Logan Grayson

“Entrepreneur, student, veteran, outdoorsman, and actively working to create a happier, better life for everyone”

Hometown: Duluth, MN

Fun Fact About Yourself: Despite only being 22, I have been skiing for nearly two decades and am now the head coach for one of the nations top level freeski programs.

Undergraduate School and Major:

University of Minnesota- Carlson School of Management

Entrepreneurial Management and Strategic Management

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:

Entrepreneur/Business Owner

University of Minnesota, Office of Technology Commercialization: Discovery Capital Investment Intern

148th Fighter Wing: Public Affairs Officer

G-Team Minnesota: Head Freeski Coach

What has been your favorite part of the Twin Cities so far? What has made it such a great place to earn an MBA?

I love the ambiguity. Whether through the school or in the local areas, there is always something new and exciting going on. I enjoy being spontaneous and trying new things. The Twin Cities and Carlson really give you the opportunity to do that.

Carlson MBA spend a year in hands-on Enterprise programs for Consulting, Branding, Ventures, and Funds. Which program do you intend to enroll in? What excites most about your Enterprise program?

Having previously graduated from Carlson I had the opportunity to experience the enterprises as a high  performing undergrad. I spent a year in the Ventures Enterprise and was able to further develop my entrepreneurship skills and build a relationship with director Toby Nord. As I returned to Carlson and entered into the MBA program I was able to move into a Graduate Assistant role and advise on all of the enterprise’s projects. As I begin my own curriculum at the MBA level I intend to enroll in the Brands Enterprise while still working as an advisor for Ventures. What I love about Carlson’s Enterprise programs is that I not only get to learn the material in a traditional classroom setting but I get to immediately immerse myself into real world scenarios of this same material. I am really excited for the opportunity to experience a new side of business in the Brands Enterprise and be able to bring a new skill set to myself and wherever my career may take me.

Aside from your classmates, experiential learning, and location, what was the key part of the Carlson MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? 

When choosing Carlson for my MBA there were two aspects that equally stood out to me. The first is the school’s tremendous veteran support. Being a veteran myself, it was important to me that I found a school that supports and values my unique experiences. The school has amazing scholarships for veterans and really helps students such as myself. The second is Carlson’s huge entrepreneurship community. The Twin Cities area is well known for its creation and support of hundreds of startups each year and Carlson is at the center of it all. Throughout my time in Minneapolis, I have had the chance to experience and contribute to this community. Whether it’s through enterprise programs, resources, or unique start-up classes, the school actively fosters this community. While working towards an MBA at Carlson you are given the opportunity to dive even deeper which gave me all the more reason to choose the school.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

My biggest accomplishment in my career has been successfully running my own businesses. Everyone dreams of being their own boss but very few people realize how big of a commitment it is to bet on yourself and truly take a leap of faith. Through dedication, strategic decision-making, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, I have learned to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. From running an auto body shop to designing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling my own line of clothing. This accomplishment not only reflects my business acumen but has taught me more than I ever could imagine about what it takes to be an entrepreneur. No matter the level of success, I take pride in the foundation, growth, and impact of my businesses, as they stand as a testament to my ability to turn vision into reality in the ever changing world that is today.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far:

My biggest accomplishment as an MBA Student thus far has been the opportunity to receive numerous fellowships and awards for a social enterprise start-up that I am currently working on. I have been working on developing a platform that will allow deployed and re-stationed military service members to continue their education at their enrolled universities without being forced to lose months or even years off their degree progress. As a veteran who has experienced this issue firsthand I am ecstatic to see there are people out there who support me in finding a solution to this problem. With my startup I have been accepted into the MIN-Corps MVP Challenge, received the Sands Fellowship, and have been nominated and applied for numerous other grants. This has been my biggest accomplishment and the highlight of my MBA. I am excited to see where I can take the idea, and even more excited to see the people I may be able to help.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far?

The best memory of my MBA by far has been meeting my classmates. The once complete strangers, who in a very short time have now become some of my best friends.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Carlson MBA program?

Wherever you’re at in life, get involved with as much as you can. In any position, I truly believe you get out what you put in. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone, experience new things, meet new people, and I believe the school will notice and value the things you have done and the person you have become.