Yet another example of an MBA application Essay I’ve been writing.

Explain how your past accomplishments have prepared you for the MBA Program.

As an undergraduate, two friends and I explored means of funding our education. The resulting business venture was a franchised Dish Network retailer. From conception to implementation we were able to grow our small start-up to nearly 30 employees in less than four months. Although oftentimes requiring 18-hour workdays, our business was profitable within 30 days and gleaned first year annual revenues in excess of $650,000–a feat which helped us earn 2nd place at BYU’s coveted Entrepreneur of the Year competition.

During this time I also vigorously pursued a career in dentistry. Although I later learned I lacked passion for dentistry, the pursuit was a worthwhile endeavor which taught me a great deal about passion and work. As part of my pursuit toward dentistry, I enrolled in all the necessary undergraduate classes required for dental school matriculation. Compounded with these science courses, I also chose to remain a business management major. As part of my time spent as a hopeful dentist I participated in shadowing opportunities, including a self-funded, two week excursion to Honduras where I assisted a number of dentists, providing free dental work for the underprivileged of that country. Almost a month after returning from Honduras I excelled on the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), scoring in the 90th percentile.

Immediately following graduation, I even worked as a prosthodontist assistant. However, after several months of assisting, my eyes were opened. I realized dentists spent much more time working in their business than on their business. I also came to the realization that I had had more passion for my entrepreneurial pursuits than I did for dentistry. Consequently, after being accepted to several dental programs, I reluctantly declined the offers due to my lack of passion for the field. I am not one to recant progressive decisions, but I knew I would not be happy or passionate as a dentist. I had more passion for previous “means-to-an-end” businesses I had started than I did for dentistry. Knowing I would never be a leader in my field unless I possessed passion for my work, I knew I had to make the difficult decision of recanting the offers of acceptance. This was an extremely difficult juncture in my life and a defining moment.

Since my difficult decision, I have spent two years with Hughes-owned Helius, Inc.–a digital media development firm based in Lindon, UT. This firm provides software management solutions in digital media, digital signage, and corporate communications. At Helius, I have acted as the National Accounts Manager, working with both the sales and marketing team. I demonstrate and sell complex content management software solutions and help to manage market strategy for seizing customer opportunities.

As another current entrepreneurial side project, I also manage the largest digital signage industry portal at digitalsignage.com. This asset helps glean regular and viable leads for the digital signage industry worldwide. As part of the effort, I manage an industry-related news feed, write regularly on the site’s blog, and manage the litany of leads the site produces from its large user-base. Such leads are sold on a contractural basis to numerous companies around the globe, producing a nice residual revenue stream for myself and my parnters. Since the site’s official launch in early 2009, it has been the recipient of over 8,000 monthly visitors. In addition, with the help of two partners we have successfully gained banner advertising contracts with Intel, Visix, Deploid, and Hughes.

While my experiences may have ranged across very different fields, I believe my diversity of experiences, and particularly my pursuits of the “paths less traveled,” display my unique ability to succeed at virtually any task. In addition, my leadership acumen gained through entrepreneurial management, coupled with my love for learning, give me a very unique foundation from with which to build.