Silicon Valley Company-Builder Gains Traction On The French Riviera

The EDHEC Global MBA has helped Stephanie Brooks with the vision, network, and global perspective to leverage her experience scaling Silicon Valley startups for entrepreneurial success on the French Riviera.

In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, the key to success often boils down to knowing how to build something great from the ground up. That’s exactly what EDHEC Business School Global MBA alumna Stephanie Brooks has done time and time again, with a career spent stepping into early roles (often as employee number one or two) to help companies grow and succeed. 

Stephanie, who cut her teeth building and scaling companies on the US West Coast, exemplifies how EDHEC Business School’s Global MBA programme can be a transformative stepping stone toward entrepreneurial growth and international success.

A Proven Track Record in Recruitment Leaders

Stephanie’s career began on the West Coast of the United States, where she spent over 15 years in the recruitment industry. Her niche— in agency recruitment, where her roles were deeply rooted in operations and sales—meant that when she moved across the Atlantic, her background in “recruitment” became a misnomer.  

“In Europe, a lot of times people are like, ‘Oh, you’ve done HR, you did HR.’ I’ve never actually been in a human resources position,” she explains. 

“I was always in an operational, in a lead sales role within the recruitment agency side. We were more of a headhunting firm.”

Her career trajectory skyrocketed when she became the first employee in a foreign firm’s U.S. operations. “I started up three offices from scratch, built go-to-market strategies, developed sales teams, and established a client base,” she says. 

“I spent 12 years helping Silicon Valley startups grow from two employees to IPO.”

 This intensive role, which lasted from 2016 to 2023, culminated in Stephanie becoming the only female partner in her firm, reporting directly to the CEO.

As 70-hour weeks rolled into more 70-hour weeks, however, the trappings of success could only keep her motivated for so long. 

“To be totally honest, I was pretty burnt out,” Stephanie admits. 

In addition to the mammoth workload, she was coming to grips with the realisation that all her entrepreneurial hard work was going towards building someone else’s dream. 

“I spent seven years building someone else’s company,” she says, “so I wanted to create something of my own.”

Why EDHEC? A Natural Fit for Personal and Professional Growth

Stephanie’s journey to EDHEC wasn’t entirely serendipitous. Having spent an exchange semester at EDHEC in Lille during her undergraduate years at Santa Clara University in California, the school already held a special place in her heart. “I kept an eye on EDHEC after that, and when the possibility of pursuing a Global MBA came up, the school felt familiar,” she recalls.

The programme’s structure and affordability also made it stand out. 

“I had no interest in pursuing further education in the US. I didn’t want to spend $200K going to Stanford or Cal,” she explains. “EDHEC stood out to me because it was a ten-month, international programme—fast-paced, intense, and with a global component that attracted me.”

The move to Europe wasn’t just about the Global MBA. 

“The lifestyle in Europe was compelling,” Stephanie shares about the change of pace. “It shifted from being about travel to a lifestyle decision.”

Turning Experience into Entrepreneurship

With her extensive background in building businesses for others, Stephanie knew that when it came to creating something for herself, the entrepreneurship track in EDHEC’s Global MBA offered a ready-made launchpad.

“The entrepreneurship programmeme taught me how to turn an idea into a scalable product, market it, and finance it. Even though it was hypothetical, it had real-life applications,” Stephanie explains. 

“I realised the value my experience could bring to the market.”

Today, she’s using that knowledge to help French companies expand into the U.S. market. “Many French companies struggle when expanding to the US market. They often send someone who doesn’t understand the cultural and legal differences, and it fails,” she says. 

To help address this gap, she established a U.S.-based LLC, advising French clients on scaling their businesses. 

“I’m advising French clients on scaling their businesses, including one biotech company planning to grow from 40 to 300 employees in two years.”

The Power of the EDHEC Network

The connections Stephanie made through EDHEC have been pivotal in her entrepreneurial journey. “The EDHEC alumni network has been incredible,” she notes. “Professors in the entrepreneurship track were not just academics—they were CEOs and founders, providing real-world insight. I’ve built lasting relationships with them.”

This network has also helped her navigate the sometimes indirect world of networking in France. “Even in France, where networking can be less direct, reaching out with my EDHEC credentials has opened doors,” she shares. “The network has also helped me connect with founders and executives.”

A Global Perspective That Redefines Leadership

One of the key takeaways from the Global MBA was exposure to a variety of cultures, industries, and leadership styles. 

“The MBA gave me exposure to diverse cultures and industries. It taught me how to navigate challenges and communicate effectively in a global context,” Stephanie reflects. 

“Leadership in a global environment is vastly different. Working with people from diverse industries and cultural backgrounds gave me insights I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

The programme also offered a refreshing change of pace from her previous work environment. “It was refreshing to learn from professionals in manufacturing, e-commerce, and recruitment, who offered perspectives completely different from mine,” she says.

Building a Bridge Between Two Worlds

Stephanie’s ability to adapt her California background to the European market has been another key to her success. “I’ve spent years helping Silicon Valley startups grow, and that experience is valuable here in France,” she explains. Now, she’s channeling that expertise to help French companies navigate the complexities of scaling in the U.S. market.

“The MBA helped me gain confidence in adapting my California background to a European context,” she says. This fusion of experiences has positioned her as a unique asset in bridging the gap between two very different business ecosystems.

A Transformative Journey

Stephanie’s journey from a high-powered recruitment executive in California to a budding entrepreneur in France demonstrates the transformative power of EDHEC’s Global MBA. For professionals like her, the programme offers a unique blend of personal development, international exposure, and entrepreneurial expertise. Armed with new knowledge, a supportive network, and a drive to grow, Stephanie’s journey shows that EDHEC’s Global MBA is more than just a degree. 

“I wasn’t initially set on getting more education, but when I spoke to the folks at EDHEC, like [recruitment manager] Nikki Harle, and learned how the programmeme could be a transformative change for my career, I was sold.”