Candidate:

Ms. Indian Fashion Entrepreneur

About Me:

I’m a creative professional and a first-generation entrepreneur with 15 years of experience and strong problem solving, product, and team management skills. I have diverse experience from working with global fashion brands (in a corporate job in Indian Exports) and the Indian market in my direct-to-consumer kids clothing brand and start-up in Indian retail.

Additional Candidate Commentary:
Given that I am from non-stem/ IT background and I am an older candidate, I want to understand what my chances are of being accepted into the top full-time, US MBA programs and which schools? Will my diverse background in fashion and entrepreneurship increase my chances? If my chances are good, I will work on my GMAT score to pull it above 700.

Schools:

Target School: Columbia

Considering: Wharton, Kellogg SOM, Duke Fuqua, Tuck

See More Profiles For: Columbia

Application Status: Open

Details:

Undergrad School: National Institute of Fashion Technology

Undergrad Major: Fashion Design

GPA: 69.42%

GMAT: 650

Age: 37, Ethnicity: Asian or Indian

Extracurriculars: Guest lecturer & student mentor at India's top fashion college, Indian craft & tribal cluster study & research

Work History:

Title: Entrepreneur & Business Owner

Industry: Apparel & Fashion

Company: Start-Up

Length of Employment: 9 yrs, 6 mos

Title: Senior Designer (changed 3 positions during tenure)

Industry: Apparel & Fashion

Company: Top Firm

Length of Employment: 5 yrs, 7 mos

Big Life Wins:

In my experience, I have honed strong product design plus management and team management skills. I’ve grown my direct-to-consumer brand and business in local/regional markets, built strong operations for an SME-level enterprise, and generated employment for semi-skilled labor and artisans which have been fulfilling achievements for me.

Post MBA Goal:

In short term, I’ll expand my professional experience by working in large-scale global organisations that sell mass appeal consumer products in roles where I manage high-demand products/categories and work with a variety of stakeholders. Ideally in a product or a category management role. In the long term, I will return to entrepreneurship.