How does a Master’s at Glion help you start your own business? For recent graduate Fabienne Stanitz, it was the ideal preparation.

Glion’s supportive academic environment coupled with teaching that encourages innovative thinking have been instrumental in helping Master’s in Hospitality, Entrepreneurship and Innovation graduate Fabienne Stanitz take her first foray into the wine industry.

With FabstWines, which launched on April 19th, Fabienne is putting into practice much of the theory she learned during her Master’s as well as deploying some of the softer skills that a Glion education gives students.

“During my Master’s program, I learned invaluable skills and knowledge related to starting a business in the hospitality industry,” says Fabienne. “From A to Z, I was taught how to create and manage a successful start-up, with supportive guest lecturers always available to provide guidance and advice.

“Not only that, the practical nature of the program allowed me to immediately apply what I learned, making the experience incredibly beneficial to my new venture.”

Reflecting on her time studying at Glion, Fabienne highlighted the challenging and supportive academic environment as significant factors that have prepared her for being an entrepreneur in the hospitality industry.

“The coursework was rigorous and it pushed me to my limits, but it was during those challenging moments where I found the most growth, personally and academically,” she says. “What made Glion truly special was the unwavering support of the faculty and staff. They believed in us and helped us believe in ourselves. I will always be grateful for the education and mentorship I received there, which has prepared me to achieve my dreams and make a difference in the world.”

Rising to the challenge

It was not just the program content that provided Fabienne with a test – being a Senior Ambassador and a member of the Student Government Association (SGA), meant her timetable was suitably challenging.

“In particular, I had to boost my time management and prioritization skills,” she says. “When you’re balancing non-study activities with work assignments and academic responsibilities, it can be tough, especially when you have group projects you need to complete as well.

“Luckily for me, my professors, mentors and peers were always on hand to support me. Thanks to their help, setting realistic goals and a positive attitude, I managed to excel in both my academic and extracurricular activities.”

But it wasn’t all about overcoming challenges, as Fabienne found much to enjoy during her time at Glion.

“My focus throughout the program was creating a solid business plan that I could use to launch my start-up, Fabstwines,” she says. “So naturally the classes that helped me with that were among my favorites. I particularly liked learning about mergers and acquisitions, fundraising and the future of hospitality, but really, every class was valuable in its own way and contributed to my overall learning and growth.

“Group projects were really useful too – they taught me how to collaborate and communicate effectively with others who may have different perspectives, which I believe has made me more adaptable and better prepared for the ever-changing and competitive hospitality industry.”

Effective faculty

While Fabienne found the program content valuable, she also genuinely appreciated the Glion faculty.

“Our professors brought real-life industry experiences to the classroom, which was highly insightful and practical,” she says. “I loved how they encouraged us to think critically and challenged us to develop our ideas further. I also valued the visiting guest lecturers, who shared their expertise and gave us a glimpse of what it’s like to work in the industry.”

The course structure and style of teaching were also aspects of the program Fabienne found invaluable.

“Overall, the lessons were well-structured and the faculty were always willing to go the extra mile to help us succeed,” she says. “The approach is focused on practical knowledge, which lectures from visiting industry professionals cemented in our minds. It’s a unique and highly effective teaching style because it provides us with the kind of insights and experiences that cannot be found in textbooks.

“What these guest lecturers also brought was a fresh perspective to the classroom, making the learning experience more engaging and interactive.”

Ready to launch

So how prepared for the world of innovation and business start-ups did Fabienne feel after completing her Master’s program at Glion?

“The emphasis on practical skills and real-world experience has allowed me to apply what I learned in the classroom to real-life situations,” she says. “At the same time, the program provided a solid theoretical foundation that’s helped me understand the underlying principles of the industry.

“I’d say my studies at Glion have prepared me exceptionally well for my future career. The opportunity to develop my business plan with real industry professionals has given me an invaluable experience, while the network and connections I’ve made will help make my transition from student to professional so much smoother.

“Above all, the program constantly challenges students to think outside the box and create new concepts that do not yet exist in the industry, which is exactly what I’m aiming to do.”

• Main image caption: Pictured at the launch of FabstWines are (left to right): Vedashree Kane, Marketing and Social Media Intern at FabstWines, Fabienne Stanitz, and Andrea de Giorgio, Chief Technology Officer of FabstWines.