Get to B-School

Today’s guest is Andrew Park, a Yale Executive MBA candidate whose career spans chicken, fashion, and a whole lot of frequent flyer miles.
When he’s not in class, Andrew is running one of the most successful Chick-fil-A locations in Southern California and building his own luxury men’s fashion brand, Urbane and Gallant (link below). Every other week, he flies cross-country from Los Angeles to New Haven for class, sometimes adding a stop in Paris to lay the groundwork for Fashion Week.
 
In this episode, Andrew shares:
🔹 How he juggles the demands of running a restaurant, building a fashion brand, and pursuing an MBA
🔹 Why he takes a people-first approach to every venture he’s involved in
🔹 The unique perspective he brings to Yale SOM’s Executive MBA program
Andrew’s story is a reminder that business is never just about profit- it’s about people, vision, and balance.
Urbane & Gallant website: https://urbanegallant.com/
Urbane & Gallant on Instagram: UrbaneGallant
Great article featuring UG: https://gurusmagazine.com/fashion-meets-fame-mary-bonnet-co-hosts-urbane-gallants-star-studded-collection-launch-in-los-angeles/

Today’s guest is Eric Lucrezia, a certified MBA admissions consultant based in Paris who has been coaching candidates for over 20 years. Eric has worked with applicants targeting everything from M7 programs in the U.S. to top schools across Europe, giving him a truly global perspective on the admissions landscape.
In this episode, Eric shares:🔹 How to use AI tools effectively in applications — and why it’s more than just an ethical question🔹 Why the debate around “is the MBA worth it” keeps coming back in cycles🔹 His perspective on the true long-term value of the MBA🔹 Lessons from two decades of guiding candidates into the world’s best programs
If you’re thinking about business school, this episode is packed with insights from one of the most experienced voices in admissions coaching today.
Find MBA Waves here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBzOhXtDD6mJUtCabEMgO9A
Book Eric here: https://www.candidate.coach/

Today’s guest is James Holm, my good friend and former startup teammate back in our college days. James never thought he’d pursue an MBA, until a series of experiences and conversations shifted his perspective.
What started as a “wouldn’t it be crazy if…” chat with his wife quickly turned into two MBA applications in just a week and a half. The result? Admission to both programs he applied to.
Now thriving at UCLA Anderson, James shares:🔹 Why he changed his mind about business school🔹 How he pulled off a whirlwind application sprint and came out successful🔹 What he’s learned from being surrounded by so many diverse personalities at Anderson🔹 How he balances the demanding rigor of family, work, and school
James’s story is equal parts surprising, inspiring, and practical- a reminder that sometimes the best opportunities come when you least expect them.

Today’s guest is Ben Lazaroff, one of Leland’s top MBA coaches and a Stanford GSB graduate. Ben’s career has been anything but linear, from working at McKinsey helping prisons improve rehabilitation outcomes, to diving into politics, to supporting chess startups, his experiences are as diverse as they are fascinating.
After struggling through the MBA application process himself, Ben became driven to help candidates craft powerful, authentic applications that truly reflect who they are.
In this episode, Ben shares:🔹 How his varied career shaped his perspective on business school and beyond🔹 Why storytelling is the key to a standout MBA application🔹 How he helps candidates align their applications with their unique strengths and passions
If you’re navigating the MBA application process, Ben’s insights will help you focus on what truly matters and make your story shine.
Find Ben at Leland: https://www.joinleland.com/coach/ben-lazaroff

Today’s guest is Petar Nestorovic, a recent Tuck graduate whose MBA journey is as inspiring as it is personal. Originally from Peru, Petar shares how his time at Tuck deepened his connection to his home country, even while studying thousands of miles away.
In this episode, Petar talks about:🔹 How conversations with Tuck alumni convinced him the school was the perfect fit🔹 Why authenticity and commitment were central to his application strategy🔹 What made Tuck’s tight-knit community such a transformative experience (did someone say free Uber rides??)🔹 How his MBA helped him strengthen both his personal and professional identity
If you’re considering Tuck — or just want to hear a thoughtful take on staying true to yourself during the MBA journey — this episode is packed with insight.

Today’s guest is Oren Margolis, a Stern graduate and seasoned admissions consultant. Having read thousands of essays during his time with the Stern's admissions team, Oren knows exactly what schools are really looking for — and what applicants often stress about unnecessarily.
In this episode, Oren shares:🔹 How he helps candidates demystify the MBA application process🔹 Why he’s refreshingly un-cynical about the current state of MBA admissions🔹 The importance of getting out of your own way when telling your story🔹 His perspective from reading thousands of applications and coaching candidates for years
If you’ve ever wondered what admissions committees actually care about, and how to focus your energy where it matters most, this one is packed with insight.
Book a chat with Oren here: https://calendly.com/pinetree-palm
Oren's website: https://www.pinetreepalm.com/

Today’s episode of Get to B-School is a first. We’re bringing on an admissions coach! Our guest, Yash Gupta (book him on Leland here!), has sat on both sides of the process. He was accepted to both Harvard and Stanford through the 2+2 program, ultimately choosing Stanford GSB, where he had an incredible experience.
Now, alongside his career in sports, media, and entertainment VC, Yash helps aspiring candidates put their best foot forward. His coaching style is all about tailoring the process to each individual, with a special focus on helping applicants stay genuine and true to themselves in their essays and interviews.
In this episode, we talk about:🔹 Yash’s journey from 2+2 admits to his time at Stanford GSB🔹 Why authenticity is the most important part of a successful application🔹 The strategies he uses to help candidates stand out in a crowded pool
If you’re thinking about business school, this episode is packed with insights from someone who knows the admissions process inside and out.

Today’s guest, Doug Michalak, is proving that you really can thrive in multiple arenas at once. While pursuing the evening/weekend MBA program at Kellogg, Doug is also building a successful career in sports media at NBC, and loving the challenge of juggling it all.
In our conversation, Doug shares how he finds energy in balancing multiple responsibilities, why he makes it a point to meet with professors one-on-one, and how those personal connections have shaped his MBA experience. We also talk about his belief that spending time with the people who matter most isn’t a distraction from great work; it’s fuel for it.
Doug’s story is an inspiring look at what it means to live a full, connected, and high-performing life.

Welcome to Get to B-School!
Today’s guest, Tanner Johnston, just graduated from MIT Sloan, the school he set his sights on all the way back in second grade. His teacher, Mrs. Finch, took his dream of becoming an "inventor" seriously and introduced him to top engineers, and they told him that if he wanted to be great, he should aim for MIT. That early guidance stuck, and years later, Tanner made it happen.
But Tanner’s story is about much more than admissions success.
In this episode, he shares:🔹 Why he prioritized life enrichment, choosing time with friends over extra hours of studying🔹 How he made the most of his MBA experience by investing in Level Four friendships (yes, he’ll explain what that means)🔹 His belief in pursuing goals from intrinsic motivation, doing what you're uniquely great at and love doing, rather than copying someone else’s definition of success
Tanner’s approach is thoughtful, human, and a powerful reminder that business school is as much about relationships and self-discovery as it is about the resume.
Let’s dive in! 🎓💡👥

Today’s guest, Karan Buch, took a different path to graduate business education—one that many people overlook. Instead of pursuing a traditional MBA, Karan enrolled in the Masters in Management program at London Business School.
Fresh off an engineering degree and eager to pivot, Karan didn’t want to wait the typical two or more years required for an MBA. In this episode, he shares why the MiM, often called a “mini-MBA,” was the right move for him.
We talk about:🔹 Why he chose the MiM route over a traditional MBA🔹 The pros and cons of both programs🔹 His take on the difference between technical degrees and business training🔹 How he made the most of a short but powerful year at LBS
Karan’s perspective is thoughtful, practical, and full of energy—just like the MiM program itself.
Let’s jump in! 🎓🌍📈