Daniel Dower (EMBA '11)

The Man of Many Hats

Daniel Dower (Executive MBA, 2011) juggled being a full-time CFO, a father of 7 (including newborn triplets), managing an investment portfolio to finance his degree without tapping into savings and recently graduated, with honors, with his MBA from SMU Cox.

How you were able to finance your degree?

Beginning in April 2008, I began to make investments in the stock market following conservative value-based principles I had used in real estate.  Knowing the tuition was due over several installments, I dove headlong into investment research to earn the tuition rather than using up most of my savings.

How has the past 21 months changed your home life?

Our family has grown much closer over the past few years, coming together to deal with various challenges.  As the challenges mounted, I became more driven to succeed, as I saw this as a golden opportunity to teach my children that nothing should ever dissuade them from their dreams.  Each of our family members have made countless sacrifices, but we’ve also had experiences you read about in fairy tales.

How did you manage taking care of the triplets on top of everything else?

Some days, I would work 4 am to 10 am, others 10 am to 4 pm.  Thankfully, I am a partner at a small business where I’ve accrued enough political capital to be due some time off.  My wife did all the hard work; she’s inspiring.  Now, we change about 50 diapers a day and don’t sleep much.

What is the major lesson you learned throughout the Cox EMBA Program?

In addition to getting new insights about myself, other businesses, and my family, if I had to narrow it down to one lesson it would be that it’s never too late; learning is definitely a life-long process.

What study techniques did you use to be able to obtain Beta Gamma Sigma?

Without question, my study group was the key to my success.  We taught each other, and whether I was the teacher or student, I learned the material much better than I could have ever done alone.

Would you do it all over again?

Absolutely!  In the past two years: I’ve been CFO for a successful real estate company through the worst downturn in 50 years; I completed the Cox EMBA Program with honors; I passed the Level I CFA Exam; our family grew from four children to seven; I went on business trips to Chile and China; I managed my own public investments to earn 18% annually and pay for my tuition; and I made numerous new friendships.   I recommend the Cox EMBA Program and think it may be a catalyst for many more great things.