Global Part-time MBA alumnus Daniel Mijic shares his experience of how the MBA helped him leverage his expertise in the corporate services industry into a successful startup.
I'm originally from Liechtenstein, a small but wealthy country in the heart of Europe. I worked in the trust and corporate services industry for nearly 20 years before moving to Hong Kong in 2014 for a two-year international assignment from my then-employer.
That relocation was a turning point. Living and working in Asia exposed me to a new market dynamic, and sparked the idea to launch my own business consultancy.
During my time in Hong Kong, I noticed a recurring pattern: many expat entrepreneurs were eager to launch businesses but struggled with local regulations, setup processes, and cross-border strategy. I realised there was a gap and an opportunity.
That insight, combined with my industry background, inspired me to launch a consultancy called Blue Concept Asia. We're focused on helping entrepreneurs, families, and high-net-worth individuals set up and manage businesses in Hong Kong.
Today, my firm acts as a one-stop shop - guiding clients through asset protection, succession planning, and cross-border business structuring, with Hong Kong serving as a strategic entry point to China.
Why I chose Alliance Manchester Business School
I chose the Manchester Global Part-time MBA at AMBS because of its solid history and strong international reputation.
That mattered to me as someone from a small European country. I knew a degree from Manchester would carry weight back home and open doors in Asia.
Coming from Liechtenstein, which is a bit of a 'golden cage', I found Hong Kong very competitive. There is competition in everything, even down to education: everyone needed and wanted a university degree.
What stood out to me was that AMBS has a dedicated campus in Hong Kong, unlike many other international business schools that only operate through local partnerships. That direct presence made a real difference in terms of access, support, and connection to Manchester.
Why a part-time MBA?
As someone who was already a company director, the flexibility of a part-time MBA was crucial. I was already in a leading executive position, and I was in the middle of growing my career, so being a full-time student was never an option for me. However, I wanted to continue to flourish in my career, and an MBA was important to complete my portfolio of knowledge.
When comparing part-time MBAs, I had considered universities in London. But Manchester stood out for its global learning approach. I liked that I could travel to Manchester for electives and graduation while staying connected locally in Hong Kong.
Building a network that went beyond business
One of the most valuable parts of the Manchester Global Part-time MBA was the people. As an entrepreneur, personal connections are essential. Your network becomes your support system, sounding board, and sometimes even your future collaborators or clients.
During the MBA, I met professionals from all over the world, many of whom I still keep in touch with today. In Hong Kong, my classmates jokingly called me the 'CEO', Chief Entertainment Officer, because I always made time to welcome visiting students, show them around the city, and connect outside of the classroom. I even introduced two classmates who are now married and expecting a child!
These relationships have had a lasting impact. They remind me that entrepreneurship isn't just about profit or growth. It's about people. Whether you're starting a business or scaling one, having a strong, international network makes a real difference.
Is an MBA worth it for entrepreneurs?
I do believe an MBA is a good path for those who have an entrepreneurial flair.
These days, I feel a lot of people study an MBA as a tick-box exercise to have the letters on their CV. For me, it was a chance to deep dive into strategies and case studies that supported my journey to becoming an entrepreneur. I had a clear goal going in, which helped me take away exactly what I needed to grow my career.
Furthermore, I believe an MBA will really help you focus on business strategy. It will help reshape your focus and mind, so you can channel the knowledge you already have into the right direction.
Before I enrolled, I was already a company director. But the programme has totally changed my thinking. I started to rethink our company goals and plans, and I was questioning my team's strategy and where we saw ourselves in 5 years' time.
Now, when I advise my clients, I regularly draw on what I learned during the MBA. I believe it really gave me that extra boost to be successful today.
