NDSU MBA alum turns entrepreneurial dream into thriving diesel business

NDSU’s Master of Business Administration program provides students with the business knowledge and leadership skills needed to achieve their goals.

For NDSU alum Josh Seley, that goal was building a business of his own, though the path to earning his MBA wasn’t always straightforward.

Seley recalls that attending college was never on his radar when he was in high school. At the time, he said grades often weren’t his top priority, but sports and shop class were his passions.

After he graduated high school, Seley decided to enlist in the Navy, where he quickly rose in rank, becoming an instructor in diesel-powered equipment as he taught recruits how to fix tow tractors, fire trucks and cranes. His role in the Navy quickly made Seley realize the importance of education, prompting him to reconsider college and earn a bachelor’s degree in education.

“I liked teaching, I liked learning and I enjoyed learning things I could apply in real life,” Seley said. “Most of all, I liked communicating those things to others and watching the ‘light bulb’ come on, knowing they could take that new knowledge and go on to do great things for the U.S. Navy.”

Upon finishing his second enlistment in the Navy and transitioning to civilian life, Seley knew he wanted to continue working with diesel mechanics, but soon realized opportunities for advancement in the truck repair industry were limited. Looking for a way to expand his career options, he turned to NDSU’s MBA program; a decision Seley said was a “no-brainer.”

“NDSU’s program offered night classes, which made it convenient, and it held the high standards and rigorous coursework you expect from a graduate program,” said Seley, who graduated with his MBA in 2020. “NDSU is also very well respected locally and carries a national reputation. My Navy friends from across the U.S. and around the world know the name.”

While juggling classes and working 50-60 hours a week at his job, Seley remained committed to achieving his life goal of making lasting positive impacts on others.

“NDSU’s MBA program directly paved the path for me to be able to do just that,” he said. “To be able to harness my skills, abilities and work experience to do that in a way that has and will continue to make a difference for everyone I have the opportunity to work with and cross-paths within life.”

It didn’t take long for Seley to make an impact while at NDSU. It was during his time in the MBA program that Seley decided to take a leap on his dream of starting his own diesel repair business after being encouraged by fellow classmates.

“Long story short, the MBA program was the confidence boost I needed to get the ball rolling,” he said. “I originally filed my LLC with the North Dakota Secretary of State in May 2019 as a sort of trial project, something I planned to do in the evenings to see if it took off. By June 2019, the calls were coming in so fast that I decided to leave my full-time job and go all in.”

Now seven years later, Seley has his own shop, Deckplate Diesel, located in Fargo.

Throughout his time in NDSU’s MBA program, Seley said he gained a plethora of skills that he carries with him in his business, including communication, strong teamwork and utilizing proper tools needed for the job.

Among the professors that stood out to Seley were Derek Lehmberg, a professor and the MBA graduate program director. One of the meaningful lessons Seley learned from Lehmberg was the phrase “Muda,” a Japanese term meaning waste, futility or uselessness that Lehmberg picked up during his time consulting in Japan.

“That single phrase has stayed with me for the last seven years as I have grown my business and my life in many ways,” Seley said. “Whenever I see waste, I say to myself, ‘Ah, there’s some Muda.’ I will never forget this term and the importance of its impact on effective and efficient business processes.”

Other faculty and staff Seley remains grateful for include Paul Brown, a senior lecturer in management and marketing, and Elizabeth Worth, the graduate programs coordinator in the College of Business. Both Brown and Worth were there for Seley before he started his MBA, walking him through the admissions process, and even now as Seley is working on pursuing a law degree.

“This whole experience has shown me that before you are an NDSU MBA student, while you are one and even after you have earned the degree and become an alumnus, the staff is amazing,” he said. “They truly lead by example and work to shape the world of business into a better future for everyone who knocks on their door, makes a phone call or reaches out by email.”

For those looking to enhance their careers by pursuing an MBA at NDSU, Seley offers nothing but encouragement.

“The NDSU MBA program was incredibly useful for me,” he said. “It adds skills, knowledge and tools to your success, and it gives you the confidence to take on anything the business world throws your way.”

At NDSU, your path to new horizons starts here. Apply now or schedule a visit to see what we have to offer.