Ana Karen (‘19) graduated Baruch with minors in Finance and French. She has an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University.
Ana currently works as a Private Banker at JPMorgan Chase. She is also an entrepreneur, and has started her own company.
Ana on International Business
I have always wanted to build my own business and was always looking for international opportunities. Prior to starting college in the U.S., I was living in Mexico and studying something similar. I chose IB at Baruch because Baruch was the only college that had a major specifically in IB. Other schools offered only concentrations.
Ana on Studying Abroad
I chose Paris because I wanted to explore Europe but also wanted to learn more about Paris. I applied for a scholarship and, fortunately, got it. Over there, I studied international economics, which really showed me how the U.S. and other countries coordinate together and the impacts on the economy. I also learned a new language, French, and more about Europe.
Ana on Starting her Company
I always wanted to create my own company while growing my career. At first, I was thinking about sending flowers abroad—import-export for flowers—then I considered starting a hotel. However, my family has always wanted to do something with mole. Through research, I found that consumers now prefer products without preservatives, something more authentic. That’s when the idea came to me—to share this mole powder without preservatives or anything artificial. The Mexican consulate had a contest, and I thought I could start with this niche market of Mexican products. We have to start small, and I participated in the contest, where I got second place.
Ana at JP Morgan Chase
I joined JP Morgan Chase because they value people’s talents and offer opportunities for growth. While I was there, they opened up the opportunity for me to complete a master’s degree. I took advantage of that and was working on my licenses while pursuing my master’s, which they sponsored. I’ve remained with the company for two years now.
Ana on the Challenges of Running Her Company
The challenge was the many things I needed to take into consideration. I had the idea, but I knew I had to bring it to reality. I needed to identify the main pieces. I had the protocol ready for the powder, but I realized I needed a logo, a brand, the legal part of the business, a business plan, packaging, and compliance with state regulations.
Ana’s Advice to Students
The IB major is great for entrepreneurs because it provides key pieces of information that help solidify the foundation of your business. It allows you to understand more than just what you already know—there’s marketing, relationships, and more. In IB, you can see the bigger picture. I would recommend IB for entrepreneurs because it opens your mind and helps you see more possibilities.
IB knowledge was also relevant when I was running my business. There were about 2-3 courses that really provided me with the insights and information I needed. Now, every time I need to refer to something, it comes to mind. The knowledge I gained is very relevant and applicable.