When you want to start something, where do you start? Haskayne’s Master of Management program.

The journey to entrepreneurship is rarely a straight line. To start something means to capitalize on an idea or gap and leverage your resources. To put yourself out there. To take a risk. It’s a process filled with unknowns. And to undertake this journey while you’re young and new in your career can be even more daunting.

Arman Ghanbari (BSc’19, MMgmt’20) experienced this firsthand when he applied to the Haskayne Management program as a new grad. He graduated from the University of Calgary with an undergraduate degree in Geology and was looking for the next step in his career. He also had a passion for finance and investing, and wanted to learn foundational business skills to help him work effectively in teams and to sharpen his communication skills.

Arman was asking himself: when you want to start something, where do you start? The answer: Haskayne’s Master of Management program.

During the first few months of the program, Arman decided to co-found a technology venture with a fellow student. Both in their twenties, together they started Ashare, a fintech specializing in financial wellness at work.

“The idea for Ashare was born out of a personal challenge of mine: managing student debt,” says Arman. “When you get a job, employers provide health benefits, but why don’t they provide financial benefits? Not everyone is good at managing money so this could be a game-change for employers to help attract and retain new grads.”

Ashare offers employers the tools to help their employees with all things financial wellness. From employers contributing to student loan pay back to free financial planning. Employees have access to financial advisors who can help them set goals, track their milestones, and help them save their earnings.

The time for financial wellness is now. According to Ashare, 60 per cent of employees say finances are their number one source of stress. And financially stressed employees are 2.3 times more likely to look for a new job. Knowing this, employers should provide financial wellness to help retain their employees.

Enter the Haskayne Master of Management program

The Haskayne Master of Management is a 10-month full-time program designed for recent graduates (less than three years post-degree work experience) with a non-business bachelor's degree. The program helps students gain a fundamental understanding of key business concepts, much like the ones used in start-up companies and new ventures including Ashare. It also offers hands-on career support through an embedded career development program. Paid and practical work experiences are also available.

What did Arman learn? How did he apply it to Ashare?

1. It gave him foundational business knowledge that laid the groundwork for Ashare. The Master of Management helped him navigate the ins and outs of starting a company with a base understanding of business regulations, finance and accounting, marketing, business technology management and human resources.
    
2. It reduced his imposter syndrome. As a young entrepreneur, Arman felt like he was an imposter and that others saw him that way as well. The Master of Management gave him the business acumen to keep pushing forward and Arman thrived as a result.
    
3. It helped him practice communicating about his newly formed business. Arman had many opportunities to practice public speaking, networking and pitching. Hearing in-class industry speakers talk about entrepreneurship helped too.

The Master of Management program at the Haskayne School of Business helps young entrepreneurs like Arman to start something… and to keep going.

Want to learn more? Explore the Haskayne Master of Management today.