College Experiences That Helped a Founder and CEO at Mustard and Moxie Succeed
Although Anna's undergraduate film and television production studies differ from current work as Founder & CEO of Mustard & Moxie, the training provided a foundation in "telling stories," a skill now applied to crafting compelling narratives for clients and nonprofits. This includes the ability to "envision what a happy ending looks like," fostering optimism and driving success.
Storytelling, Communication, Imagination, Optimism, Entrepreneurial Mindset
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Anna Boudinot
Founder & CEO
Mustard & Moxie
New York University, 2000
UCLA Anderson MBA
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
Scholarship Recipient, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. Approached undergraduate studies with a storytelling mindset, a skill transferable to crafting compelling narratives for clients and envisioning successful outcomes.
2. Developed the ability to identify the core of a story, crucial for understanding client needs and creating effective communication strategies.
3. Cultivated boundless optimism and the ability to envision successful outcomes, even in uncertain situations, which is valuable for navigating challenges in business and problem-solving for clients.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
This is a difficult question for me to answer because my undergraduate studies were so vastly different from what I'm doing now. However, there is a through line.
I was an aspiring screenwriter and film director, and I approached my undergraduate program in film and television production with the mindset that I was going to be telling stories. I still tell stories.
I tell the stories of my clients and the stories of the people who are helped by my nonprofit clients. I believe my training as a filmmaker has given me an advantage in being able to tell a compelling story.
This includes asking questions to find the heart of a story and envisioning what a happy ending looks like. Having the imagination to know that even if the current story doesn't have an ending yet, here's what it could be.
That boundless optimism that the story will have a good ending has truly helped me.