4 min read

John Achkar is now headlining sold-out shows across continents while delivering masterclasses at a top European business school. And that chapter started with the International MBA.

Known for his witty, observational comedy and viral videos in mostly Arabic and English, John built a devoted following across the Middle East and beyond. But behind the punchlines is a sharp entrepreneur who knows how to move around the comedy business with a lasting, scalable brand.

How business education elevated his creative career 

John joined IE Business School to fill the gaps he perceived in his strategic and management skills, and to understand how to achieve global market expansion in the comedy business.

“The most important thing for me during my time at IE Business School was creating a mindset of openness for uncertainty. And stand-up is a lot about dealing with uncertainty.” The International MBA was key in this new mindset. The program’s customizable structure allowed John to tailor his experience, mixing traditional business pillars with entrepreneurship, marketing and digital transformation—skills he now uses to negotiate brand deals, scale content production and expand his touring circuits.

Why IE Business School was the perfect first stage

For John, IE Business School’s international community was an incredible added value of his MBA. In fact, the opportunity to learn from classmates from all over the world with different perspectives was a catalyst in his comedy.

“I think we need a business mindset in everything we do.”

This diversity challenged him to reimagine his creative work for global audiences and opened up opportunities far beyond the Middle East. His worldwide tour sees him, of course, in Lebanon, but also in Dubai, Australia and France. Inspired by his connections, challenges and learnings, John has been impacted and shaped by his IE Experience.

What creatives can learn from an MBA

You don’t need to wear a suit to work to benefit from an MBA—and John is living proof.

“In art, we think that it’s only about the creative mindset. But even artists need to do deals with corporate people and understand how to have a P&L or how to have a balance sheet. This is something that has shaped the way I am, and something that I learned at IE Business School.”

“The most important thing for me during my time at IE Business School was creating a mindset of openness for uncertainty. And stand-up is a lot about dealing with uncertainty.”

Studying the MBA helped John craft and protect his art by giving him the tools to grow it sustainably. For professionals in media, entertainment, design or any other non-traditional field, business education offers a competitive edge. It gives fluency in contracts, marketing, data and finance, as well as the confidence to say “no” to deals that just don’t work for them, or to scale projects on their own terms.

John was able to align his passion with his skills, thanks to his learnings in the International MBA. And that has been key in his success as a comic on the world stage.

Returning to IE Business School to explain the comedy business

After years touring on the stand-up stage, John recently revisited the places that shaped him, including IE Business School. In his visit to IE Tower, John hosted an exclusive masterclass, sharing the insights he has learned from blending his art with entrepreneurship.

John unpacked everything from ongoing learning to building an audience with purpose, and he did it in his own witty way.

“For me, stand-up is about how you market. You create your own story. It’s about why you’re doing what you are doing. And the why of my comedy is that I believe that comedy can create political and social change. So anything I want to create moves in that direction.”

John brought his insights to current students looking to make their own mark. He was sure to tell his masterclass attendees that big consultancy firms and big corporations are not the only way to make it in life. “We are all overexposed to think that this is the only way to make it. I was overwhelmed by this, but now I see the world as a better place.”

He left IE Tower having inspired aspiring leaders, not just with his humor, but with the clarity and intentionality behind his personal career journey.

Defining success

John is a living case study in breaking the mold. He’s proven that the path to success doesn’t need to follow a straight line—and that an MBA can be a launchpad for those daring enough to reimagine their potential.

If you’re a creative looking for more control, more growth and more impact, business education might be the best plot twist you ever write.