About Jessica: Jessica Cheng ('20) came to Anderson to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. Prior to school, she worked in investment banking, corporate planning, and product management. At Anderson she co-founded Wellness & Yoga and Sustainability@Anderson.
“Our only job is to make you successful. If you’re successful, we’re successful.” That’s what Trish Halamandaris ‘92, the Director of the Anderson Venture Accelerator, said to my cohort of startups on the first day of our program in the summer of 2019. Even today I remember the moment clearly because it reminded me that my startup dreams were being whole-heartedly championed by my school.
I chose Anderson to pursue my MBA in large part because of the UCLA Anderson Venture Accelerator. Having studied business as an undergraduate, I wanted more than just classroom theory and analysis – I desired an intensive, hands-on experience that would teach me not just the “whys”, but the “hows” of business. Looking back at the six-month-long Accelerator program, my expectations were surpassed; I feel more prepared for a journey in entrepreneurship, and more importantly, more certain than ever of my social responsibility as a businesswoman and Anderson grad. This tremendous growth was made possible only through the Accelerator’s commitment to a five-star learning experience, which involved a meticulously curated teaching agenda, one-on-one coaching, and a strong sense of camaraderie.
The Teaching Agenda
I think of the Accelerator program as a six-credit course on top of my regular academics that was personalized to my unique needs. My cohort and I met weekly (sometimes more) to hear from industry experts, fellow founders, and even vendors—like KPMG or Amazon Web Services—who help launch startups. My favorite was the full-day “Marketing Bootcamp”, where I got to hear from industry experts like Jonathan Shieber, an editor at TechChrunch who gave us an insider’s view on managing public relations, and Rod Kurtz, a marketing guru who later helped me develop a “bar pitch” for my idea. Another was the “Finance Bootcamp”, where I heard from fellow Anderson alumna and founder, Ksenia Yudina ‘14, who shared her personal experience fundraising as a woman in the male-dominated VC world. I found that these programs elevated my thinking and ability to execute, complementing my classroom learning through an emphasis on the most current, relevant, and tactical information.
The Individualized Attention
The Accelerator had the most individualized delivery of teaching I experienced at Anderson—a style that Trish calls the “white-glove service”. I experienced more one-on-one office hours, feedback sessions, and workshops with the Anderson staff who teach and advise than in all my other courses combined. The most unbelievably helpful were the rehearsal sessions for the Showcase Pitch where we worked individually to improve our pitches with industry experts like Lisa Kraynak, CMO and growth executive, and Saujin Yi, founder of Liquid. I also will never forget Eric Cazenave, a presentation coach, who made me practice my pitch while shadow boxing in order to evoke power and intensity. Furthermore, the Accelerator paired me with my own startup mentor, Mona Mirakor, who spent hours advising me on everything from product-market-fit to finding local talent. Arvind Rao, a senior director at Symantec and our entrepreneur-in-residence, even set up bi-weekly check-ins to help me tackle difficult problems, always spending more time than planned. Lastly, Trish and Janet Chung ’18 also challenged me during our office hours with more candidness and persistence than any professor ever had. Because of the personalized attention, honest feedback, and a culture focused on hands-on practicality, I grew tremendously—particularly in my confidence, judgement, and ability to execute.
The Camaraderie
Entrepreneurs are a special breed – curious, collaborative, and just slightly chaotic. As a result, the Accelerator naturally developed a magnetic and vibrant energy that was uniquely distinct from other communities on campus. I loved the Accelerator-organized social events like lunches, happy-hours, and off-site outings that helped me build relationships with startup leaders in a meaningful and lasting way. Moreover, I admired my peers (like the founders of Wire, InnoDT, and 81cents) and the Accelerator powerhouses (like Trish, Janet, and Will Freas), and felt invigorated by their unwavering dedication and ambition in the pursuit of their visions. Even today, I turn to them for business advice, emotional support, and occasionally goofing off after a long day of hustle. It’s nice to know that even when life gets crazy, they are always there for me, day in and day out.
When I look back at my Anderson experience, the Accelerator was the thread that connected everything for me. This was home, especially during the summer when I worked out of the Accelerator full-time. The personal bonds I formed, the practical insights I received, and the personal growth I experienced at the Accelerator was unparalleled. When I imagine returning in five years as an alumna, this will be the place I visit to relive my fondest memories. This is also where I would “give back” as maybe a mentor, a speaker, or a donor. I truly believe in their approach to teaching entrepreneurship and empowering my generation to think fearlessly, act collaboratively, and drive change.
Student Blogger: Jessica Cheng ‘20
Undergrad: Cornell University ‘13 (Hotel Administration)
Pre-MBA: Fitness App Startup
Leadership@Anderson: Wellness & Yoga Club (Co-President, Co-Founder), Sustainability@Anderson (Co-Founder)