An entrepreneurial spirit and "a lifestyle of philanthropy" are important to the Olin community. Choose ONE of these two core values and tell us what it means to you.
Preface: This is a letter written to a fictional "Exclusive Society of Entrepreneurs" requesting an authorization for membership.
December 21, 2006
Ms. Susanna Grimes, Senior Administration Officer
Exclusive Society of Entrepreneurs
222 Ashram Street.
Boston, MA 02116-0764
Dear Ms. Grimes:
With reference to the advertisement published in the last edition of The Economist, I would like to be considered for membership at your "Exclusive Society of Entrepreneurs." I am an eighteen year old, college-bound Nepali with a passion for entrepreneurship. Through your organisation, I plan to associate with socially aware and motivated entrepreneurs who will have proper influence on an aspiring entrepreneur like me.
My appreciation for entrepreneurs began eight years back as a spillover from my father's MBA experience. Hardly ten years of age then, I was already in my second year of radio jockeying for a local FM station. Consequently, with substantial work experience to relate to, "Entrepreneurship" and Bill Gates were often the topics of discussion at dinner table. The "never say die" attitude of successful entrepreneurs fascinated me. Stories of business-tycoons, their tales of struggle against failures, of passion, of perseverance and of an ultimate triumph remained in my psyche ever since.
Growing up, I usually related entrepreneurship with big names like McDonalds and Microsoft. Allured by financial rewards, I dreamt of establishing such multi-national companies myself; I wanted to work hard, challenge myself and be successful. However, deep inside, I was not comfortable with my "mercantile" definition of an entrepreneurial spirit. This sense of uneasiness was partly because of my upbringing that emphasised contributing back to the society. I felt that my understanding of entrepreneurship lacked necessary human dimension.
As you know, the early hours of 2005 brought unimaginable devastation to South and South-east Asia . The Tsunami of December 26, 2004 was a major catastrophe that killed well above two hundred thousand people and rendered twice that number homeless. As the world reacted, it was not just the affluent individuals but even the common people contributed whatever they could to the relief program. A new bread of socially responsible individuals with energy and passion, fuelled by a sense of social responsibility, were ones who made a big difference in the relief activity. As newspapers in Kathmandu and elsewhere featured stories of those brave people, I came across an interesting term "Social Entrepreneurship;" and, I was immediately hooked to it. It combined my passion of social-service with the discipline, innovation, and determination associated with business. Therefore, as I grew up, my entrepreneurial spirit took a new dimension-- Social Entrepreneurship: something that incorporated the necessary entrepreneurial virtues yet, remained outside the realms of business entrepreneurship.
As you may notice by now, an entrepreneurial mindset has always remained an integral part of my life. With time, it has evolved into different forms, constantly influenced by people around me and the stories they tell. Today, even eight years later, my entrepreneurial dream is still evolving; however, day on day past, it is taking on beautiful colours.
In this regard, I request you to review my application with favour as I share considerable enthusiasm and respect for entrepreneurship. Should you have any query or would like to arrange an interview, feel free to contact me through email or telephone.
A copy of my resume has been attached for you reference.
Sincerely,
Bibhas Acharya
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