After an MBA at Italy\u2019s Bologna Business School, Mario Alberghini is fulfilling his lifelong dream and setting up his very own menswear store.<\/p>\n
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Since starting out his career on front-line sales at Zara, the world\u2019s biggest clothing chain, and then in marketing at Italian menswear label Canali in New York, the Puerto Rico born fashionista has worked his way up in the fashion industry.<\/p>\n
After moving on from a corporate-type stock specialist role at Italian clothing manufacturing company Zanella, the San Juan stylist moved to his father\u2019s hometown, Bologna, for his MBA.
\nThe experience invigorated Mario\u2019s enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and he moved back home to help set up an educational services company, as well as an online business selling pickled food products.<\/p>\n
Currently, all other projects have been put on hold as the high-flying fashion aficionado focuses all his efforts on the big launch of his new store \u2014 La Tigre Uomo \u2014 in February next year.<\/p>\n
What plans do you have for your new business?<\/strong><\/p>\n La Tigre is the name of my favorite osteria [a bar\/restaurant] in Bologna and it sums up the things I love most in life. What challenges do you face in setting up it up?<\/strong><\/p>\n La Tigre is coming into the market during a tumultuous economic period in Puerto Rico. Offering a truly differentiated experience to turn customers into repeat purchasers will be key. Can your store compete with the growing online fashion market?<\/strong><\/p>\n When I was in college all they talked about in retail management was the end of bricks-and-mortar businesses and the need to shift to online. But I never believed retail was dead, only that it needed to be cleaned up. What advice do you have for MBAs looking to start their own business?<\/strong><\/p>\n The risk factor is very big and sometimes exhausting, but nothing ever compares to the satisfaction of accomplishing your goals. Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?
\nI want my store to grow and multiply, but keep the feel and look of a place where you can have memorable experiences with wine, music and great company, all in a retail context.<\/p>\n
\nBut we are also looking south and trying to develop a brand that really speaks to Hispanic men in booming economies.<\/p>\n
\nFor every special occasion you need to be well-dressed, you need to talk about it, and you need to feel at ease with your purchase decisions. Try getting that from your tablet!<\/p>\n
\nWhatever your business is invested in should be something that you feel passionate about. The difference between a product or service that is mediocre, and one that is truly beautiful, has a lot to do with the love that goes into producing it.<\/p>\n
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\nI\u2019d dreamt of opening my own menswear store since I was 15. It drew me to business school as an undergraduate and to BBS as an MBA.
\nBefore my MBA, starting a corporate-type career at [luxury menswear brand] Zanella right when the recession hit in 2008 was tough. I considered myself lucky to even have a job and I didn\u2019t feel like there was much room in which to grow my experience and knowledge.
\nOn a flight to Puerto Rico, I came across an article about the BBS MBA program in a business magazine. Up until that point it had not even crossed my mind to do an MBA, but for some reason it felt like the right thing to do. It turned out to be the best decision I\u2019ve ever made!<\/p>\n