#SuccessStory: From an MBA Capstone project to the Paris finals: The market success of the LAVQ brand

For years, the Executive International MBA program at Gdańsk University of Technology has demonstrated that knowledge gained in the classroom translates directly into real-world business success. The best proof of this is the story of the cosmetics brand LAVQ, which evolved from an academic thesis project into a concept now competing for top European industry awards.

Behind the market success of this innovative brand stand Aleksander Wojciechowski – a 2025 graduate of the Executive MBA program at Gdansk University of Technology and his wife Joanna Piórek-Wojciechowska. Their joint venture is an exemplary instance of the synergy between modern management and specialized medical-biological expertise.

Capstone Project: Translating Practical MBA Knowledge into Business

For Aleksander Wojciechowski, our program was not merely a means to enhance his managerial skills, but the direct catalyst for launching a new venture. The concept for the LAVQ (Love Amber Value Quality) brand took shape and matured as a Capstone Project – the culmination of the MBA program, where students integrate analytical tools, growth strategy, finance and sustainability (ESG) requirements into an actionable business plan.

Thanks to the program’s hands-on approach and consultations with experts and faculty, LAVQ’s operational framework was further refined on the basis of hard data and a well-conceived scaling strategy. The managerial expertise gained during the program helped Aleksander steer the project from the conceptual phase to a successful market launch.

The Capstone Project was carried out by a team consisting of Aleksander Wojciechowski, Łukasz Neumann and Krystian Ornowski under the supervision of Prof. Krzysztof Zięba, MBA Lecturer and Quality Lead.

Expertise and Ties to the MBA Community

Joanna Piórek-Wojciechowska – a respected physiotherapist, osteopath and author of health-related publications – serves as the expert authority behind the formulations of LAVQ products. Her extensive experience in bodywork enabled the creation of LAVQ AmberGlow, the brand’s flagship regenerating and moisturizing cream infused with succinic acid.

It is worth noting that the relationship between the creators of LAVQ and our university community is multifaceted. Joanna Piórek-Wojciechowska appeared as a special guest, leading a dedicated session in the “Creative Evening” series for MBA students and alumni. During the event, she shared her insights with the MBA community on a holistic approach to health, building authenticity in business and combining science with the creation of premium products.

International Recognition: Nomination in the European Natural Beauty Awards 2026

The practical management approach taught and uncompromising product quality have yielded spectacular market results. The brand’s debut cosmetic, LAVQ AmberGlow, has been nominated in the prestigious European Natural Beauty Awards 2026 (ENBA).

ENBA is one of the most important European awards in the cosmetics industry, promoting innovation, purity of ingredients, and sustainable development. The culmination of this recognition will be a grand finale in Paris at the end of September 2026 where the project the project developed as part of the Executive MBA program at Gdansk University of Technology will be presented among Europe’s leading visionaries and leaders in the beauty market.

We are proud!

Aleksander Wojciechowski’s achievements perfectly embody the mission of the Executive International MBA program: to educate leaders capable of creating new value in the market. Stories like this serve as the best inspiration for candidates joining future editions of our program.