A Ukrainian entrepreneur’s road to an EMBA at Kellogg

At a young age, Roman Slobodian ’24 MBA knew that one day he’d leave the comfort of his small-town surroundings to explore the world beyond. He felt an urban environment could offer greater opportunities for his betterment.

Learn more about the experiences that fueled his dreams of attending business school in the U.S., why he values quality of time rather than creating balance and how his Executive MBA (EMBA) is supporting his entrepreneurial journey.

Can you tell us about your journey from a small town in Ukraine to pursuing an Executive MBA at Kellogg? What inspired you to pursue business education in the United States?  

I was born in a small town called Pidvolochysk located in the west part of Ukraine with around 8,000 people. At that time, it was part of the USSR, and for many families — including mine where both of my parents were teachers — times weren’t easy. 

I’ve dreamed of living in a big city ever since I was a kid when my dad would take me to visit Kyiv. My dream came true, when after high school, I applied to Kyiv National Economic University and was accepted to their graduate program. In 2006, I visited Chicago for a summer work and travel program during my summer break.

After witnessing all that Chicago offers in terms of educational, professional and business opportunities, I narrowed my focus to targeting globally ranked business schools within this geographic area. About 15 years later that spanned highs and lows with a mix of accomplishments and challenges, in 2022, after a conversation with family and friends who had completed their MBAs, I decided to pursue an EMBA at Kellogg.        

Balancing family, business, school and hobbies sounds like a full plate. How do you manage your time effectively across these areas?  

I will say it hasn't been easy, and I really appreciate my family including my wife and my parents. I've been able to integrate my family into my academic journey. They’ve traveled with me during my international electives at Kellogg meeting me either before or toward the end of the immersive classes.  

On the topic of balance, I believe that depends on where you are in your life (e.g. your age) and your needs. In some periods of life, we need to spend a lot of time building a business and work 14-16 hours a day, yet in other periods, we need to spend more time with our friends or family. And sometimes, we need to dedicate most of our time to studying. That's how I live. 

Instead of viewing life in terms of balance, I prefer to strive for quality of time. For example, if I have two hours per day to spend with my son, I will make sure that time is the best I have to offer. I leave my phone aside and play soccer with him, bathe him, take a walk together or read a book to him. That’s what is important. Yes, you can have the whole day, but how productive and memorable is that day for my son? How much did I engage with him, and how much would he cherish that day if I didn’t pay attention and was watching TV or using my phone? 

How has your experience in the EMBA program influenced your approach to leadership and management within your own company?

It has had a significant impact on my company, and I can see it influencing my future businesses. I’ve built my company through self-education and based on my own experience — with its fair share of learning moments. 

At Kellogg, I’ve been immersed in a world that brings people from different industries and life experiences together. I’ve witnessed a wide range of visions and strategies from business leaders at Pepsico, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Google and many other companies including entrepreneurial ventures. This environment has helped me build my team and my company structure more efficiently.

I clearly understand, after Professor Brian Uzzi’s leadership class, that my team and networking are superpowers and listening to people and building a network is one of the most important assets for any company. People never become successful on their own rather with people along for the ride.

Starting your own company in the United States is a significant achievement — congrats! What challenges have you faced as an entrepreneur, and how has the EMBA Program — or the broader Kellogg community and resources — supported you?  

One of the biggest challenges in my industry is establishing direct connections since large logistics brokers often prevent smaller companies from collaborating directly. Since starting at Kellogg, I've expanded my network significantly, and now, I have access to people within the industry who I can potentially help with their supply chain issues.  

Kellogg provides a valuable platform with a database of business owners, and through LinkedIn, I've been able to connect with my peers and Kellogg alumni from around the world.             

Can you share a specific concept or lesson from the program that you've been able to directly apply to your business?  

I am currently in the process of finding another company to acquire, and the knowledge I gained from Professor Mitchell Petersen's Finance 2 and Finance 3 courses have significantly enhanced my professional abilities in various aspects.  

I’ve learned more about how to value a company, what crucial aspects to consider when reviewing a profit & loss statement and balance sheet and how to calculate the net present value of a project. 

Professor Alexander Chernev’s invaluable insights into marketing strategy and branding have shown me the importance of achieving a better profit margin through effective branding. I am currently working on implementing this knowledge into my business strategies. 

The EMBA program includes experiential learning trips. You’ve traveled to Lisbon, Hong Kong, Dubai and Toronto for global immersion to broaden your perspective. How have these cross-cultural exchanges contributed to your understanding of global business dynamics or leadership challenges?  

This is one of the best aspects of the school’s EMBA program. The opportunity to travel and acquire knowledge from around the world with the guidance of top professors and a diverse group of people is unparalleled.  

For instance, in Hong Kong, I met individuals from various industries such as finance, hospitality and supply chain, as well as business owners. Hearing their perspectives on business processes was incredibly enlightening.  

Dubai was an entirely new experience for me, and it was truly remarkable to witness the city’s rapid growth, booming economy and commitment to providing exceptional service to its visitors. Kellogg organized a tour of the government Department of Business and Investment in Dubai where we heard firsthand from officials about their support for business initiatives and investments. Their dedication to fostering a conducive business environment left a lasting impression on me. One of my favorite quotes from Dubai is, ‘What is good for business is good for Dubai.’

In Lisbon, Professor Chernev’s Strategic Brand Management class and Professor Sergio Rebelo’s International Finance class were particularly outstanding. We had the opportunity to engage with an owner of a winery and worked on real cases to develop a strategy for his wine brand. The experience included wine-tasting sessions, all set within the elegant ambiance of a traditional 19th-century Portuguese Palace in Lisbon. 

Additionally, we learned how to hedge international transactions and operations for companies operating in multiple markets with different currencies.

 
Networking is often cited as one of the most valuable aspects of attending a top business school, and it is also essential for your career. Can you share any memorable networking experiences or connections you’ve made within your cohort or through the program?  

This program enables us to learn from professors and from each other. EMBA students from various industries are always contributing something valuable whether it’s providing insights into a case problem or sharing their past experiences. I have received valuable advice from both my cohort peers and Kellogg alumni. 

I encountered a particularly interesting situation in my business where I urgently needed legal assistance. Despite my efforts, I couldn’t find a suitable lawyer until the last minute. However, Elke Rehbock ’24 MBA from my cohort promptly responded to my message and connected me with the right person. While it may sound like a simple task, that situation was crucial for my business, and her contact information proved to be immensely helpful. 
 
As someone who values motivating others, how do you plan to leverage your experiences and education from Kellogg to inspire individuals within your community or industry?

If someone asks me whether an EMBA is necessary for business owners, I can unequivocally say yes. If you have the opportunity to pursue it, seize it — the importance of education cannot be undermined. Many cite examples like Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates, who dropped out of school, but fail to consider that they first gained admission to some of the best schools in the world before making that decision. 

While self-education through YouTube videos and books can supplement one's knowledge, it pales in comparison to the experience gained through an EMBA program. When you arrive on campus and spend three days surrounded by brilliant minds, you're provided with an unparalleled opportunity to learn and network without having to worry about anything else. 

Never think that you're too young or too old to pursue an EMBA. It’s never too late to make your dreams a reality. I have classmates in my cohort who range from their twenties to nearly sixty years old. Ultimately, it's all about your mindset and determination — take charge of your future.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the individuals who admitted me to this program and to every person who works on campus. You make our lives so seamless when we arrive and alleviate any worries we may have. I extend my thanks to each professor for providing us with amazing experiences and imparting knowledge that I am certain I will never forget.

I am grateful for every student in my cohort, as well as those in other cohorts and different parts of the world. Together, we all contribute value to each other, and this connection is incredibly powerful. Life is filled with challenges but knowing that Kellogg people are always there for one another brings comfort.  

Follow his journey and more through his YouTube channel where he showcases inspiring stories of those who embark on this transformative educational path.

Read next: Balancing life as an entrepreneur, family man and MBA student