From Factory Floors to the Future: How Ross Helped Me Build a Global Business
When I first stepped into the Ross School of Business, I came with a clear goal: to scale my family’s manufacturing business. What I didn’t expect was how deeply the journey would reshape the way I think about business, leadership, and global collaboration.
Building a Startup While Earning a Master’s Degree
As a Zell Entrepreneur, I had the rare opportunity to build Evoltik International while pursuing my Master of Supply Chain Management. Every Friday, I joined a passionate group of founders across the University of Michigan. Our sessions went beyond pitch practice — they were about navigating uncertainty, testing ideas, and growing through vulnerability. The Zell Lurie Institute pushed me to sharpen my focus, think more strategically, and be comfortable with the unknown.
To better understand my customers, I traveled extensively across the United States, walking shop floors, talking to engineers, and spending time in foundries and distribution hubs. These were eye-opening conversations that shaped our product roadmap. The Michigan Ross brand often helped break the ice, especially with one customer who turned out to be a Ross alum from the Class of 1987 and became a client because of a simple email from my "@umich.edu" address.
And when it came to winning over an Ohio-based customer? A well-timed joke about the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry certainly worked in my favor (Go Blue!).
Expanding Networks, Nationally and Globally
Through Zell, I also had the opportunity to attend classes at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and collaborate with entrepreneurial teams from Reichman University in Israel. These experiences helped me build relationships across geographies and broaden my perspective on how innovation is approached in different ecosystems. It felt powerful to be part of a network that extended far beyond Ann Arbor, offering fresh ideas, honest feedback, and cross-cultural insights that I brought back into my business.
Peer Leadership and Purpose at Ross
Outside of entrepreneurship, I found a deep purpose in giving back. As a peer coach at the Career Development Office, I worked closely with fellow students navigating internships, interviews, and the often overwhelming job search process. Being part of someone else’s journey and growth reminded me how powerful shared experiences can be.
In addition, serving as treasurer on the MSCM executive board allowed me to work with program leadership and peers to shape student life and build community. Whether it was organizing events, managing budgets, or advocating for our cohort’s needs, I learned how small actions behind the scenes can have a big impact.
Ann Arbor: A Global Community in a Small Town
Living in Ann Arbor was one of the most enriching parts of the experience. As a student town, it buzzed with curiosity, energy, and warmth. I met people from every corner of the globe, worked on group projects with teammates who brought completely different perspectives, and had late-night discussions that stretched far beyond case studies.
Understanding how people from different backgrounds approach decision-making, leadership, and problem-solving helped me grow not just as a professional but as a human being. This cross-cultural collaboration, baked into the Ross experience, is something I’ll carry with me forever.
The Takeaway: Growth Lives Outside Your Comfort Zone
Ross taught me that growth happens when you lean into uncertainty. From walking into client facilities alone to working across cultures and time zones to presenting strategy to seasoned executives, I’ve learned to trust my instincts, collaborate deeply, and stay grounded in purpose.
As I look ahead, I carry with me a business that is stronger, a network that is global, and a heart that is more open than ever. My Ross journey wasn’t just about mastering supply chains; it was about becoming a more curious, courageous, and connected version of myself.
