E#9 Inside Stanford GSB: Vulnerability, Connection & Life-Changing Lessons w/ Renata De Marsillac

I think the people here are very special elements of the experience. They are genuinely interested in what you have to say. We have very deep conversations. People have asked very deep questions and this was something that I was very impressed by. Once I got here. I didn't realize it was going to be that that much. And I feel that this is something very, very special about Stanford.

Hi everyone. Welcome back to MBA golden buzzer. Today I'm joined by Henata A, who is experiencing GSB firsthand and is here to give us an honest, unfiltered look at what it's really like. So you know, Stanford is known for its culture of innovation, leadership development and deep self reflection. But a lot of people wonder what it's actually like to be a student there. So what are the biggest surprises, challenges, hidden gems? So if you're interested in those kind of answers or just looking at GSB in general, this is an episode that you definitely can't miss. So Hanata, thank you so much for joining me. It's such a pleasure to talk with you today. Do you want to just maybe tell us a little bit about you?

Yeah, sure. Thank you for having me, Elaine. Thank you so much. Very happy to be here. Talk a little bit about me. I'm from Rio in Brazil. I graduated in industrial engineering. I joined consulting. I worked there for three years as a full time consultant and as soon as I got the call from Stanford, I left Bain and started to work on a business of my mind. And that's what I've been doing and I joined Stanford GSB last September.

Awesome.

Awesome.

Yeah. If you haven't, check out the episode where we talk more about entrepreneurship and what she's doing with her business. We'll talk all about that in a separate episode. So make sure that you guys check that out. Today we'll talk a little more about Stanford. So what made you choose Stanford and when you were applying, did you consider other schools?

Yes, to me, as soon as I started looking into entrepreneurship and talking to people and realizing that this is what I really wanted to do and especially that I wanted to do this in Brazil and create like an impact in Brazil and leave consulting, Stanford was obviously my first choice. I think an entrepreneurship is unmatched and it was also important for me. One thing that I heard a lot from Stanford, which is developing my leadership skills, thinking of what kind of leader I wanted to be in the future and that really attracted me to the school. I did also consider MIT because I think there are some things that are similar both in like the innovation part in the collaborative environment. And I think both do a good job in joining this more analytical, problem solving side with also innovation and entrepreneurship. So this is the main reason and.

GSB is known I think for being highly introspective. The touchy feely class being a really kind of famous example of that. How much of that reputation is true?

I think this is very true and I think this is something very special about the gsb. You have that opportunity in classes but it mostly happens I think also outside of classes. So first talking about some classes we have Touchy Philly, I haven't taken that one yet, but that was very valuable.

Did you scale back a little bit in the second quarter in terms of like the number of clubs you were involved in and those kinds of things?

Yeah, I honestly don't regret going to more social events. I think was important in the beginning to meet people. But there are a lot of info sessions like very niche things that I was like, I don't need to be in this. And I did scale back especially because my business was picking up during this quarter. So suddenly you have to say no to many things. And I think everybody, I see a lot of people going through the same journey where they're trying to figure out, figure out their priorities and like just say no, like I cannot be involved. I'm not going to run for, for president of the club. I'm not going to participate in this like battery info session or something like that. So I think that was like I improved in that.

And what is it actually like to be in the class? You mentioned that it's a little bit tougher than you expected. But for someone who's never been to a Stanford classroom or might not have the chance to visit before they apply, what's it really like to be in a class at Stanford?

So this was my first time being in a US class. So I not sure how much it's Stanford, how much is American class? It's a lot of class participation which I think is valuable. And in the beginning people were taking less risks. People, people were being more cautious and now I think like people are bringing more like their point of view about their own experience. So that's like very helpful. And it's a mix. It's not just people talking, it's not just the professor talking. So I think it's a good mix where the professor is leading the discussion and having people participate in some points of the class which I think is very valuable because I do want to hear from the professor what he has to Say as well. Everybody's so smart. Like I'm so impressed by everyone here and people have such diverse backgrounds. So it creates a very rich discussion, a very rich environment. I don't know, I don't know what.

Else that sounds, I mean that sounds, yeah, very interesting. Like I think for probably some, some people in the US that is a little bit more kind of the style that. But not every university and not every major. Right. I don't think probably a lot of super technical courses are really discussion based. So I think it depends.

And I was surprised that even in like some more technical like finance classes, accounting classes, you also have some discussion and a lot of interaction with the professor, with the instructor, which is something I was not used to. So. So it was also like a good surprise to me that in every class we have some, some participation, make it.

A little bit more dynamic.

Yes, exactly.

And what's been your favorite class so far?

My favorite class has been Impact Business Models in Emerging Markets with Matt Bennick. And this was the only elective I took so far like in the last quarter because it didn't have a lot of options of electives and it was so amazing. I think he's an amazing instructor, like really changed the way I looked at things. And every class was a different case where he would look at a business that was creating impact, not nonprofit, like a for profit business that was creating big impact in emerging markets. So we look at cases in Brazil, Africa, in Asia, like a lot of different countries and trying to understand like the journey of the founder, the business models, how to make it work. We had amazing discussions, we had amazing guests and he really, I think it was one of the most special things about this class was not. The class was also like you kind of self select people who are interested in this topic which was very good. But the professor also made a speech in the last day of class and talking more about like life lessons and things that he learned when he was impact investing in and what he wants us to take away from it and how we should think about our privilege and really like thought provoking topics. And this was like, I think this is an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. And after class we would go to a bar nearby because it was ended at 6pm and we would just sit there and talk and ask him questions. He would tell fun stories. So this was amazing.

Oh, that was awesome. Like the class just kind of kept going but in a more informal environment. That's so cool. That sounds like a good class.

Amazing class. The content was good, it was fun, people were amazing. Professor was great. This was my favorite so far for sure.

And Stanford's really famous for its entrepreneurial and leadership focus. And how is that playing out in your experience so far?

This was obviously one of the reasons that made me come here. And people talk a lot about entrepreneurship, but there are also people from very different backgrounds. But I think being here, being surrounded by this, everybody at some point thinks, oh, what if I started a business? Like, it's impossible not to think about it and everyone's doing it. So obviously you have a lot of classes towards entrepreneurship. You have Lean Launchpad, you have Startup Garage, you have Formation of New Ventures. They all explore entrepreneurship in different ways. Some are more case based. In others, you form a team, you create an idea, and then you develop this idea throughout the course. So there are many ways you can engage in that in different levels and in different stages of the idea, which is very, very interesting. But you also, like, outside of the class, you have a lot of opportunities to engage with the ecosystem. Every week we have at least like one or two VCs coming to campus to talk. Like every week we have things. And there are a lot of people that come here as scouts for VC as well. So they come like, they want to know what you're doing, they want to understand. They organize events, they bring the VC. You have like Q&As. There's one VC that does a program here where every two weeks you can go and work from there. If you're starting a business, you just work from their office space. You have dinner there.

Cool.

They are very interested in engaging with the students. This is something I wasn't expecting. Like, this is something that really surprised me, like, how connected we are here. And it's amazing. But I think to me, the most valuable thing about entrepreneurship here is that you really believe you can do anything. Like, they create this. This is very powerful throughout the classes, the cases, and you see what people have done. They're like, I was sitting where you're sitting like a few years ago, and you live here really believing, like, I can do anything, I can change the world, I can create this business. And I think this is one of the most powerful things for me.

And those kind of VC opportunities that you mentioned, which sound incredible, is that something that even first year, first semester students can get involved in, or you have to wait until you're a bit more advanced in the program?

No, for sure I got more involved because I was already working on the business. But from the Start from the first week. You're gonna have lunches with the season and you can just go ask questions, meet people, which is great. And this is from the very beginning. Like, I think like the first month they sent out a survey, like, oh, who's working on something? I want to organize this, like this group that goes to this VC every two weeks and they're gonna, they're gonna like, offer their space. I had two friends that started. We have View from the Top, right where you have like this very high profile people coming and it's amazing. And then two of my friends organized a View from the Bottom where they would just. They both started businesses and had a lot of problems with the business and they were just talking about everything that went wrong. Like every time they failed, everything they should have done differently. And, and it was amazing. And they're like, okay, let, let's find a VC to, to fund this, to sponsor this event. And they did. They went after the VC and then the VC went there. Talk about the, their investments, like in early stage companies. So there's a lot of entrepreneurship culture and the ecosystem really gets involved a lot.

That's incredible. Sounds like a really rich environment to be in. And especially for someone like you, who's already starting your own, who has already started your own thing. Like, how do you filter what you do in only 24 hours for only two years?

Yes, exactly. There's so much going on all the time. But you do have to filter.

There's no right answer to that. Right. Everyone's just kind of got to muddle through.

Yes. And you learn with time. You go to one event, you're like, why am I here? And then you go to other, and you realize, oh, this was so much, much richer to me. And then you start balancing this.

This is me. This feels like me. Yeah, definitely.

And this makes sense to like, what I. I'm trying to get here. And I think this is an important question to ask, like, what do you want to get from this? And this helps guide you your journey.

And what's something about the culture at GSB that you think applicants underestimate? Like, I think everyone thinks, oh, the innovation, that entrepreneurship culture. But what's something people don't really think about?

I think I would say the people. Like, I didn't. I think I underestimated the impact that the culture and the people around me would have. I think I came in thinking a lot about classes and obviously that I would be surrounded by people who are very good, that are. Have like, different backgrounds. But Just like the, the day to day and how supportive people are, how invested in your success people are. And this environment is so, so good. Like you're talking about what you're doing and then they're gonna maybe come across something. They will think of you, they'll text you, oh, I just saw this event. I thought you might be interested. I think this would be fun. So I was really surprised about the culture of like support collaboration and also what I talked about, about people being very vulnerable and having this very like live discussions, which I think I didn't. I think at least I underestimated this, this coming here.

Awesome. Awesome. That's a great thing to underestimate. People are even better than you thought. And if someone's applying to Stanford, what's the biggest misconception that you would encourage them to let go of?

I would say about, honestly we talked a lot about entrepreneurship, but I'm going to say that the flip side to that, which is not everybody is doing entrepreneurship here. Not everybody comes here wanting to build a business or have an idea. Already we have a lot of people coming from more that want to go to, to different, for example to tech or to consulting or to finance. A lot of people, I would say most people, that's the, that's the case. So I think that's one misconception and that you can just also like figure it out here too. If you want to do entrepreneurship or not, you don't have to come in knowing it.

That's definitely something I think with our clients that comes in a lot people, oh, I, you know, I work in investment banking. I don't even think I'm apply to GSB because I don't want to be an entrepreneur. It's like. No, no, no, that's, that's not it. If it was just a school for entrepreneurs, that'd be kind of boring for everyone else.

Yes.

Yeah. And if you look at the employment reports too, and I always encourage people do that. Like you see that a huge percentage of people go into traditional industries. So yeah, I think that's a great tip.

They do have a lot of opportunities for entrepreneurship and even for trying it out if you don't want to. Really not sure. They have like entrepreneurship immersion programs over the summer where they give you a stipend for you to try something new. This is very cool. But they're. Most people are wanting to go into finance, into. Into tech. There are a lot of people too, or consulting and like. And I think also people think they have to. At least people I talk to think, oh, I have to have done this major thing in my life to get in. And honestly, they put a lot of weight to. Into more, like, personal aspects. I had a session with my friends where we were reading each other's essays and drinking wine and reading their essays. Each one of them is so different. The background of, like, their background is different. Where they want to go is different. The way they. They wrote the essay is different. What they're bringing up in the essays is different. So I think this is, like, something that people get too worried about. And I think it's important to just, like, show who you are and, like, the reason why you want to be here and why this is the right place for you.

Like, oh, I have to show the perfect profile for gsb. Even if I don't want to be an entrepreneur, I have to say I do, because that's the only thing that's going to get me in. Absolutely. Great advice.

Very, very different essays. One was just talking about your personal life, and some were talking about, like, their career. Some of was a mix. It was, like, very interesting to. To. To read and getting to know people were like, getting to know my friends a bit more. It was also, like, a very special experience.

That'd be really cool. That's a very personal essay to let people read too.

Yes, yes. Like, it was a whole thing. You were like, let's do tonight. We'll have wine. We will discuss each other's essays. And you can really also hear their voices through the essays. Like, while I was reading, I could almost hear their voice, like, saying this because it was so dumb and it was like, so, you know, like, so personal. And you can really see their voices through. Through the. Through their words.

Oh, that's awesome. Yeah, you can mix them around, say, okay, we're going to read the essays. You guys have to figure out who is who.

It would be very easy. It would be too easy.

And what's a hidden gem at Stanford that more students should take advantage of?

I think probably not just Stanford, but probably that happens in other schools as well. But I think to me, the faculty. I don't know if a lot of people engage as much with faculty, and we have such amazing professors here who have, like, worked a lot, who had been, like, investors, who were entrepreneurs. So I think engaging with the faculty, like, I had lunch with a professor to understand, like, his research. Also this Matt Bennett thing where he was just, like, talking about his life and life lessons. It was one of the most special moments in class because they have so much to, so much knowledge, so much experience. Experience. And they're also, I think, like good people. Honestly. I think they, they, they, they want to be here, they want to be teaching, they want to be like getting their knowledge across to us. And I think this is one of the things people don't do as much, which is very valuable and to kind.

Of, I guess demystify that a little bit. Did you just approach them after class and be like, hey, do you want to go to lunch? Is it difficult to get in touch with professors? Because I think sometimes it seems like, oh my gosh, they're there, I'm here.

Yeah, everybody is super open and like the worst that can happen and can just say, oh, I'm busy, I can't. I think that it's no big deal. And this case was actually because I was gonna miss the class to go to this event and I was just emailing like, oh, I'm sorry, I'm gonna miss a class. I'm doing this study, I'm gonna do this presentation. And he's like, oh, I'm actually very interested in this topic. Your absence is not excused. But I'm very interested in this topic. I done my research on this and then I was like, oh, maybe we should grab lunch and talk about it and discuss this and, and it was a great lunch. And we've been like, talking since then, like about research, about paper. So this has been very, very new part of the experience for me.

That's so cool. Yeah. And if you want to be an entrepreneur, you're going to hear no.

A lot. So, yes.

Good practice.

Exactly, exactly.

So let's get into the part of the podcast where we do the fast pass insights. We'll just send you some rapid fire questions, whatever comes to mind. No right or wrong answers. So what's the most surprising thing about Stanford once you got there?

I will say it again, being a bit repetitive, but like people and how much they're like good listeners, they're present, they're curious, they really want to learn more. They asked the first question and they're asking follow up and follow up and follow up. And I think that this was very surprising and special in a good way.

And what's one Stanford tradition or event that really stood out to you?

To me for sure, is talk that we have every Wednesday night. So one student goes, two students go in front of class one of a time to talk for 30 minutes about their life, like in whatever way they want to. They can be as vulnerable as they want. They really go deep. Like, I pry most of the sessions, really. And you really get to know your classmates in a different way that you wouldn't otherwise.

Oh, that's awesome.

It's amazing.

Have you done your talk yet?

No, it's a lottery. I entered the lottery, but I was selected yet. But we still have a year, a few quarters ago.

And if you could relive one moment from your time at GSB so far, what would it be?

I think this is. This is a very tough one. I think a very special moment to me was band form. So this is, like, we have an event where you form bands. Like, whoever wants to play. You form a band with your classmates. You're like, oh, I sing, I play the guitar, I play the drums. And then you. Just for a band, everybody goes to, like, we rent out this, like, concert space, and then we have, like, ten bands each playing three or four songs. Oh, cool. And it's, like, so amazing because you see these people who are, like, amazing in class. They're super smart at the same time, like, they're very professional. Like, this is one thing about people here, when they say they're good, that they do something. Oh, I play an instrument. Like, they really play an instrument. They say, oh, I play, like, sports. Like, they're like. This was, like, a very. Like, it's crazy how good people are. And I think this was one of the most special nights where everybody was just, like, together having fun, dancing, singing, and it's something that I. I don't know. It was, like, one of special memories from my first quarter here.

Sounds really cool.

Did you play? I didn't. I didn't. Maybe next one. I'm not as good as them, but I'll give it a try.

Yeah, it's always fun to try.

Yeah.

What's the best decision you've made so far during your mba?

Honestly, spending time in the first quarter getting to know people, because, at least to me, like, I'm an introvert. It could be very overwhelming. But I did think it was, like, a good decision to get to know people, because this is, like, one of the most special parts of the experience, and it really, like, changed my. My experience here, my friends and. Yeah, that's it.

And what's your golden buzzer insight about Stanford? Something that truly defines the experience but might not be obvious to applicants.

To me is that part about how much it opens your mind. Like, how much it, like, broadens the horizon of things you thought were possible and what you thought you could do. So I have a friend that says this, that I think is very like exactly what I'm trying to say. He says like, oh, if I went to hbs, I knew exactly what path I was going to take. I knew that I was going to go into pe. I knew like what was on the horizon for me. And coming here like now I have no idea like everything's possible. I might go to a startup, I might do this and that and it really creates like it opens your mind like nothing's obvious and everything's possible. So I think that's the, that's my take.

And if someone is deciding between Stanford and another top MBA program, what is one question that they should ask themselves?

I, I think like all of these programs stop programs are amazing so they're going to be, be happy for sure. To me there are a few things first about like the, the teaching methodology, I think they're very different. So if you're going for example for just like a case based methodology in a different one, I think that changes a lot the experience. This is also something I underestimate which is being like the city or isolated school. I think this, this is something that surprised me where like honestly no nightlife here. If you're looking to just like have fun, go out, this is probably not the place for you to, to do that. But it does create like a very strong community. So I think that's, that's one too. And also thinking about your career, if you're going into like, for, for sure into like finance roles, maybe there are other schools that prepare you better in like this hard skills. I don't know, I don't, I don't go to them. But I would guess to me here's a very good mix of soft and hard skills where you learn, you have a lot of like strong core curriculum but you also learn about like leadership. You think about the leader that you want to be and you really think about like you also have like this more soft skills and more creative side and I think this is very special about Stanford.

Well, thank you so much. It's been such a pleasure to have you. Amazing insights that I think will be really valuable to anyone looking to apply to Stanford. So thank you so much.

Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure. And thank you for all the help like all the support in the process. I couldn't have done without you honestly. And this has truly like changed my life and I'm having the time of my life here. Thank you so much. Good.

Well, it was a pleasure. We always, we enjoyed working with you a ton. And especially with Stanford, you know, getting to learn so much about your story. And so if you're out there listening and you're looking to apply to GSB or any other top school, you can Visit our website, Ellen Lawley.com and apply to work with us. And if you haven't already, check out our other episode with Henata about her entrepreneurial journey, her journey as a founder. It's one that you definitely shouldn't miss. So thank you again and thank you all for listening.