Yes, I have an MBA. I was told it would boost my earning potential and differentiate me in the job market. But the truth? No one has ever asked me about my MBA, dual degrees, international experience, or multilingual skills in any serious way. What did matter? The people I met along the way—those who championed me, referred me, and opened doors simply because they believed in me. 

And to be clear—having an MBA was never a barrier. I’ve never once been denied a promotion or opportunity because I didn’t have one. It was never a checkbox I had to complete to advance in my career. But it also didn’t unlock the keys to running a business. MBAs teach theory—important frameworks and strategy models—but they rarely teach how to apply those theories in the unpredictable, messy reality of daily operations. 

They don’t prepare you for the psychological toll of ownership: the loneliness of decision-making, the family tension that sometimes comes with family businesses, or the overwhelming administrative load of dealing with banks, lawyers, CPAs, or trying to teach yourself QuickBooks at midnight because payroll can’t wait. That’s the part no classroom prepares you for. 

In 2013, I inherited a dormant family business—FES, which sells rock crushing wear parts (yes, really). I became the first woman to own the company. I spent every vacation day in the field with customers, called on leads to let them know I was still in business, and immersed myself in the industry—learning about metallurgy, foundries, aggregate types, and customer pain points. 

The learning curve was steep, but it was real. It was gritty, personal, and impactful. And 12 years later, I’m still at it—still learning, still growing, and still incredibly proud of what this business has become. Would I trade my MBA? No. But would I say it taught me how to run a business? Not even close. 

Here’s to the power of applied experience—and to all the business owners learning as they go. And the power of pink hardhats and steel toed boots, both in my closet