There are not many MBA graduates like Pak Win (real name Tjokro Wimantara). Originally from Indonesia, Win is a successful entrepreneur and global influencer, attracting 1.9 million followers on TikTok alone.
If his success is anything to go by, he’s picked up more than just an arsenal of essential business skills during his time at business school.
We caught up with Win to find out how a Global MBA in China propelled him to stardom, positioning him as a global entrepreneur.
Pivoting from engineering to business via a Global MBA
With an undergraduate degree in robotics and experience as an engineer, Win had already developed an innovative mindset. He has also been a CFA Charterholder since 2016.
Yet, he found that his passion wasn’t in the world of tech.
“I initially wanted to transition to a career in finance,” he says, “so I looked into MBA programs.”
He set his sights on a Global MBA program and looked no further than China, which was a strategic decision.
“I saw that China was becoming more and more dominant in the business and tech world,” he says.
When it came to selecting a program in China, he was immediately attracted to one of the leading MBA programs in China: Tsinghua Global MBA at Tsinghua University, School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM).
“I knew, if I were to be successful, I would need to understand the Chinese language, local culture, and network in China,” he says.
Since the program is formed in partnership with MIT Sloan School of Management, he knew he was going to gain global business experience and a deeper understanding of China.
Becoming fluent in the language of business in China
The Tsinghua Global MBA has a diverse student demographic, with international students taking courses alongside Chinese students.
While studying in the booming business hub of Beijing—the home of Tsinghua University—Win gained valuable experience that would rocket his career.
“It wasn’t just about the courses,” he says, “working alongside a diverse set of peers, including those with family businesses or entrepreneurs, equipped me with a different way of thinking."
To expand their knowledge even further, Tsinghua MBA collaborates with renowned companies in China and across the world. As part of this collaboration, students have the opportunity to engage in company visits, conduct field research, and participate in Integrative Practical Projects with these industry leaders.
Win worked on an international business project with British Petroleum (BP), guiding the company to market a product launch.
He also gained experience working with a local Chinese tech company, helping him gain an insight into business culture in China.
Tsinghua partners with top companies including Accenture, KPMG, and Microsoft, so there’s plenty of opportunity for students to tailor their learnings to their career goals.
Launching a career as a global TikTok influencer and entrepreneur
Win has co-founded multiple startups over the years. From an escape room business and Soju bar to a motorcycle advertisement tech startup called Karta, he’s always been brimming with new ideas.
Testament to his success, Karta was featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 2018 in the marketing category and later acquired in 2019 by a local conglomerate in Indonesia.
Now through GrowWin, his seventh business venture, it’s the first time he’s founded a company on his own. GrowWin is a short-form video education app for professionals and entrepreneurs.
Win laid the groundwork for the business while leveraging himself as an influencer during the Covid pandemic. He successfully identified a gap in the market on TikTok for savvy business content.
His charisma, ambition, and tenancy has enabled him to amass more than 2.5 million followers across all social media channels including TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube, using his strong brand to market GrowWin.
Win has even published a time management book in Indonesia called Multifocus.
He says that one of the most valuable things he gained from his Tsinghua MBA was the exposure and confidence that it gave him as an entrepreneur.
“Tsinghua is a powerful brand. When I’ve been raising funds from Chinese companies, it immediately garners a significant degree of trust and recognition."
His MBA network is also there to help him along the way. He regularly consults his former classmates based in Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and China when faced with certain challenges.
Not looking to slow down any time soon, Win is investing in various companies across talent management, direct-to-consumer brands, and a digital marketing agency.
“As someone with an engineering background, attending the MBA program at Tsinghua has enhanced my understanding of business in China and beyond,” he says.
