Just getting started....

Back in 2011 UFM test trial a new format of MBA, Acton MBA. A unique concept that started years before in Austin by Jeff Sandefer, a visionary entrepreneur, with the idea of entrepreneurs teaching entrepreneurs. The first class "Entrepreneurial Journey - EJ" set the pace of what the program would be.

ACTON became an alternative MBA program, competing directly with the traditional MBA from the School of Business. Something that is unique of UFM, I've worked with School of Business for more than 20 years hence experiencing ACTON was a way to understand better this new contender and learn from them.

After EJ came a couple of courses more, and more, and eventually I realized that I was half way. My curiosity was served, but there was something in ACTON that made me go back. A little of pride of finishing what I have started, a bit of my entrepreneurial ghost who was looking for a crack in the wall to escape, and some of my academic curiosity to understand the whole enchilada.

It took me four years to finish a program that usually takes one. In the beginning I signed only in classes available on early Friday to have less time conflicts with work. When I ran out of those choices, I had no alternative but to attend regardless of the day and juggle better work, family and school. A program that usually attracts young energetic professionals (late 20's) had me hooked. I still remember the day I had to make an assignment about how I saw myself when 40!!! I LOL asking, do you want me to share how it was? 

I'm finally done, just waiting for paperwork. Big take-aways. Instead of digging deep on the managerial concepts we dug deep on the entrepreneur mind. ACTON is like a team experience of an entrepreneurial lab. George R.R. Martin wrote; “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one”. I could say the same about entrepreneur's lives in ACTON.

Scholars like Israel Kirzner and Peter Klein have greatly contributed to the understanding of entrepreneurship, but none has nailed the definition. What Justice Potter Stewart said about porn ("I can't define porn, but I know it when I see it") applies to entrepreneurship. ACTON doesn't prescribe a model because there is no model, but after going over hundreds of cases, and discussing the essence of each, running business simulators, preparing elevator pitches and selling on the street, I know better what it means. After ACTON either you run away scared of what being an entrepreneur is, or get itchy feet to jump start.

Right now I feel a great responsibility on my shoulders. It is not another academic degree, nor business fad. The entrepreneur spirit saw what is in the other side and now is slamming the glass to escape and set free. I'm baffled with so many experiences and ideas. It is time to clear my mind and see the path before letting my daimon run free.