Business Ownership on CV/Personal Statement

[ThePursuit]

Hello, I'm an MS3 looking for some advice. I started and now own/operate a small business (service industry) that's moderately successful (a couple employees and projected to be making around $75k+/yr by the time I graduate). I feel like this is unique and demonstrates a certain level of character/ingenuity. Over the last two years, it's taken a good deal of effort beyond the normal duties of medical school to learn about and create a business and then ensure profitability as well.

I've been told by some people that this is not really relevant on a CV or personal statement. I'm hoping others out there have some opinion on the matter. Since this is not the next Microsoft or Facebok we're talking about, is it a great bonus point for me that I should focus on, is it a neutral event or a detractor (non-medical business) that I should avoid spending too much time on or addressing at all?

Thank you so much for your candid replies.

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[Leforte]

It's fine to put in your CV or personal statement. We interviewed two people this year who had successful small businesses during med school. Honestly though, did not make much of a difference when making rank lists.

 

[resxn]

This is a fantastic thing to put in your CV. It's one of those things that if you were the startup guy and conceived and built this thing, I'd 100% want you in an interview. This is the kind of thing that to me throws you way over the otherwise equivalent candidate who spent their whole time in a lab and pumps out 3 1st author papers.

 

[shffl]

Hey I find that really inspirational. To be able to start a side business while in med school must have been great for minimizing the debt incurred from school. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of business did you run?

 

[ThePursuit]

It's sounds like my initial thoughts were correct. It's worth putting in there and talking about, but it's icing - and I need to make sure I already baked the cake to put it on first.

Thanks again for your replies!