Justin Simpkins
Wake Forest University School of Business
“I’m either cracking jokes or cracking the code to life—no in-between.”
Fun fact about yourself: I played Flat Stanley in the ‘Amazing Adventures of Flat Stanley’ sixth grade school play.
Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina
High School: Fred T Foard High School
Major: Business Enterprise Management – Sports Business Concentration
Minor: N/A
Favorite Business Course: Sports Marketing
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
1) Wake Forest Football (ACC-Academic All-American 2021)
2) Former Co-Founder of The Be Great Agency,
3) Chair of the Undergraduate Business Student Council
Where have you interned during your college career?
1) Vquip Solutions (Risk Management-Boat Rental Insurance) – Charlotte, North Carolina
2) SportInspired (National Charity) – United Kingdom
3) The Soccer Tournament – Cary, North Carolina
4) Genesco Sports Enterprises – Charlotte, North Carolina
Where will you be working after graduation? General Mills, Business Management Associate- Foodservice Division
Who is your favorite business professor? Bill Marcum is my favorite business professor. His dedication to his students and passion for the subject are undeniable. He genuinely cares about our success, but he also challenges us to push beyond our perceived limits. His ability to inspire growth and resilience has left a lasting impact on me.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that business is fundamentally about relationships. While skills and qualifications are important, opportunities often go to those who have built meaningful connections. It’s not just about what you know, but also who you know.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Stay curious and open-minded. Business is an ever-evolving field, and having a broad knowledge base can make you a valuable asset in a variety of situations. Embrace learning across different disciplines, as versatility is a key advantage.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? If I could do one thing differently, I would have made a greater effort to build relationships with my classmates earlier on. This year, I made a conscious decision to step out of my comfort zone and engage more with my peers. As a result, I’ve built incredible connections that I may have missed out on otherwise.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? One way the business school has integrated AI into our programming is by incorporating it into the syllabus and allowing students to use AI as a resource for deeper learning and research. Whether through AI-powered research tools, business case analysis, or coursework assistance, students are encouraged to leverage AI to enhance their understanding of complex concepts and industry trends.
One key insight I’ve gained from using AI is how it can streamline problem-solving by providing quick access to relevant information and generating new perspectives. However, I’ve also learned the importance of critically evaluating AI-generated insights to ensure accuracy and relevance in real-world business applications.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? One of my proudest achievements is co-founding Be Great Agency, a sports marketing firm dedicated to helping college athletes capitalize on their name, image, and likeness. This experience allowed me to merge my passion for business and sports while making a tangible impact in the industry.
Which classmate do you most admire? Zachary Fenster—Zach is an incredibly hard-working student and an even better friend. He puts immense effort into his studies and is relentless in his pursuit of academic and professional success. Beyond that, he actively cultivates relationships with a diverse range of people while remaining one of the most genuine and kind-hearted individuals I’ve ever met. I truly admire his work ethic, character, and ability to uplift those around him.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? Without question, I would most want to thank my dad. He has been my greatest mentor, always working with me to plan my next steps and guiding me through life’s challenges. His unwavering support and encouragement have pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without him. He is my role model, my biggest supporter, and my hero.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
- Become the Chief Marketing Officer for automotive/racing firm
- Found a Sports Media Consulting Firm
What made Justin such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025? (Please include name and title)
“I had the opportunity to work with Justin in our Principles of Marketing course here in the School of Business at Wake Forest. Justin applied — consistently — his business acumen to rigorous case analyses in which he and his team took part in the course. Justin is a leader in the School. Through his unwavering dedication and his relentless pursuit of excellence, he has set an inspiring example of leadership in both the School of Business and as the leader of our Undergraduate Business Student Council. Justin’s ability to unite diverse perspectives, to empower others, and to navigate challenges has left an indelible mark on our School. He has the values of integrity and collaboration that are core to our School’s mission, and he is driven by serving his peers.”
Kenny Herbst
Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program
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