A Closer Look at Business Renaissance Executives: An Interview with Tammy and João Huang-Anacleto

Business Renaissance Quarterly, Fall 2007

Tammy and João are the founders and presidents of College Launch, Inc. They met while at Harvard University, and they live in Pasadena, California.

Tammy holds a B.A. in English literature from UCLA and an Ed.M. in Teaching and Curriculum from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

In 1998 she accepted an English teaching position at Gladstone High School in Covina, CA. She developed a curriculum that provided her students with greater respect for the diversity in our society, and became an AVID college coordinator with an influential role in increasing college bound students.

By 2004, Tammy had started private tutoring and educational consulting to fami lies from local communities, and was volunteering at least 10 hours a week to youth related projects. She soon discovered her calling to advocate quality education for students and parents. College Launch Inc., a college counseling and mentoring company, was born. Tammy now oversees the company operations and programs. More than 600 families have already benefited from the guidance process and the students have successfully attended top universities.

João was born in Toronto, Canada. He began his career as a Construction Manager, earned a B. A. A. from Ryerson Polytechnic University in Canada, and a Masters in Building Energy Management and Engineering from the Instituto Superior Téecnico in Lisbon, Portugal. At Harvard he earned a Masters in Real Estate Finance and Urban Development Policy.

João has earned extensive professional experience in Asia and Europe. Since 1995 he has managed various environmentally sustainable real estate projects. As Project Manager at GLC Enterprises he focuses on the entitlement process of a large new-town master planned community in Southern California, involving extensive economic, social and environmental sustainability. João is co-founder of College Launch, Inc., and serves as adviser for business planning. He also donates part of his time to the "Sunshine Dream for Kids Foundation of Canada", serves on the Board of Directors of the "Old Pasadena Management District" and the 'Economic and Marketing Committee'. He further interviews candidates applying to Harvard University.

BRQ: What makes you a business renaissance executive?

T&J: We go beyond focusing on a team oriented company culture and concentrate on each individual's health, education, community growth and personal development. People have different expectations of what they can provide and receive from College Launch; Therefore, this personalization is an extension of the services we provide our clients to include investors, employees and consultants.

Our industry is 'nurturing' by nature and we are inspired by the results. Everyday we see young adults, parents and community leaders benefit in a special unison as they share talents.

Also, we have been fortunate to have 'business renaissance' mentors who give us great examples and values on a business and personal level. This is a major reason we have been able to aspire to become business renaissance executives. One great advice was for us not to lose sight of our original spirit and personality as we expand our company. Often outside consultants will want to alter the way we run our business for financial gains and as important as revenue growth is, the heart of our ability to stay close with those we serve should not change.

BRQ: How do you think you stand out compared to other business executives?

T&J: If we were to answer the question directly we would have to say that we are a husband and wife team and this commitment has a very big influence on how we 'do the business of relationship building'.

Many businesses within our industry focus on improving young adults' education grades. The lessons of being a committed husband and wife has definite influence on our family oriented company culture.

We are developing a business within a nascent industry. And because each client is so different from another we continuously emphasize research and development and alternative delivery systems. The business models adopted by our competitors seem to operate as if they are producing 'widgets': Student in, essay out. We are able to provide customized solutions that are more considerate of a client's strength or capable of addressing a weakness. Our team is significantly extensive to answer a broad range of issues. This is a pragmatic way of maintaining the practice of our values.

We have intricately weaved together one another's professional passions. This has provided a better understanding of what satisfies one another's economic, social and cultural curiosities and a better understanding of core values.

BRQ: What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?

T&J: Managing the emotional support required to run a business is often neglected as a priority. Therefore, and when the relationship involves both husband and wife, it requires ever-more special consideration.

In thinking about the basics of this question, the 'greatest achievement' is that at the end of the day we are also home together.