Empowerly

Student profile

SMU appeals to students for a variety of reasons. Briefly describe why you are interested in attending SMU and what specific factors have led you to apply. (250-word limit) 

I am an emerging leader of a twenty six generation family wine business.  My goal is to take what I have learned about our traditional and developing operations to grow our company for the next generation.  I have been a member of my family’s investing firm board since the age of fifteen.  Also, as a member of the technologically savvy Y generation, I’ve been given the opportunity to invest in technological ventures.  I am also spearheading the prototype to create a smart bottling function streamlining the bottling process worldwide.

I am particularly excited about the Leadership Development Program mentorship opportunity at SMU. Given that I am from a multi-generational family business, I am eager to learn more about start-up companies.  I believe I would benefit from following a serial entrepreneur and learning more about how they analyze investment opportunities and new ventures. I hope to meet people from different business backgrounds and discover new fields. 

Engaging in investment planning for our family company has allowed me to experience a taste of entrepreneurial life, including  start-up best  practices, charitable giving, and impact investing. While I have learned so much by observing and doing, I’m also looking to gain academic knowledge, rigorous study and the tutelage of highly regarded scholars as well as to interact with an engaging community of peers.

I am drawn to SMU for the institution’s commitment to growing new business leaders. I am interested in the city of Dallas, and would enjoy both the practical and academic aspects. 

SMU is a diverse learning environment shaped by the convergence of ideas and cultures. How will your unique experiences or background enhance the University, and how will you benefit from this community? (250-word limit)

I was born in [city], Paris and lived there for twelve years. I attended the [name] International School of Paris. My parents chose it because of the student diversity and the opportunity to learn English.

I was fortunate to come from a family that is dispersed throughout twelve countries.  My established multi-generational family business is full of innovators. I am the 21st generation of a family where everyone built his or her own company, or helped grow an existing one but with à twist and added value . 

Thrown into the business world at a very young age, I had to learn fast. With my family spanning across 12 different nations, I also had to quickly learn how to communicate with others according to their cultural standards. Therefore, I am now interested in international investments and businesses since everyone of us is  affected by everything happening on the other side of the world. For these reasons the economics program,  would be a great fit for me as I see myself as blessed, as I am in a family who has pushed me at such a young age to be the best possible. 

I believe I can benefit the SMU community by involving myself in international business clubs that are already on campus, as well as creating a club for entrepreneurial students who have started their own businesses. Lastly, I  would engage with the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), a group that I am already involved with, as a next gen member.