Travis Bruffy, London Business School’s MBA Class of 2026
Age: 26
Hometown: Missouri City, Texas, USA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Texas Tech University – Finance + Accounting (Double Major)
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Former Professional Football Player – Green Bay Packers (NFL) c/o 2020. Principal, Ligo Partners- Single Family Office, 4 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I have always had the necessary self-confidence of an entrepreneur but was rooted in enough pragmatism to convince myself I just wasn’t ready to adopt that personality trait. My arsenal lacked the hard skills needed to launch and scale any sort of idea, and I knew a visit back to academia was necessary to address those shortcomings. An LBS MBA will not only equip me with an unmatched skillset, but also boasts the necessary reputability that is vital when establishing credibility on the fundraising circuit. I could not put off addressing this burning desire to innovate any longer, and the LBS MBA program has not only welcomed this personality into the course, but optimized it every second I’ve been on campus.
Why did you choose LBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
There is much room for debate around the merit of each business school’s curriculum, employment reports and/or research, but one attribute, core to LBS’s heart, is proudly championed as it’s truly unmatched offering. LBS is the World’s business school. No program has the global reach, nor multinational impact that this business school drives. After having let my Texas hometown several years ago, LBS was the only natural option to aid in my pursuit of global impact.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
I believe that innovation is a core obligation each generation of humanity must pursue. This ethos shapes not just my desired career path, but my personality in the classroom, as I consistently aim to push boundaries, even when the boundaries seem too far to reach. I will challenge my classmates not to limit their curiosity nor the expectations they have of themselves.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
My mom and I are both religious fans of stand-up comedy. Since moving to London in 2021, I’ve become a regular patron at the legendary Comedy Store in Leister Square. During my mother’s visit last fall, I had the privilege of taking her to one of the shows there. As is typical for the venue, the show was incredible, and I had never heard my mom laugh the way she did. It was not until the taxi ride home that I realized she had hardly understood any of what the acts were saying due to their “funny accents.”
Post-MBA career interests:
I have always had a strong entrepreneurial bug inside of me. During my time covering venture investments for the Ligo Partners Family Office, this feeling was only intensified throughout the many startup pitch calls I sat through. Listening to these founders gamble on themselves in the pursuit of industry transformation is nothing short of admirable and made me realize the obligation I have to myself to one day dedicate my career to this same mission. At present, I imagine the company I’d start to be somewhere within the broader field of logistics technology. As the world’s supply chains are increasing in their complexity, and recent events have exposed their true vulnerability, I believe there is an opportunity to innovate within the antiquated industry of maritime transportation.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Connect with past mentors to informally catch up. When I spoke with the author of my letter of recommendation prior to asking him to write anything, it reminded me why I was even asking that person in the first place.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would worry less about trying to position myself as someone I thought the Admissions team wanted to see. Being myself was not only what got me admitted but is the foundation for the academic and social success I’ve had thus far.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
If I could’ve skipped the GMAT, I would’ve. It never gets easier, and the more you study, the more your own intuition dulls. However, the sheer act of studying something that rigorous again got me into a good mindset of embracing challenge. This shaped the mindset I’ve had here up until this point.
What is your initial impression of the LBS students/culture/community?
Everyone wants to change the world, just by different means, with the only variance being how drastically they believe they can make an impact themselves.
What is one thing you have learned about LBS that has surprised you?
The qualifications of the entire faculty. It is not just the professors who claim achievements from high academia. Every auxiliary student resource group is led by someone with a resumé of the highest standing. The entire LBS brand screams excellence, making their expectation of the same standard easily comprehended.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
As a former athlete, I’ve never been a full-time student, thus I do not know how to be one. I am unsure how involved I can get in student clubs and still uphold my own academic expectations. I have always had any extracurricular schedules outside of sport written for me. I am worried I will either over-commit or under-commit to the social aspect of the program, each leading to its own variety of consequences.
What is one thing you are most excited about in the first year of your London Business School experience?
I am excited to throw myself in at the deep end amongst some of the most talented minds of my generation and see how I measure up. I want to be challenged on all my ideas and collect feedback from these global leaders.
