How to become an entrepreneur: Dani Ortiz and the Executive MBA

4 min read

Do you want a fulfilling business venture? It’s never too late to create something of your own. For Dani Ortiz, learning how to become an entrepreneur began with his studies on the Executive MBA at IE Business School. So, to get you inspired, let’s take a look at how Cool Bottles came to exist, how IE Store championed Dani’s journey beyond his studies and what advice you can take forward.

And just so you know, I’m drinking from a Cool Bottles tumbler as I write this article.

Learning how to become an entrepreneur after corporate life

Dani originally found success in operations and supply chain management. He joined IE Business School with over ten years of experience in Hong Kong, where he worked with companies like Famosa and MTNG-Mustang. This provided him with competitive business acumen in sourcing, negotiation and logistics—all of which would be pivotal in his future life as an entrepreneur.

“Once I decided that I had to study an EMBA to update myself, I considered different alternatives and business schools,” says Dani. “I was initially searching for a part-time course to balance with my professional career. But I realized an in-person program was necessary. I wanted to immerse myself in the experience. And I chose IE Business School because its values matched my own.”

Despite his impressive career in Hong Kong, Dani had never thought of himself as an entrepreneur. “I’d imagined I’d simply evolve in my corporate career,” he admits. “But IE Business School gave me a different perspective. It provided all the tools for learning how to become an entrepreneur.”

The birth of Cool Bottles: Starting a business from scratch

Dani’s entrepreneurial venture, Cool Bottles, came from a powerful lesson on the Executive MBA: Successful businesses often thrive because of their execution, not just their ideas. “One of the things you learn from the EMBA is that most successful businesses aren’t brilliant ideas—they’re superb implementations,” Dani explains. “I think understanding international trends is always a good way to start a business idea.”

Dani saw potential in the drinkware market. So, he put a team together and brought the concept to life. “We created a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with the lowest possible budget to determine if there was potential, and then we fine-tuned the product. In fact, that’s something we keep on doing—it’s essential to our philosophy.” This adaptability sets Cool Bottles apart from its competitors. Initially a digitally native brand, Cool Bottles soon pivoted to include offline sales.

Lidia Warwick, IE Store manager, offered support for Cool Bottles to keep growing, which is essential in the early days of any business venture. “IE Store has really made a difference for us. We felt we could enhance what they were offering to students, and they supported us. That’s meant moving to a more higher-quality and long-lasting offer.” Dani also highlights that IE Store remained a constant amid the pandemic. “IE Store was a kind of lighthouse that guided us during those hard months. They were always there for us. That was a huge boost.”

Cool Bottles’ relationship with IE Store has created something truly special. “At the very beginning, we started with bottles which were customized from our stock to add the logo of a specific school or event,” Dani explains. “With time, we’ve jointly developed new designs which differentiate from the standard—essentially creating an exclusive product for IE students.”

How to become an entrepreneur with the Executive MBA

If you’re wondering how to become an entrepreneur after studying at IE Business School, Dani has valuable insights. “IE is a big organization,” he says. “Precisely because of its size, there are a lot of opportunities for collaboration. And IE is eager to hear and support its alumni. It is just a matter of finding what they need and helping them grow.”

Remember—the Executive MBA at IE Business School isn’t for recent graduates. It’s for professionals like you who’ve already achieved success but want to push beyond the limits. The program is practical, hands-on and full of real-world scenarios that challenge you to think differently. You’ll get personalized coaching, tackle business challenges and gain the skills needed for modern leadership. Whether you’re looking to rise higher in your current role or start your own business, we can help you. Remember, it’s never too late to change direction—Dani’s story is your proof.

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