Mel Faxon (London Business School, Class of 2019) is a clear example of an LBS-fit narrative: international curiosity, career breadth across cities and functions, and entrepreneurship developed in parallel with the MBA. This story highlights what the "international LBS experience" looked like in practice—diverse cohort exposure and global project work—and how Mel translated that momentum into entrepreneurial execution, including launching a financial planning tool for new parents. We also extract what applicants can copy: how to make your "why LBS" specific, how to turn global exposure into proof points, and how to keep your admissions timeline moving.
Program: London Business School • Class: 2019 • GMAT Score: 690. Mel grew up in Rhode Island and in 2007 pursued her undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia. She later worked across multiple cities—NYC, Barcelona, and Denver—building experience across roles and industries before deciding she wanted a more international platform for her next step.
Whether it be travelling to Barcelona to start a new job, heading off to London to pursue her MBA, or following her entrepreneurial dreams to bring gender equity to the workplace, Mel Faxon is always on the move.
After graduation, Mel was able to work in numerous cities, including NYC, Barcelona, and Denver, gaining experience in everything from real estate strategy to working as a travel specialist and even as an admissions officer. Ultimately, Mel wanted a more international experience that would allow her to reach her full potential.
For applicants, this is a useful pre-MBA pattern: breadth becomes an advantage when you can explain the through-line—what you learned across roles, and why the MBA is the right accelerator now.
Mel was attracted to the international aspect of London Business School. Her previous work in Barcelona and France gave her a taste of international life. She knew that she wanted to pursue her MBA abroad and was excited to challenge herself.
In admissions terms, this becomes stronger when you translate "international" into specifics: the kind of peer group you want, the markets you want exposure to, and how you plan to use the LBS ecosystem while you are there.
Mel was attracted to the international aspect of London Business School.
"International" is not a differentiator by itself—many programs claim it. It becomes persuasive when you show how it changes your execution: the perspectives you need, the markets you want to test, and the network you plan to build intentionally.
If you're writing LBS essays, this is the bar: connect your prior international exposure to a specific next step that only makes sense in the LBS context.
Mel knew she made the right choice when she began studying at LBS. She graduated in a class of 430 people, representing over 60 countries. Only 8% of the students were from the UK. Mel cherished the diversity of LBS, and felt that her learning was augmented because she was exposed to many different perspectives.
LBS gave her the true global experience that she desired. One of the highlights of her MBA career occurred during her second year, where she was able to travel to Johannesburg, South Africa for a week. Her time in South Africa was formative and enriching and Mel spent her time acting as a consultant for a local entrepreneur.
Mel's ambitions didn't just stop inside the classroom. On top of her already demanding role as an MBA student, Mel also had projects of her own that she was excited to launch. Mel began launching her first business concept while studying at LBS: a CBD company featuring products aimed at improving sleep wellness.
As Mel grew her business, she made discoveries that shifted her focus from consumer products and uncovered a new foundation for her current venture. The more she learned about women's health, the gender pay gap, and the struggles that mothers face in the professional world, the more passionate she became.
After these discoveries, Mel began Mirza, a financial planning tool for new parents. Her goal: to keep women in the workplace. Mirza is a tool to "guide the modern parent," helping people understand the costs and employment impacts of starting a family.
From an admissions perspective, this is a strong pattern: a credible problem, lived insight, and a practical product direction—anchored in a broader mission that's specific rather than generic.
The strongest entrepreneurship narratives don't start with "I want to found something." They start with a problem you can explain with clarity, a reason you're the right person to tackle it, and a plan for how the MBA ecosystem helps you execute faster.
Mel's story works because the mission stays consistent even as the concept evolves: building tools that reduce career penalties and improve outcomes for parents—especially women—returning to the workplace.
In a world where the modern woman is often forced to choose between motherhood and career acceleration, Mel is fighting to give women the power to have both.
We'll clarify your goals, sharpen your "why LBS," and turn your experiences into a coherent, evidence-based application strategy—without timeline drift.