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Growing up in a family of small business owners in Chennai, I often overheard conversations about GST filings, cash flow shortages, or how “the bank rejected the loan again.” As I entered college, I realized that these seemingly anecdotal challenges reflected a deeper issue: millions of Indian MSMEs—who account for nearly 30% of the country’s GDP—struggle to adapt to the digital economy, not due to lack of ambition, but due to systemic inefficiencies. This realization ignited my passion for business strategy and financial innovation, and it continues to fuel my aspiration to drive scalable, tech-driven solutions for underserved enterprises in emerging markets.

To equip myself for this mission, I am applying to the Full-Time MBA program at Melbourne Business School (MBS). With its strong curriculum in strategic management, its diverse and global cohort, and its ties to the Asia-Pacific business ecosystem, MBS stands out as the ideal launchpad for my transition into APAC consulting and my longer-term entrepreneurial aspirations in inclusive fintech.

I began my professional journey at Deloitte India as a Business Analyst in the Strategy & Operations division. Over three years, I led and supported over a dozen consulting engagements across the financial services and manufacturing sectors. One project that stands out involved digital transformation for a leading NBFC, where my team implemented an AI-based customer segmentation tool to improve loan underwriting. The initiative led to a 24% increase in portfolio quality over a year. These experiences taught me how data, when combined with insight and empathy, can unlock strategic value.

Eager to work in a more agile environment, I joined a Series B-funded fintech startup, LendMark, as Strategy Manager. Here, I was responsible for building go-to-market plans for B2B lending products aimed at Indian tier-2 and tier-3 cities. I also launched an MSME financial literacy program in collaboration with regional trade bodies—an experience that revealed the significant role policy understanding and digital tools can play in unlocking credit access for the underserved. These roles have not only honed my analytical and leadership capabilities but also reaffirmed the need for advanced business education to scale my impact.

Melbourne Business School offers precisely the kind of academic and professional environment I am seeking. Courses such as “Business Strategy,” “Managing Innovation,” and “Data Analytics for Decision Making” resonate with my current skill needs. I am especially drawn to the Integrated Strategic Projects module, which will allow me to work with real businesses and apply classroom concepts to high-impact problems. I also look forward to participating in MBS’s Innovation Bootcamp and the Melbourne Venture Crawl, which I see as opportunities to refine my entrepreneurial lens.

The school’s location in Melbourne—a major financial and tech hub in the Asia-Pacific—adds another layer of relevance to my goals. I am keen to engage with the MBS Centre for Business Analytics and its collaborations with APAC companies, particularly in financial services. Additionally, I believe that MBS’s diverse student community and global alumni network will enrich my perspectives and build lasting professional relationships.

Upon graduation, I plan to join a top consulting firm in the APAC region, focusing on digital strategy for financial services clients. Within 4–5 years, I intend to return to India and launch a fintech advisory platform that helps MSMEs navigate digital lending, regulatory compliance, and sustainable scaling. I envision this firm not just as a service provider, but as a policy think tank and digital skills trainer for underserved businesses.

I believe I bring to MBS a unique mix of strategic consulting experience, startup agility, and a mission-driven mindset. Whether analyzing GTM strategies for a SaaS product, or organizing financial literacy sessions for kirana store owners in Varanasi, I’ve always approached business problems with equal parts heart and rigor. I am excited to bring this same energy to the MBS cohort, and to grow alongside peers who share a vision of meaningful, ethical business leadership.

An MBA at Melbourne Business School is not merely a career step for me—it is a strategic inflection point. It offers the global outlook, analytical frameworks, and leadership development I need to bridge the gap between digital innovation and grassroots business realities.