Aris Singleton
Michigan State University, Eli Broad College of Business
Age: 32
“Ambitious, focused woman building success through discipline, vision, continuous learning, and bold leadership.”
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Family Members: Bentley (dog-Schnoodle), Mom (Dr. Piper Farrell-Singleton), Dad (Anthony Singleton), 3 siblings (Anthony, Kennedy, William Singleton)
Fun fact about yourself: I’m learning how to fly a Cessna 172.
Undergraduate School and Degree:
Texas Southern University, Finance
Houston Community College, Associate of Arts (Business)
Where are you currently working? Thank God It’s Natural (tgin), Chief Executive Officer
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:
– Black Enterprise, 40 Under 40 Award
– Ladies of Virtue, Leading with Virtue Award
– tgin Foundation (breast cancer foundation), Assistant Director
– YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization)
– Chicago Defender, Women of Excellence Award
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? The academic achievement I’m most proud is completing my EMBA at Michigan State.
I began the program in Fall 2021 while working as a Finance and Human Resources Manager at the organization I now own. At the time, I was navigating what my next chapter would look like, but I knew one thing for certain—I wanted to earn my MBA, and it was important to me to do so at Michigan State.
Just a few months into the program, my life changed significantly. My aunt, who was also the founder of the organization I now lead, passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. I was named CEO, stepping into a leadership role while also processing a profound personal loss. At the same time, I was living in Chicago and commuting for school, doing my best to stay committed to both responsibilities.
Less than six months later, I experienced another devastating loss when my younger brother passed away. Balancing grief, leading a growing business, and continuing in the EMBA program became overwhelming. In May 2022, I made the difficult but necessary decision to step away from the program to focus on my well-being and the organization.
Even in that moment, I made a promise to myself that I would return and finish what I started.
In May 2025, I honored that commitment and re-entered the program with renewed clarity and purpose. Completing my EMBA is more than an academic milestone—it represents resilience, discipline, and my ability to lead through adversity. I’m incredibly proud of not just finishing the program, but of the strength it took to come back and see it through.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The achievement I’m most proud of in my career is leading the international expansion of my brand, tgin (Thank God It’s Natural).
In 2024, after more than two years of research, regulatory navigation, and product certification to meet European and UK standards, I successfully launched the brand overseas. This expansion required rethinking our approach—from compliance and supply chain to positioning and consumer engagement—given the distinct preferences and behaviors of international customers.
In 2025, we secured placement in Boots, one of the top retailers in the UK, significantly increasing our brand visibility on a global scale. Within our first year of international expansion, we drove a 12% increase in annual revenue.
What makes this accomplishment especially meaningful is the level of complexity behind it. Entering a new market required both strategic foresight and disciplined execution. I had to lead cross-functional alignment, navigate unfamiliar regulatory environments, and adapt our marketing strategy to resonate with a different consumer base.
This experience reflects how I lead—by identifying growth opportunities, taking calculated risks, and executing with focus and accountability. It also reinforced my ability to scale a brand beyond domestic success and position it competitively on a global stage.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite MBA professor was Dr. Dante Pirouz, who taught Marketing. What set her apart was her ability to seamlessly bridge theory and practice in a way that felt immediately relevant and applicable. What set her apart was her ability to translate marketing theory into real-world application, showing how concepts like consumer behavior, brand positioning, and integrated campaigns directly drive business results.
Beyond the classroom, what truly made her impact lasting was her continued support. After I stepped away from the program in 2022, she remained a source of encouragement and guidance as I navigated both personal challenges and professional growth. That level of investment extended far beyond her role as a professor, and it’s something I deeply value and do not take for granted.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose Michigan State’s Executive MBA program because it represents both a personal and professional full-circle moment for me.
I began my undergraduate journey at Michigan State in 2011 in the James Madison College. At the time, I wasn’t as focused as I needed to be, and my mother and I made the decision for me to step away after my freshman year to regroup and mature. I later moved to Texas and completed my undergraduate degree at Texas Southern University, but Michigan State always remained my dream school.
I made a promise to myself that if I ever pursued a graduate degree, it would be at Michigan State. Beyond that personal commitment, the strength of the Executive MBA program itself made the decision even clearer. The program’s rigor, leadership focus, and practical application aligned perfectly with where I was in my career and the kind of leader I was continuing to grow into.
Choosing MSU was not just about earning a degree—it was about honoring a long-standing goal, investing in myself, and completing a journey I once had to pause. I’m incredibly grateful I had the opportunity to return and finish what I started at a place that has always meant so much to me.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? The biggest lesson I gained during my MBA was learning how to think in systems instead of silos. Early in my career, I approached challenges functionally—marketing, operations, finance—separately. The MBA forced me to see how every decision creates ripple effects across the organization.
I applied this directly at work when making strategic decisions. For example, instead of launching a new initiative purely from a growth perspective, I now evaluate operational capacity, financial impact, and team bandwidth simultaneously. That shift has led to more sustainable decisions and fewer unintended consequences.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? There was a period during my program when everything hit at once. I had a board presentation at work, a group project and individual assignment due, and I was preparing to travel for a critical trade show where I would meet with international distributors I only see once or twice a year.
In that moment, I realized balance isn’t about doing everything equally: it’s about prioritization and communication. I had to be extremely disciplined with my time, block my schedule carefully, and stay aligned with my team and classmates.
What got me through wasn’t perfection—it was structure, resilience, and a strong support system. That experience reinforced my ability to lead under pressure while managing multiple high-stakes priorities at once.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Be clear on your “why” before you start. An Executive MBA is a significant commitment (financially, mentally, and emotionally), so you need a strong foundation to carry you through.
When I first entered the program, I was somewhat uncertain about my career path and didn’t have a clear vision for my next step. While things ultimately worked out for me, I wouldn’t recommend approaching the experience without direction.
Take the time to define your purpose. Write down your one, three, and five-year goals, and be honest about how an EMBA fits into that vision. When your “why” is clear and aligned with your long-term goals, you’ll be better equipped to stay focused, make the most of the experience, and fully commit to the journey.
What was your biggest regret in business school? My biggest regret in business school was not building stronger relationships with my classmates earlier in the program.
I was very focused on attending class, completing my work, and commuting back home to Chicago, which limited how much I engaged outside of academics. As a result, I didn’t take full advantage of the network and community around me in real time.
It wasn’t until our global residency toward the end of the program that I truly connected with my classmates. That experience was incredibly meaningful, and it showed me the value of those relationships beyond the classroom. I only wish I had prioritized that connection sooner. That said, it’s a lesson I’m carrying forward. I’m intentional now about maintaining those relationships and continuing to build on them even after the program.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? My business school integrated AI through coursework and practical applications like data analysis, strategy development, and simulations.
At first, I was hesitant. I avoided using AI and even restricted it at work. But through the program, my perspective shifted. I realized AI enhances, not replaces, executive judgment. It can accelerate insights but still requires human context and strategic thinking.
My biggest takeaway is that leaders who ask better questions will get the most value from AI. It’s here to stay and learning how to use it effectively is essential.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I chose an Executive MBA because of the immersive experience, the peer group, and the accelerated format. Being in a room with experienced professionals across industries created a level of dialogue and challenge that I knew I wouldn’t get in a traditional or online program.
I also valued the structure. The format allowed me to dedicate focused time to learning rather than stretching it over several years. The Flex EMBA program at Michigan State gave me the ability to balance being a working professional while still staying fully engaged as a student.
I’ll also be honest—online learning isn’t where I perform best. I knew I needed an environment that would push me, keep me accountable, and allow me to fully show up.
How did you finance your EMBA and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable? When I first started the program, I financed my EMBA through student loans. At the time, I was investing in myself without fully knowing how my career path would evolve.
After I became CEO, the organization stepped in and covered the remainder of my program, which significantly reduced my financial burden.
Overall, I approached the decision as a long-term investment. Beyond the financial cost, I considered the return in terms of leadership development, expanded network, and future opportunities. That perspective made the investment worthwhile and allowed me to stay focused on the bigger picture.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term goal is to build and scale organizations that create both economic value and meaningful impact. I’m especially focused on leading at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and community. As I continue to grow, I plan to expand into new ventures, particularly in skincare, which I’m deeply passionate about. I also want to launch a mentorship program to support aspiring entrepreneurs, giving back and pouring into others by helping them navigate challenges and avoid some of the obstacles I faced early on.
Ultimately, I want to be in positions where I can shape vision, develop leaders, and drive sustainable change at scale while creating opportunities for others along the way.
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