Alumni


Alum Who Created ‘Merican Mule Cocktail Company Has Plenty to Celebrate

UConn Today -Sales of ‘Merican Mule premium cocktail have skyrocketed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, fueling the good spirits of its UConn alumnus co-founder.

“Sales have been shot out of a cannon,’’ says Dean Mahoney ’09 (BUS). “The pandemic posed challenges to people who typically went to bars and restaurants. They wanted a quality cocktail at home, so they shifted their search to liquor stores.Continue Reading


A Taste of Something New! Alumnus Creates Monthly ‘Subscription Box’ Filled with Distinctive Local Goodies

Curated CT provides products from a variety of local sources. Pictured above, is a sample from a previous month. (Contrbuted Photo)
Curated CT provides products from a variety of local sources. Pictured above, is a sample from a previous month. (Contributed Photo)

For more than a decade, alumnus Donald Pendagast ’20 MBA, had been thinking about ways to introduce people to local, small food businesses that they might not try otherwise. In October, his idea came to fruition with the creation of Curated CT, a subscription food box featuring local delicacies, including cheese, coffee, chocolate and sometimes beer. The company is already turning a profit and donates some of its profits to a different local charity every month.Continue Reading


Alumna to Share Mindset Secrets To Help Women Entrepreneurs Prosper

Charlene Walters '92, pictured above, will headline the upcoming xCITE networking event. (Contributed photo)
Charlene Walters ’92, pictured above, will headline the upcoming xCITE networking event. (Contributed photo)

As brazen as it might seem in an uncertain economy, now may be the ideal time for many women to take that giant step into entrepreneurship.

That’s the advice of UConn alumna Charlene Walters ’92, who has created a blueprint for women interested in pursuing their own businesses.

Walters, an entrepreneurship coach, business and branding mentor, and author, will be the keynote speaker at the School of Business’ “xCITE: Women in Entrepreneurship Network” series for women who are, or want to become, entrepreneurs. The event, which will be virtual this year, is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16. This is the first in a series of programs to connect women entrepreneurs.Continue Reading


Former Walmart CEO Bill Simon: Business Will Be Pivotal In Post-COVID Rebound

Photo of former Wal MArt CEO Bill Simon posing at UConn Stamford.
Former Wal Mart CEO Bill Simon, pictured above, posing at UConn Stamford. Bill was the keynote speaker for the Rosenberg McVay Lecture Series. (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business.)

Long before he became the President and CEO of Walmart, UConn alumnus Bill Simon ’81, ’88 MBA worked as a production manager in an RJR-Nabisco cigarette factory.

With a freshly minted UConn bachelors degree, and having served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, Simon was less than thrilled to be designated the factory’s third-shift supervisor. Within weeks he recognized that if he didn’t take charge of his career, he would be in the same job for 30 years.Continue Reading


Words of Wisdom Punctuate Stamford BCLC’s ‘Fireside Chats’ Podcast

BCLC Stamford Fireside Chats LOGO 1600x1000
(Image courtesy of BCLC)

As a freshman, Ryan Stone loved listening to the guest speakers invited to campus through the Business Connections Learning Community (BCLC) Stamford.

“They were super interesting,” said Stone, a junior and a Fairfield resident. “You would take away something different from each one.”

But by semester’s end, Stone was dismayed to find he couldn’t instantly recall all the speakers’ helpful tips and career insights when he was studying for an exam or prepping for a job interview.Continue Reading


Former Walmart CEO Bill Simon: In Challenging Times, the Wisest Business Leaders Triumph

Former Walmart CEO Bill Simon poses in front of an escalator in the UConn Stamford campus.
Former Walmart CEO Bill Simon ’81, ’88 MBA is the keynote speaker for the Schools of Business’s Rosenberg McVay Business Leadership series. (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)

Even in a year of unprecedented upheaval like this one, exceptional business leaders must persevere, said former Walmart CEO and UConn alumnus Bill Simon ’81, ’88 MBA.Continue Reading


15 New Faculty Join Business School

COmposite Image of new faculty members, with a welcome message in the middle
The School of Business welcomes new faculty this fall. Top from left, Meng Gao, Garth Monroe, Tao Lu. Bottom from left, Zachary Suetta, Ryan Coles, Christina Kan.

Fifteen new, accomplished, and enthusiastic faculty have joined the School of Business this fall.Continue Reading