business School was the optimal choice for my specific needs and aspirations. Columbia’s curriculum stands out due to its emphasis on diverse sectors like Finance, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Retail, and Luxury Goods. These areas resonate deeply with my background in running a tequila company. The convergence of finance principles with the nuances of luxury branding and retailing is exactly what I need to elevate my business to the next level. Given my long-term vision and the path I’ve charted for my professional journey, I am confident that Columbia’s multifaceted approach will provide the comprehensive toolkit I seek, making it the ideal institution to help me fulfill my plan.

What has been your first impression of the Columbia Business School MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best CBS story so far. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet many of my classmates during an informal trip to the Hamptons. Even though I’ve had diverse experiences, having attended a boarding school and participated in an exchange program in London, the connections I forged during this trip were uniquely rapid and deep. I was heartened to find that everyone on the trip was genuinely open to forming new friendships. I encountered individuals from diverse corners of the globe, yet they all shared a striking similarity: their humility, friendliness, and openness. It was clear that we shared a core set of values.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Columbia Business School? At Columbia Business School, what excites me the most is the CBS Spirits Club. As the founder of a tequila company named “Celosa,” I recognize the significance of being immersed into the beverage industry’s network and trends. This student-run organization, tailored especially for the beverage sector, presents an unparalleled collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and networking platform. Engaging with the  club, I anticipate meeting critical players in the spirits world. Such an environment is invaluable for an entrepreneur like me. It offers connections to experienced industry professionals and ensures I stay updated with the evolving trends.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The biggest accomplishment in my career so far has been founding Celosa Tequila. What began as a mere experiment has evolved into a concept and that into an international product.

What do you hope to do after graduation? After graduation I plan to return to full time management of Celosa Tequila.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Stanford, Harvard, and London Business School

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Columbia Business School’s MBA program? Beyond the GMAT scores, it’s important to be precise in your essays, mixing them with personal experiences and reflections. Highlight what sets you apart, both in your professional journey and personal character. As for the interview, while preparation is key, an extremely helpful tip I received was to approach it as if you were talking to your best friend. Allow your interviewer a genuine glimpse into your      personality by being completely transparent.

DON’T MISS: MEET COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2025