Case Study: Sharon Eaton, MBA
Sharon Eaton had considered doing an MBA for several years on a part time basis but kept putting it off due to work commitments.
However, after being made redundant, and searching unsuccessfully for 10 months for a job she really wanted, she decided to embark on a full time MBA programme after seeking advice from several CEO's of companies she was interested in working for.
She visited several universities to find out more and Strathclyde seemed to her to be the most professional with great facilities and references. "Although it was more expensive, I got the impression that the institution the MBA was acquired from was, if not now, going to be more important in the future."
Before the MBA, Sharon managed the Eastern European distributors for Invitrogen who supply reagents to research scientists. She had always worked in the life sciences industry before getting involved in export sales.
On the MBA programme, she found group work one of the most enjoyable components. "I realised the quality of work that comes out at the end is much higher than if we had all done it separately. It was really inspiring and motivating to bounce ideas around, really listen to the issue being discussed from the perspective of people with different cultures and backgrounds."
Since finishing the MBA, Sharon has set up her own business, BioChannel Partners, which she describes as 'a sort of dating agency for laboratory product manufacturers who need to find good overseas distributors.' She plans to expand this business into distributor relationship management training and consultancy.
"The confidence the MBA has given me is amazing. Before the MBA I didn't dare dream about setting up my own business. Around Easter 2002, a classmate suggested I think about setting up my own business and the seed was sown. I took an entrepreneurship elective and decided to do my dissertation on a feasibility study in preparation for my business idea."
"I definitely made the right decision doing the MBA and setting up my own business. If I'd been told in summer 2001 that I'd have an MBA and be running my own business, I'd never have believed it. Now I feel anything is possible."
Sharon has become involved with the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship at Strathclyde University since graduating and says the people there have helped her bring her dream to reality.
"I only contacted them after I finished my MBA and I feel they have taught me a whole other MBA's worth of knowledge since. The energy, passion and enthusiasm about what is possible that oozes out of that department is awe-inspiring. For anyone thinking of starting their own business, I would highly recommend taking entrepreneurship electives, additional classes and getting involved in the Strathclyde Entrepreneur Network. All that positive energy just rubs off on you!"
