How to spin entrepreneurial experience for recruiting? (Started/Sold Company as a Freshman)

Currently a sophomore at a semi-target in the Westcoast (UCLA, USC, UCB) with previous entrepreneurship experience starting two businesses. First one was a e-commerce Tech business that I started in HS and built to earn an annual revenue of $700,000 and sold it last year. Then co-founded another business where I led our team of 7 to a pre-seed $100,000 fundraising round at a $2.5 million valuation. I now am interning at a boutique sell-side M&A firm and will be interning at a MM this summer.

How can I spin the entrepreneurship experience for recruiting and interviewing for my junior summer SA in New York so it does come off as bragging? I also have a lower GPA, 3.4 cumulative but 3.8 major.

7 Comments
 

Honestly you should be bragging about this, humbly. These accomplishments are something to be proud of and showcase that you have much more experience than most candidates applying for Summer Analyst positions. You should be in a good position for recruiting as long as you confidently speak about your story and nail the technicals. 

 

Realized that I want to pursue IB for couple of reasons. First, I don't have an idea that I'm extremely passionate about at the moment. Second, I feel that IB will allow me to build a good network and develop a solid understanding for finance. Third, I am thinking of applying to get an MBA at H/W/S so that I can have two years to again think of a bigger idea with a much better network to build a solid team and hopefully start something much larger. 

Essentially thinking more long term than short term, where I am willing to sacrifice 2 or 3 years in IB for a much larger goal. I am pretty determined in pursuing IB. Do you have any advice for recruiting?

 

Realized that I want to pursue IB for couple of reasons. First, I don't have an idea that I'm extremely passionate about at the moment. Second, I feel that IB will allow me to build a good network and develop a solid understanding for finance. Third, I am thinking of applying to get an MBA at H/W/S so that I can have two years to again think of a bigger idea with a much better network to build a solid team and hopefully start something much larger. 

Essentially thinking more long term than short term, where I am willing to sacrifice 2 or 3 years in IB for a much larger goal. I am pretty determined in pursuing IB, do you have any advice for recruiting?

 

At iusto quo qui vel consequatur animi. Nam vitae aliquid esse harum perferendis. Odit deleniti ea est in quia libero. Molestias enim sit et veritatis voluptas dolores corrupti. Rerum quam delectus molestiae tenetur earum. Voluptatem fuga officia laboriosam. Minima rerum consequatur aut provident in.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”