Why This Fashion-Tech Founder Chose The Duke Fuqua MBA To Pivot To Product Management

Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, I always knew I wanted to build something of my own. Back in 2018, while working as a data science manager and building machine learning algorithms from scratch, I realized I wanted more than just technical depth. I wanted ownership across the entire product lifecycle. Around the same time, I spotted a gap in the Indian bridalwear market: custom-made bridal and bridesmaids’ outfits that were both affordable and scalable.

The market was highly fragmented, yet wedding spend was growing year after year. I saw this as a white space and co-founded a fashion-tech startup to address it. Because every outfit was made-to-order, we were able to build a lean supply chain with minimal inventory, which made our operations agile and capital-efficient. Within two years, we had grown into a 20-member team, showcased at multiple fashion exhibitions across India, and earned a coveted spot at Paris Fashion Week. Things were moving fast—and in the right direction.

Then, everything changed in March 2020.

As COVID-19 brought the world to a halt, so did the wedding industry. Guest lists were slashed, celebrations were postponed, and consumer spending shrank. Fortunately, our low-inventory model shielded us from significant losses. But with operations slowing down, I suddenly found myself with time on my hands. For the first time in years, I could pause, reflect, and focus on personal growth.

During that time, I began reading more about how technology was transforming industries and what it truly took to scale a business beyond its early stages. Those months of introspection pushed me to think bigger. That’s when I decided to pursue an MBA at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

WHY MBA? WHY FUQUA?

My decision to pursue an MBA stemmed from a desire to build all-round skills in marketing, people management, and corporate finance, while gaining international exposure essential for creating scalable, global businesses. With my background in data science and engineering, I was particularly drawn to programs that combined business acumen with technical depth, making STEM-designated programs a clear priority.

Another key factor in choosing a business school was the strength of the alumni network. My undergraduate experience gave me a deep appreciation for tight-knit, collaborative communities—many of my closest mentors and confidantes to this day come from that network. When considering MBA programs, I sought a similar sense of belonging. Fuqua stood out to me immediately. Before even starting my applications, I met Dean Bill Boulding at a pre-MBA mixer in Mumbai, where I connected with Fuqua alumni and got a firsthand glimpse of the Team Fuqua spirit.

That sense of community, combined with the STEM certification—offered by only a handful of top programs at the time—became a decisive factor. I ultimately received admits from all four schools I applied to, but Fuqua’s culture and the prestigious Forté Fellowship I received made it an easy choice. I joined Fuqua’s MBA Class of 2022.

Fuqua offered exactly what I was looking for—a safe space to explore, upskill, and reinvent myself. It opened the door to a vibrant ecosystem of alumni who were not just successful entrepreneurs, but also those who had pivoted post-entrepreneurship to chart new paths. Through countless coffee chats, I learned about different post-MBA journeys—some had launched second ventures, others had transitioned into product leadership or management consulting roles. As I weighed my own next steps, I became increasingly drawn to the tech product ecosystem, where ideas could scale rapidly and create lasting impact.

PIVOT TO PRODUCT MANAGEMENT

The aspect of entrepreneurship I loved the most—building products from scratch and watching them grow—naturally aligned with product management. With my engineering background and passion for innovation, product management offered the perfect blend: staying close to technology while solving real customer problems at scale.

I dove headfirst into exploring the field. I enrolled in entrepreneurship-focused courses like Entrepreneurial Finance and Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition, while also joining the Tech Club’s mentorship program. That’s where I met a Senior Product Manager at Google—and a Fuqua alum—who became a pivotal mentor. Our monthly conversations gave me a behind-the-scenes view into the world of product management. What inspired me most was the scale and impact of her work; it was everything I loved about building, but within a larger, more structured environment.

I also participated in the Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum (FCCP), where I had the opportunity to work with a leading global audio streaming company to define the go-to-market strategy for a new product. This experience allowed me to collaborate closely with product managers and strengthened my conviction that this was the right path for me. Classes like Marketing for Innovation gave me further insight into how large companies build and launch technology-driven products. Throughout this journey, the Tech Club and Career Management Center (CMC) played an instrumental role in helping me prepare for interviews and product case studies.

That’s when product management truly clicked.

It brought together everything I loved about entrepreneurship—customer empathy, creative problem-solving, cross-functional collaboration—but within the framework of an established organization. I also realized I had a unique edge: my data science background helped me analyze problems at depth, while my entrepreneurial experience taught me how to move fast, operate with limited resources, and build something from the ground up.

My internship at Cisco gave me the opportunity to put all of this into practice. I conducted market research for a new product line, gathered insights from customers and competitors, and shaped the go-to-market strategy. It was my first experience working inside a large tech company, and it solidified my passion for product management.

Today, I work full-time as a Senior Product Manager at Cisco, helping shape data center networking products for some of the world’s largest enterprise customers. I collaborate daily with engineering, marketing, design, and sales to build scalable solutions that solve real-world problems. A recent proud moment was when a product I had been working on was launched during the Cisco Live keynote—a powerful reminder of the global impact we’re driving. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue building innovative, scalable, and meaningful products that make a difference.

Advice for the MBA Application Process

Don’t shy away from showcasing your true personality. Embrace your unique journey and highlight what sets you apart—both in terms of skills and life experiences. Fuqua’s “25 Random Things” essay is a rare and powerful opportunity to do just that. I used it to share my entrepreneurial highs and lows, and how I navigated roadblocks with resilience. But I also used it to highlight my personal interests—my love for desserts, my passion for dance, and my table tennis journey that took me to a national camp in my teens.

Equally important is connecting with alumni. These conversations helped me gain clarity on the culture, courses, and experiential opportunities at Fuqua. They played a huge role in helping me craft a compelling application rooted in authenticity.

For me, the MBA wasn’t just a degree—it was a launchpad. It gave me the toolkit to scale, the confidence to pivot, and the community to lean on. Some of the alumni I met during this journey are now my closest mentors. For anyone considering a career pivot—whether from entrepreneurship, engineering, or another field—my advice is simple: your skills are more transferable than you think. What matters most is clarity of purpose, openness to learning, and the courage to evolve.

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Devanshi Kotak is a Senior Product Manager at Cisco with over six years of experience spanning data science, entrepreneurship, and product management. An Class of 2022 MBA graduate from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, she has led products across diverse industries—including finance, fashion, and tech. Devanshi is driven by a passion for solving real customer problems and building scalable, impactful products that make a difference.

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