“We had the idea. BBM helped us realize it.”
How two Questrom MBAs turned a vision into a resilient, profitable biopharma powerhouse.
Sigma Lab Consulting
The Story: The Missing Manual
Lawrence Wong and Oscar Gonzalez were no strangers to business theory. Fresh out of Boston University’s Questrom School of Business with MBAs in hand, they had a "stellar but imperfect" idea for a consulting firm that would solve the complex operational friction within the life sciences industry.
But they launched in the middle of a global pandemic. They had just watched their founding team downsize from four to two. While business school gave them the foundations, it didn't provide the step-by-step instructions for the unique, high-stakes world of biopharma operations.
The Challenge: They knew what they wanted to do—simplify the "Biopharma Nexus" of people, systems, and decisions—but they weren’t sure how to operationalize it. They were reading the books and listening to the podcasts, but they were missing the one thing that can't be taught in a classroom: Lived Experience.
The Turning Point: Finding a Sounding Board
Lawrence and Oscar didn't just need a teacher; they needed a trusted advisor who had been in the trenches. They turned to Boston Business Mentors.
“They were the lived experience that we desperately needed to tap into. Experienced in the industry. Experienced in building a business from scratch. They were not immune nor ignorant to the challenges that this industry offers, putting honesty forward with guidance that gave us hope.” — Oscar Gonzalez, Co-founder
BBM provided a safe space to think beyond traditional frameworks. Our mentors challenged their assumptions, helping them move from "fresh graduates" to "industry leaders."
The Result: Sigma Lab Consulting
Today, Sigma Lab Consulting is a thriving firm that helps life science organizations work better, faster, and smarter. From optimizing research operations to authoring the book Predictably Broken, Oscar and Lawrence have built a resilient business that remains profitable despite the volatile shifts in the biopharma sector.
They transitioned from the security of six-figure salaries to the freedom of owning a company that bridges the gap between project construction and facility management.
The BBM Difference
At Boston Business Mentors, we don't just teach business—we help you operationalize your unique vision. Whether you are a solo founder or a partnership like Sigma Lab, our mentors provide:
Industry-Specific Insight: Real-world experience you can’t get from a blog.
Honest Guidance: A sounding board that prioritizes truth over comfort.
Resilience Building: Strategies to ensure your business stays profitable through market shifts.
Ready to realize your idea?
Don't navigate the "painful learning opportunities" of business ownership alone. Let our lived experience be your greatest asset.
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