Innovation is about trusting the creative process and allowing things to evolve.
But after discovering a novel way to solve a problem or develop a new tool comes the
execution—and that requires a plan. We explore the synergy of idea development, goal
setting and strategizing that results in a final product as well as approaches to
managing those processes along with a broader organizational vision.
One entrepreneur who recognized the need to pair her innovative vision with formal business strategy is Claire Cianos.
She is the co-founder of Napp, an app designed to help families find on-demand childcare. She was looking for an opportunity that fit her entrepreneurial spirit after earning her bachelor’s degree and the app became a way to link her expertise and passion. Navigating Napp’s growth, she enrolled in UBalt’s MBA program and found academic support she could pour into her business strategy. The overall experience, which included time as a peer tutor and a global field study course in Switzerland, inspired her to pursue a doctorate focusing on the psychology of business.
To scale my startup, I knew I needed some more formal experience and education. Upon starting my journey at The University of Baltimore, I was quickly introduced to many different professors who helped shape my experience. Specifically, the leadership and finance classes were very beneficial for me. With what I learned, I was able to go back and rework our model in ways that helped us to earn more money and have better potential.
