During a board meeting at Playspace, someone suggested I pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA). I was not entirely sure what specific knowledge I would gain. Some of it I had already picked up through hands-on experience. However, I believed that living this experience would help me adapt to the company’s growth, overcome my weaknesses, and broaden my business vision. The support of my partners ultimately convinced me to take the leap.
From that moment on, doubts of all kinds began to surface. Friends, family, and acquaintances shared their opinions freely. Could I study and manage the company at the same time without losing focus? What could a master’s degree offer me at this stage? Comments like “you’re a glutton for punishment, starting a business and studying at the same time” pushed me to write this article.
What I Expected to Learn from the MBA
Before starting the program, I identified several areas where I wanted to grow. First, I needed to strengthen my financial management skills. As a technical founder, budgets and balance sheets were not my strong suit. Second, I wanted to sharpen my strategic thinking and learn frameworks for evaluating business opportunities. Third, I hoped to build a network of ambitious professionals who shared similar goals.
In addition, I wanted to develop my leadership abilities. Running a startup means wearing many hats. However, scaling a company requires delegation and trust. The MBA promised to give me tools for managing larger teams effectively. Furthermore, I was curious about areas like operations management, supply chain logistics, and corporate finance that I had never formally studied.
The MBA Journey: Trimester by Trimester
The first trimester was intense and exciting. The initial enthusiasm far exceeded the effort and time spent studying. It was a period of getting to know our classmates and adapting to new working methods. This excitement made our study group and dedication truly special. We read and studied every footnote of the case studies, seeking perfection in every assignment.
By the second trimester, we realized that perfection was not sustainable. We had to prioritize, discard, and delegate — just as we do in other areas of life. This was one of the most valuable subjective lessons of the MBA. It had nothing to do with the curriculum itself. Instead, it was about learning how to learn. As a result, we got to know each other better, and group coordination became much smoother. A trip to Segovia helped strengthen these bonds considerably.
The third trimester demanded double the effort. On one hand, we continued developing coursework. On the other hand, we had to manage the creation and execution of our final business plan. This period taught me how to handle multiple high-priority projects simultaneously. It was exhausting but deeply rewarding.
Key Takeaways from My MBA Experience
Lifelong Friends and Professional Allies
I made friends for life during the program. These are people with ambitions and professional objectives similar to mine. They will do everything in their power to help and support you. Several situations of personal and professional assistance among classmates already occurred during those nine months. Moreover, these feelings of unity and camaraderie were reinforced by generous individuals like our class representative, who always knew how to bring the group together.
I hope that several entrepreneurs will emerge from our cohort. As classmates, we can then approach them to offer our help. In fact, a small group of us invested in an initiative by entrepreneurs from Mallorca to create the first Spanish video game console, SmachZ.
A Reinforced Vision for the Future
Constantly confronting and analyzing business ideas with classmates and professors broadened my perspective significantly. The MBA forced me to think beyond my comfort zone. I evaluated industries and business models I had never considered before. As a result, I developed a clearer roadmap for both my personal and professional future. This clarity alone made the entire investment worthwhile.
Filling Knowledge Gaps
Every entrepreneur has blind spots. Mine were in finance, accounting, and legal frameworks. The MBA addressed these gaps head-on. I learned to read financial statements with confidence. I understood the legal implications of corporate decisions. Furthermore, subjects like marketing strategy and operations management gave me a more holistic view of how businesses function beyond the technology layer.
Networking and Self-Knowledge
The network you build during an MBA is invaluable. Classmates came from diverse industries including banking, consulting, healthcare, and technology. Each person brought unique insights and connections. Consequently, my professional network expanded far beyond the gaming industry.
Equally important was the self-knowledge I gained. Working under pressure with diverse teams revealed my strengths and weaknesses. I discovered that I thrive in collaborative environments but need to improve my patience with bureaucratic processes. This kind of honest self-assessment is hard to achieve outside a structured program.
Would I Recommend an MBA to Other Entrepreneurs?
Without hesitation, yes. The MBA experience gave me more than academic knowledge. It gave me a framework for thinking, a network of allies, and a deeper understanding of myself. For entrepreneurs who feel they have hit a ceiling in their management skills, an MBA can be transformative. It is not easy to balance studies with a running business. However, the rewards far outweigh the sacrifices.
In summary, studying an MBA as an entrepreneur was one of the best decisions I have made. It challenged me intellectually, expanded my network, and gave me practical tools that I continue to use daily. If you are considering it, my advice is simple: go for it. The experience will change the way you lead your company and your life.