Embarking on My Own MBA with the "India Street Business School" – Redefining Business Education from the Ground Up

Next year, I'm setting out on a one-of-a-kind journey: a year-long, hands-on MBA in India’s streets and markets. Imagine this – instead of classrooms, my “campus” will be India’s bustling business hubs, and my professors will be the dynamic street business owners who drive over 50% of our economy. These are the “CEOs” of the grassroots economy, the leaders who bring local flair to life through their hard work, and I’m thrilled to learn directly from them. This isn’t just an MBA; it’s a deep dive into India’s core entrepreneurial spirit.

My Year-Long Exploration Plan

Duration: January to December 2025, One week of each month dedicated to exploring one unique type of business across 12 cities in India. Focus: From street food stalls and snack vendors to small clothing boutiques and traditional handicrafts, each business has its own story, challenges, and potential.

Here’s the structure of each week:

• Day 1: Shadow the business owner to understand their day-to-day operations and see how they overcome challenges in real-time.
• Day 2: Break down the business model, identifying its pros, cons, finances, marketing strategies, and how it connects with customers.
• Day 3: Explore scalability through digital platforms to see how these businesses might reach wider audiences or even global markets.
• Day 4: Publish findings and invite the public’s thoughts and feedback.
• Day 5: Consider investment opportunities if the business shows promise, either directly or through partnerships with investors.
• Day 6 & 7: Enjoy the local city!

Why India’s Grassroots Businesses?

Grassroots businesses, especially those in India’s informal economy, form the heartbeat of our country’s commerce and culture. Yet, they remain largely unstructured and often overlooked. I want to bring their strengths, challenges, and growth potential into the spotlight, creating a framework of insights that could impact the entire economy. From one city to the next, India’s diversity offers a unique business climate, with consumer behavior and needs changing every few kilometers. This journey will capture authentic, ground-level data that no traditional case study could match.

Sharing and Expanding the Vision

Each case study will culminate in a published article, leading up to my upcoming book, The Great Indian Street Business, which will showcase the remarkable adaptability and innovation within India’s grassroots economy.

In addition, I’m developing DolfynBrands, an accelerator dedicated to empowering and scaling these businesses. By providing mentorship, resources, and funding, we’ll help grassroots ventures reach new heights and bring Indian businesses to the world stage. For instance, we’re already working with an essential oils brand, aiming to elevate it to international markets.

Join the Journey

I invite you to share your thoughts! Which business types or cities would you like to see explored? And if this MBA approach resonates with you, let me know what you’d like to see included.

India’s business future is vibrant and full of potential – let’s explore it, elevate it, and bring its stories to the world.

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