A Heart for Healing, a Mind for Business

My name is Austin Lund. I am the Founder and CEO of Body Techniques, workplace stress management. After 20 years of running my business, I decided to validate my practices by learning more about business through Saint Mary's College Executive MBA program. I graduated with honors in June 2017.

• Why did you choose Saint Mary's College?

  Fate. They were the only school willing to take the chance on a nontraditional student like me – someone without a completed college degree.
   

• How did you balance school and work?

  I prioritized school over work since I realized it was an opportunity I could not afford to squander.  I wanted to make the most of my educational experience and the only way I was able to do that was to immerse myself completely. Fortunately, I have a terrific team at my business, Body Techniques. They championed my educational pursuits which allowed me the time to devote to school.  The program design was also a factor in my success.  By combining online with weekend visits to campus, I was able to continue to lead my business.  I did have to sacrifice watching Survivor for a couple of seasons. 
   

• What’s the most valuable thing you learned in Grad School?

  Grad school gave me confidence and validated the principles I had been using to run my business successfully for twenty years. Adding the school smarts to my street smarts completed the big picture for my personal and professional growth.  Focusing on leadership also came just at the right time as my company’s growth was just about to require a much more disciplined approach.
   

• What did you learn about yourself?

  I learned that I had a lot of personal growth and polishing to do and school allowed me to realize it.  My younger self never had to be so disciplined as my older self did in school.  Honestly, I surprised myself in my desire and capacity to learn.
   

• How has attending Grad School benefited your personal and professional growth?

  I have been able to directly apply many of the concepts I learned from my teachers and classes directly to my business.  My company was often used as the subject for our team projects that had a direct effect on the path of my business.  For example, I was able to leave Saint Mary's with a comprehensive marketing plan and strategy created by my diverse and talented classmates.  This plan was later executed with strong results.  There are countless examples of the benefits to my business.  Personally, I met some really great friends, and professors I like to call friends, along the way.  My social circle is now richer and more diverse than ever and, for me, that leads to a much more fulfilling existence.  In addition, I do believe that I am a stronger more confident leader.
   

• Discuss your classroom and online experience (benefits of the hybrid program)?

  The hybrid program was a perfect balance for me. I would not have had the attention span to be in the classroom full time nor learn all I needed in a fully online program.  The program allowed me to balance my work obligations but keep a focus on school.  The in-class experience of interacting with my teachers and classmates was crucial to my overall experience, but being able to hyper-focus that on the weekends was part of the magic.  They were long hard days, but the relationships I made with the teachers and my classmates during those Saturday sessions were the best part of the program.
   

• What advice would you give someone considering grad school/currently enrolled in grad school?

  Jump in with both feet -  do not hold back.  Get to know your instructors and spend time with them, they are your best resource during and after the classroom.  The best learning is doing, so don’t just think in school - do school.  If you have a business idea, start it during school and use the tools there to get it off the ground.  If you already have a business, bring it to school and experiment.  Customize the school experience to fit you, SMC really allows space for this - take full advantage. The experience is a privilege worth making the most out of.
   

• Did you take advantage of careers services, executive speaker series, executive coaching or other services SEBA offers? If so, please share your experience?

  I did find the business ideas competition very interesting.  I attended 3 years in a row,  hosted by the Keiretsu Forum leader Randy Williams. I learned a lot about investing in start-ups that led me to invest in my first start-up soon after.  What a fun and exciting experience that I plan to continue into the future.