Jeremiah Sarmiento spoke to HPU students about his experience earning his MBA.
In honor of HPU's legacy of cultivating resilient leaders, The ‘Ohana sat down with an alumnus of the MBA program who expertly balances innovation, family dynamics, and a commitment to lifelong learning. This alumnus's journey showcases how HPU provides a flexible foundation for successful, values driven leadership.
Jeremiah Sarmiento ‘10, who earned an EMBA from HPU, enrolled in the program because it seamlessly integrated into his professional life.
"Being an alumnus of UH, I wanted to give another university a try, and the EMBA option worked best around my current business schedule," Sarmiento shared. "It was great to be able to focus on work during the week and then dedicate Fridays and Saturdays to additional learning and studies.
The Value of Cohort Connection
One of the most profound aspects of the program, Sarmiento noted, was the cohort structure. This environment fostered a deep sense of community that extends beyond graduation.
"The cohort style definitely gives you that sense of belonging," he explained. "It made it very conducive to step outside your comfort zone, get to know people, and cultivate long term friendships."
This closeness proved beneficial, not just personally, but professionally. While the networking was organic, he was surprised when a few of his fellow alumni eventually became clients. "The service we offered was of interest to them, so it worked out," he said.
Navigating Family Leadership
Today, Sarmiento runs a business with unique leadership challenges. It's a family enterprise. He acknowledges that balancing family dynamics with corporate structure requires constant vigilance.
"Running a family business is not easy," he admitted. "Leadership is something you learn, but when you pepper in the family dynamics, you have to understand who's the leader at what time? You have to be able to read the room at the moment."
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For students looking to launch their own ventures, Sarmiento emphasized that success is built on foundational research, not just a good idea.
"It should be a well-thought-out process that requires an abundance of market research because new businesses are a dime a dozen," he advises. The core pillars of success, he believes, are simple: Can you provide a service, make a good living, and make the customer happy? "You have to take care of the customer, as they are the ones who drive revenue."
Sarmiento’s own company, which is in the specialized water filtration business, benefits from its unique market position. "There is a certain product knowledge required to do what we do," he noted. "It also helps that I’m a natural talker; it makes it easy to get to know the person you’re doing business with and see if there’s a good fit."
The Simple, Guiding Principle: Show Up
When asked for advise that guides his life, Sarmiento’s answer was direct and profound: “Show up.”
“Whether it’s a meeting with a new client, or to your family at home, you want to show up and be present,” he stressed. “There is so much distraction in the world today that being there and being cognizant of the people you are around is so important.”
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Reflecting on his time at HPU as a graduate student, Sarmiento wishes he had taken the experience slower, encouraging current students to enjoy the journey of achieving their goals. "If you forget to stop and enjoy the journey, well, congratulations, you achieved your goal, but it wasn't that memorable for you."
His ultimate piece of advice for building future careers centers on community engagement and connection emphasized the power of networking.
“Meet as many people as you can, because networking is probably the most important contact sport out there. Get out there and be visible," Sarmiento urged. This visibility, through community service or social events, also helps practice public speaking. “Get off your phone and get out there and live life a little bit.”
To learn more about the MBA at HPU, go to: www.hpu.edu/mba.
