Entrepreneurial Leader Ashaa Murali: Business Science

For many, success in business is a result of intuition. For Entrepreneurial Leader Ashaa Murali, however, intuition was only the starting point. After seven years leading marketing for her family’s leather business and launching her own fashion startup, she sought something deeper: the methodology of commerce.

From Abstract Ideas to Structured Strategy

When Murali enrolled in the Babson MBA, she wasn’t looking for “Business 101.” She wanted to understand the science behind the transactions. She found this rigor in Professor Lidija Polutnik’s pricing course, which blended economics with marketing insights.

Murali used the classroom as an “intense consultation” for her own ventures. By applying theoretical concepts to her existing businesses in real-time, she moved from guessing her market value to calculating it with scientific precision.

The BETA-X Framework

A core part of Murali’s development was the BETA-X program. This model required her to build a product for global giants like P&G from scratch within her first seven weeks.

This “skeletal” approach to business taught her how to identify specific pain points and apply finance, strategy, and accounting concepts simultaneously. “You remember it as an experience and not as a class,” Murali noted, highlighting the power of practical application.

Leading with Intentionality

Perhaps the most profound shift for Murali was the lesson of Intentionality. By watching leaders like Provost Ariel Armony, she learned that true leadership requires being fully present and undistracted, a rare trait in today’s business world.

This focus has transformed her leadership style. Her family notes that she returns to the business “much calmer,” equipped with a systemic toolkit that allows her to navigate complex challenges with ease. Entrepreneurial Leader Ashaa Murali is no longer just running a business; she is mastering the science of it.