Thomas Hines IV 麻豆精品 S�23MBA and Alfredo Dooley-Hernandez听 麻豆精品 S�23惭叠础 didn 麻豆精品 S檛 set out to start a business when they enrolled in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 executive master 麻豆精品 S檚 in business administration (EMBA) program, but that 麻豆精品 S檚 exactly what happened.
What began as a shared desire to grow as leaders and elevate their careers evolved into something much bigger 麻豆精品 S� FDTH Imports, a company dedicated to bringing ethical, sustainable products to the U.S. market. Their venture is a testament to the power of connection, global perspective and the real-world impact of a UCF education.
From the EMBA Program to the Market
Before joining the EMBA program at UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Business, Hines and Dooley-Hernandez had already built successful careers in their respective fields. Hines, now assistant vice president of claims strategy and innovation at Zurich North America, began as a firefighter and EMT before transitioning to the insurance industry in 2012. Dooley-Hernandez, a senior portfolio accountant at Second Avenue LLC, had built his career in finance and accounting with a keen eye for strategic growth.
Though their paths were different, both recognized that stepping into the next chapter of leadership meant deepening their knowledge and broadening their perspectives. The UCF EMBA offered exactly what they needed 麻豆精品 S� an education designed for seasoned professionals ready to lead change.
麻豆精品 S淭he program didn 麻豆精品 S檛 just challenge us academically 麻豆精品 S� it made us think bigger, 麻豆精品 S� Hines says. 麻豆精品 S淚t gave us the space to reflect on the kind of leaders we wanted to be. 麻豆精品 S�
A Business Idea in Prague
The spark for FDTH Imports came during the EMBA 麻豆精品 S檚 global business experience, an international residency in Prague. While visiting Steiner & Kovarik, a chocolatier known for its ethically sourced, sustainably produced chocolate, something clicked.
Dooley-Hernandez says he and Hines listened intently and really resonated with the quality.
麻豆精品 S淚 leaned over to Thomas, 麻豆精品 S� Dooley-Hernandez says, 麻豆精品 S渁nd said, 麻豆精品 S業 think there 麻豆精品 S檚 a business opportunity here. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S�
And just like that, the idea took root. Back in the U.S., they launched FDTH Imports with a mission: to connect American consumers with sustainably produced, ethically sourced products from around the world 麻豆精品 S� starting with chocolate.
Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship
More than just a business venture, FDTH Imports is a vehicle for social good. The company exclusively partners with producers who prioritize fair labor, environmental stewardship and transparency across their supply chains. Through their partnership with Steiner & Kovarik, they learned about the darker realities of the chocolate industry 麻豆精品 S� child labor, deforestation and lack of regulation.
麻豆精品 S淚 knew that that’s where it sunk in for me that this is more than just a business opportunity, 麻豆精品 S� Hines says. 麻豆精品 S淭his is a chance to do the right thing, by helping others who are doing the right thing. 麻豆精品 S�
Steiner & Kovarik 麻豆精品 S檚 chocolate is sourced from family farms in Latin America, where production standards are stricter and sustainability is a core value. That kind of commitment aligns perfectly with the values Hines and Dooley-Hernandez brought into the EMBA program 麻豆精品 S� and the ones they sharpened through it.
麻豆精品 S淥ur mission is simple: conscious imports for a better world, 麻豆精品 S� Hines says. That mission statement is at the heart of everything Dooley-Hernandez and Hines do.
Lessons in Leadership
Launching a startup while balancing demanding careers and a rigorous graduate program wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 easy. But the lessons learned in the EMBA classroom paid off immediately.
麻豆精品 S淚 think within the EMBA, there’s a ‘fail fast’ mentality, 麻豆精品 S� Dooley-Hernandez says. 麻豆精品 S淟et me give this a try. If I’m not good at it, raise my hand, ask a professor, try and get some help. 麻豆精品 S�
More importantly, they leaned on each other 麻豆精品 S� and their cohort.
麻豆精品 S淧ut the work in and make sure you establish good relationships with your cohort, 麻豆精品 S� Dooley-Hernandez says. 麻豆精品 S淎nd remember, that it is not a competition. You guys are not competing with each other. You guys are literally there to help each other. It’s a symbiotic relationship, so approach it that way. 麻豆精品 S�
The Future of FDTH Imports
With FDTH Imports gaining momentum, Hines and Dooley-Hernandez have their sights set on growth. They 麻豆精品 S檙e exploring additional products and envision expanding into a multifaceted marketing and distribution company.
Their recent pitch at the Rhode Island Go Global Awards earned them recognition for innovation 麻豆精品 S� a moment that confirmed they were on the right path.
麻豆精品 S淲e have the luxury of being able to make sure we do things the right way at every step, 麻豆精品 S� Hines says. 麻豆精品 S淛ust like Petr and Silvie [co-owners of Steiner & Kovarik] did and just like all of those other business owners when they carefully crafted their supply chains to make sure that no one is suffering and making their products. 麻豆精品 S�
Words of Wisdom for Future Knights
For aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders, both alumni have the same advice: Don 麻豆精品 S檛 wait.
麻豆精品 S淢y advice would be: Don’t think about it, just do it, 麻豆精品 S� Dooley-Hernandez says. 麻豆精品 S淎 lot of the things that you don’t think are necessary, or you don’t understand, are actually very usable skills. 麻豆精品 S�
麻豆精品 S淛ump in and do it. You won’t regret it, 麻豆精品 S� Hines adds. 麻豆精品 S淒o your best. And remember, you’re not competing with everyone else in the room. You’re only competing with yourself. 麻豆精品 S�
From EMBA classmates to co-founders, Hines and Dooley-Hernandez are proving that business can be a force for good 麻豆精品 S� and that with the right program, a clear mission and a lot of heart, Knights can lead the way in creating a more just, sustainable world.
