Today we officially graduate as the inaugural SAMBA class 2009. We now understand presentations, marketing, selling, spreadsheets, equity, and the ability to tell a story. We've figured out how to launch a project, invent a business and connect with customers, suppliers and people who matter.
We came together as 9 strangers with unique backgrounds from all over the US. We are leaving as friends, world changers, status quo challengers, community creators, thinkers and doers. We each have compiled a 'graduation speech' reflecting on the past six months:
Al - How to Start a Business That Works
Clay Hebert - A Life Changed
Emily Kate Boyd - SAMBA: The Lessons of a Six Month MBA
Ishita Gupta - Lessons I’ve Learned (and am Still Learning) from the Last 6 Months
Jon Dale - SAMBA Yearbook
Rebecca Goldstein - SAMBA: My Roller Coaster Journey
Susan Villas Lewis - The Bald Guy in My Head
Allan Young - Check back...Coming Soon
Alex Krupp - Check back...Coming Soon
Seth, our Cafeteria Supervisor, Dean and Chief Lecturer has been more than generous in giving his time, energy and insight to us over the past six months. We are eternally grateful and hope to make him proud by making a difference in the world.
The official Six Month MBA class may be complete, but we are not saying goodbye! We will continue to blog on sixmonthmba.com. More good things to come!
L-R (Jon, Clay, Ishita, Seth, Susan, Rebecca, Al, Alex)
Congratulations! I'm just looking at getting into a MBA program. at the same time I'm looking at starting a business.
Posted by: eight | 01/18/2010 at 12:12 PM
Great co-oration. Best of the Luck for your better career.
Posted by: Study Marketing London | 11/06/2009 at 05:45 PM
Hey! Who has my SAMBA t-shirt and hat? Am I the only flunky?
Posted by: Allan | 07/29/2009 at 03:09 PM
no fair, that sounds way too cool. I want in :)
Posted by: Adam Wells | 07/27/2009 at 01:50 AM
Congratulations everyone.
All the best for the future.
Posted by: Scott Gould | 07/18/2009 at 01:05 AM
You want to become a teacher, and as such you must be aware of the fact that to be properly accredited you will need a master’s degree.However, your schedule is such that you do not have the time or the money to get a master’s degree at your local college or university.About Online Master’s Degrees in Education you can visit at http://universitiesonline.biz/.
Posted by: distance learning university | 07/18/2009 at 12:12 AM
Now that you have graduated, we are eagerly waiting to hear what you do in the next few months. At stake is your own brilliance, your reason to come to Seth and his being as a guru. All our wishes!
Posted by: TheJobSeeker | 07/16/2009 at 11:36 PM
Congratulations! I have been following your blogs since the start and love your insights and ideas.
Good luck! The world is your oyster. =)
Posted by: Jocelyn | 07/16/2009 at 01:54 PM
Happy Happy graduation everyone! We met at Seth's open house in December and it's been lovely to be able to follow allow with you on the blog. I look forward to reading more.
Here's my follow up on the last 6 months. My graduation speech if you will... http://bit.ly/YIYT1
Best to all of you as you keep on rocking it!
Posted by: brooke thomas | 07/16/2009 at 11:45 AM
Congratulations and Thank You to all who participated in Seth's MBA, including Seth.
You are changing the world for the better! Thanks!! Last week I saw a bumper sticker which read "Remember the person you always wanted to be" Thank you Seth for giving us the perspectives and tools to be that incredibly positive and contributing person.
Posted by: Bay Elliott | 07/16/2009 at 09:27 AM
Congratulations!
Seth is really one of a kind in what he does.
Posted by: Daniel | 07/16/2009 at 07:26 AM
Congratulations on such a great opportunity!
Posted by: Colleen Kulikowski | 07/16/2009 at 07:12 AM
Congratulations to all of you. I have been reading about this unique course from sometime.
I would love to do something like this for fresh comp sci grads who want to create their own startups.
--
Regards
Parag
Posted by: Parag Shah | 07/16/2009 at 03:13 AM
I have been following this blog for the last month and so good to see everyone learning valuable lessons of life. Allan's blog posts were my favorite.
Posted by: @Takuya_Hikichi | 07/16/2009 at 01:09 AM
I am amazed and awed (and jealous). I read all the student blog posts and it seems it was a truly transformational experience. Good luck in your endeavors.
Posted by: Andy | 07/15/2009 at 09:00 PM
Having gotten an MBA, and been an MBA admissions director, and now a business owner, I now believe that people can learn much more starting & running their own business.
And if you package it right, your failed (or if lucky, successful) business launch experience can look more impressive than the "MBA" letters behind your name.
Plus, many people know that MBA graduates don't really understand business management...
...unless they also learned it elsewhere :)
These days, it's easy to find incredible valuable information and mentorship that's cheaper than an MBA.
It's also easier to grow a powerful network without going through the time, money, stress, and opportunity cost of a formal MBA degree.
For example, effective use of LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter can allow anyone to connect with influencers and their ideal audience.
Helpful training slideshow here...
http://tr.im/socialslides
But more importantly... CONGRATS to these awesome students of Seth Godin. I'll be following your progress!
Posted by: George Kao | 07/15/2009 at 07:00 PM
With envy I congratulate all of you! I look forward to witnessing the differences you'll make in the world.
Posted by: ann franzen | 07/15/2009 at 06:10 PM
Congrats to all of you, you've all done such a fantastic job. Seth, please keep me posted in your MBA program, I would love to participate!
Posted by: parth | 07/15/2009 at 06:06 PM
Congrats Grads! We're all proud of you. Now go kick some butt. We're looking forward to seeing more great stuff from all of you.
Posted by: Jill Anderson | 07/15/2009 at 05:56 PM
Thanks to your all !
Good luck for your projects.
:-)
Posted by: Didier | 07/15/2009 at 04:46 PM
Wow, congrats! I remember when Seth hatched the idea of the program and now to see folks graduating from it is a huge accomplishment and a testament to education innovation!
@CourtneyWalsh
Posted by: Courtney Walsh | 07/15/2009 at 04:44 PM
Congratulations to all of you! What an amazing opportunity!
Posted by: Joan Adams | 07/15/2009 at 04:36 PM
Congratulations. Thank you for sharing what you have been learning.
Posted by: Joseph Joel Sherman | 07/15/2009 at 04:35 PM
It's been a privilege watching all of you move from 'big idea' mode to 'make things happen' mode. I'm glad I got to spend a few seconds of it with you. Congrats on what's to come.
-- Megan
Posted by: Megan Casey | 07/15/2009 at 04:31 PM
Congratulations all of you! Wow! That was a FAST six months! I've been following, reading and admiring your journey. Amazing stuff! Go do great things. I know you will!
Posted by: Becky Blanton | 07/15/2009 at 04:20 PM
Or an online SAMBA
btw, thanks for sharing these posts.
Posted by: HalalBuzz | 07/15/2009 at 04:08 PM
Congratulations, OF COURSE.
SETH, you need a ISAMBA (International SAMBA) ASAP, please, I would like to join to your SAMBA tribe.
Best regards,
Carlos from Spain
Posted by: carlos | 07/15/2009 at 03:31 PM
Congratulations! I have been tracking you guys on your path to the 6 month MBA and have found your discoveries and learnings insightful! Best of luck in your future endeavors. I hope this idea takes off.
Posted by: Tracy | 07/15/2009 at 07:10 AM