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is a unique student-run venture at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder. Supported by the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship, ES operates as an independent LLC, providing students with hands-on experience in running a business while offering professional consulting services to clients in the local community and beyond. Unlike traditional internships, ES offers students the rare opportunity to run their own business, make real-world decisions, and build valuable entrepreneurial skills.

The Team Behind Entrepreneurial Solutions

The leadership team behind ES includes , , and , three MBA students with diverse backgrounds who bring unique skill sets to the organization. Each member contributes to different aspects of ES, from marketing strategies to financial analysis and operations management.

holds an undergraduate degree in chemistry and economics from Colorado State University and has prior experience as a project manager in the solar power industry. She returned to Colorado to pursue her MBA at Leeds, with a focus on marketing strategy. Maggie leads the marketing and strategic go-to-market efforts for ES. Her role involves creating marketing plans, developing labels, and helping clients position their products in the marketplace. For example, Maggie worked on a project for a client developing a new salad dressing, helping them devise a plan to get their product into retail spaces like Whole Foods.

has a background in psychology from ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder and decided to return to pursue an MBA after realizing she needed a business foundation to complement her psychology expertise. Miao focuses on the financial and operational aspects of ES, providing clients with the necessary analysis to ensure their ventures are financially viable. She describes her role as a learning process, where she continues to discover new ways to manage the complexities of business and leadership.

completed his undergraduate and master's degrees in philosophy at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder before deciding to pursue an MBA. Drawn to entrepreneurship, Henry recognized the importance of understanding business fundamentals, such as reading a balance sheet, to complement his creative ideas. At ES, Henry plays a generalist role, helping with various aspects of the business, including financial analysis and decision-making. He emphasizes the importance of supporting his team and fostering collaboration, believing that leadership is about understanding the strengths of those around you and facilitating collective success.

What is Entrepreneurial Solutions?

ES provides consulting services to a wide range of clients, from entrepreneurs launching new ventures to those needing marketing strategy. Clients come from various industries and backgrounds, and the team at ES helps them navigate challenges related to marketing, finance, operations, and more.

One of the defining features of ES is that it is entirely student-led. The Deming Center offers workshops and guidance, but students have full control over the business, from setting strategy to managing operations. This independence allows students to gain firsthand experience in entrepreneurship, from creating contracts to developing project scopes. The team is also responsible for handling taxes and other administrative tasks associated with running an LLC.

The students involved in ES are driven by the desire to take charge of their learning and apply their classroom knowledge to real-world situations. They value the autonomy that ES offers and see it as a way to test their entrepreneurial skills in a supportive environment. Maggie, Miao, and Henry all agree that while traditional internships provide valuable experience, ES offers something different: the chance to take ownership of a business and learn by doing.

For Maggie, the opportunity to apply her marketing expertise in real-world scenarios has been invaluable. Miao has appreciated the chance to step outside her comfort zone and develop new skills in finance and operations. Henry enjoys the collaborative aspect of ES, where the team works together to solve problems and build something meaningful.

Leadership in Action

Each member of the ES leadership team has a unique perspective on leadership. For Maggie, leadership is about balancing adaptability, empathy, and maintaining one’s values while working with clients and team members. Miao emphasizes the importance of managing emotions and communication in order to be an effective leader. Henry views leadership as facilitating the strengths of those around you and keeping the team moving in the right direction, regardless of whether you are the one "leading" in the traditional sense.

Through their work with ES, these students are not only gaining practical business experience but also honing their leadership skills in a dynamic and challenging environment.

Entrepreneurial Solutions continues to be a powerful platform for students at Leeds to engage with entrepreneurship, gain leadership experience, and make a real impact on the businesses they serve. Whether they go on to start their own ventures or pursue careers in consulting, finance, or marketing, the students involved in ES are equipped with the skills and confidence to succeed in whatever path they choose.

As Maggie, Miao, and Henry near the completion of their MBA journeys, their experiences with ES will undoubtedly shape their careers and provide a solid foundation for future success.