Charles Sepulveda

Boston University, Questrom School of Business – OMBA

“Entrepreneur building fintech and AI solutions for small businesses while completing an MBA at Boston University.”

Age: 36

Hometown: Queens, NY

Fun fact about yourself: It took me 12 years to get my undergraduate degree, and I started my first business while sleeping on a futon in a rented Bronx living room.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Charter Oak State College – Bachelor’s degree

Where are you currently working?

CEO – Xtraspots
CEO – CAS Holding Company focused on Real Estate, Retail, Payments, AI Consulting, and Technology Solutions

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I’m most proud of building businesses that help small and midsize companies compete with larger firms. Coming from humble beginnings, I know how hard it can be for entrepreneurs to access technology, capital, and strategic guidance. Before starting my own ventures, I advanced at companies like Citibank and Salesforce before I had completed my undergraduate degree. What I didn’t learn in the classroom early on, I gained through real-world experience serving retail and enterprise customers, solving problems, and building relationships from the ground up.

I truly found my calling while working at Rewards Network, where I had the opportunity to interact directly with small business owners every day. That experience showed me the challenges entrepreneurs face and inspired me to build companies focused on helping them succeed.

Through my businesses, I have been able to help owners reduce costs, modernize operations, and grow revenue through payments, AI, automation, and technology solutions. What makes me most proud is knowing that many of the people we work with are family-owned businesses trying to create a better future for themselves. Every business we help represents someone’s dream, sacrifice, and livelihood, and being able to play even a small role in their growth is something I never take for granted.

Giving back beyond business is equally important to me. I’m deeply involved with nonprofits and community initiatives across New York City and lower-income neighborhoods throughout the Tri-State area. I help run programs that teach entrepreneurship, business, and technology to students who may not yet see the opportunities available to them. Our efforts include Shark Tank style pitch competitions in public housing, mentorship events, and fundraisers that provide Bronx children with backpacks and school supplies.

The most meaningful part of this work is connecting with young people who share my background. Seeing someone who grew up in the city, speaks Spanish, understands their environment, and has faced similar challenges helps students believe in what’s possible. It reinforces that success, education, and entrepreneurship are within their reach.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I chose Boston University because of its strong reputation, innovative approach to education, and focus on real-world business strategy. The online MBA format allowed me to continue operating and scaling my businesses while learning directly from world-class faculty and collaborating with professionals from around the world. I wanted an MBA program that challenged me at the same level as a top executive environment, while still allowing flexibility for entrepreneurship. I only applied here: if I didn’t get in, I was going to keep trying in true entrepreneur fashion.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My favorite part was collaborating with professionals from different industries and backgrounds across the country and world. The diversity of experiences made discussions far more practical and dynamic than traditional classroom learning. I also appreciated how the program emphasized teamwork, leadership, and applying concepts immediately to real business situations. Even though we are “online”, it didn’t feel that way as there are dozens of in person events, meetups, and workshops that make us feel connected in person with the flexibility on online.

How did your online MBA experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? My online MBA experience was significantly more collaborative, strategic, and professionally focused than my undergraduate experience. As an undergraduate student, much of the work centered on individual academic performance. In the MBA program, the emphasis shifted toward leadership, communication, decision-making, and solving real business challenges with teams. The online format also taught me discipline, time management, and how to effectively lead and collaborate remotely

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Treat the program like a real executive role, not just a series of classes. Time management, communication, and consistency are everything. Show up fully prepared, contribute to your teams, and apply what you learn immediately to real-life situations. Also, do not underestimate the power of networking with classmates and professors. Those relationships can become incredibly valuable long after graduation.

How has your online MBA education helped you in your current job? My MBA education has strengthened my ability to think strategically and operate at a higher executive level. It improved how I approach leadership, financial planning, market analysis, organizational behavior, and global strategy. I have already applied concepts from the program to my businesses, especially around scaling operations, evaluating growth opportunities, and integrating AI and fintech solutions into products and services for clients.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? While completing the MBA, I expanded my role as an entrepreneur by growing my businesses into broader fintech, AI, and consulting solutions for small and midsize companies. We continue to hire and grow including recent grads from Boston University. I also transitioned into more strategic advisory and partnership roles focused on payments, technology transformation, and AI integration.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program? As an entrepreneur and husband actively running multiple businesses, stepping away full-time was not realistic. The online MBA allowed me to continue building companies while immediately applying classroom concepts to real business operations. It provided the flexibility I needed without sacrificing academic rigor or quality.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Boston University integrated AI into discussions around strategy, operations, innovation, and decision-making. One of the biggest insights I gained is that AI is not simply a technology tool, it is becoming a competitive advantage for businesses that know how to leverage it effectively. I learned that leaders who understand both the opportunities and limitations of AI will be better positioned to improve efficiency, customer experience, and long-term growth.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 20-25

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term goal is to build a global technology and fintech platform that helps small businesses compete more effectively through AI, payments, automation, and financial tools. I want to create solutions that make advanced business technology accessible to everyday entrepreneurs, especially underserved businesses and communities that are often overlooked by larger institutions. When I first started, I aggressively needed funding and Venture Capital help, they all said no so we all rolled up our sleeves and started building ourselves. One client at a time and I am proud of my team for not giving up!

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.