Nayantara Viswanath: from artistic beginnings to strategic marketing leadership in Paris

Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

Hello! My name is Nayantara (or Nina) and I was born in India and moved to the US at the age of 12. From a young age, I have always been an artist and have loved drawing, painting, and crafting. I have always had a passion for visual expression and knew that this inherent talent would translate for the course of my career. 

What was your background before you decided to look for an MBA?

Prior to the MBA, I had a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Communication from California Polytechnic State University and was a Graphic Designer for a well-known American beauty brand in LA. Working for a small brand, I loved the entrepreneurship spirit and creative freedom to design product campaigns, support new product launches and directly influence the brand storytelling through visuals. I flourished in this role over 3.5yrs and I saw the brand double in size, expand into Target and Ulta, and soar in social media popularity.

I wanted to transition to a more business-focused role that impacted sales and product development more directly; thus I decided to pursue an MBA and expand my education. 

Why did you choose the GMBA at ESSEC?

ESSEC was my top choice because: 1/ it was highly ranked in France with a unique 1-yr  Luxury Brand Management program 2/ Alumni were accomplished and employed at top cosmetic brand 3/ Paris was an attractive city due to being a global cosmetic hub 4/ the high quality education for a more economical tuition (compared to American universities) 

What was your project when you entered the program?

My goal was to stay in Paris and continue a career in cosmetics for a global brand under as a Marketing Manager. I wanted to learn more about product development and grown my knowledge in the industry while having an international experience and learn French. 

What are the main skills that you acquired during the program?

The program taught me the benefits of working in an international team and gave me more exposure to project collaborations in a competitive environment. I also had very valuable courses on strategic management, digitalization, and thought-provoking discussions on the evolution of the luxury industry post COVID. The most valuable part of the MBA was the Alumni network and guest speakers. Each was highly successful, brought a unique perspective on their career post-ESSEC, and had valuable advice on soft skills development. 

What is your current job position and how did the GMBA help you reach it?

My job upon graduation from the GMBA was International Project Manager at L’Oréal for a skincare brand. In many ways, this was my dream job and I achieved this offer because of all the Alumni I had met throughout the program, including the opportunity to work with Biotherm on the Capstone consulting mission. Throughout the GMBA program, I was able to network with a lot of people in the cosmetics and luxury industry and I am still in touch with many of whom I now call friends!  

What is your best memory of the program?

The best memory of the program was the sense of community I had among my cohort and the life-long friends I have through this program. It’s truly the people that set this experience apart and I don’t feel like I would have had the same experience had I chosen a different University with 1000s of students per cohort. I feel like we received a lot of individual attention from staff and professors, and I could build personal relationships with my classmates due to the small class sizes. 

Your experience at ESSEC in one word?

Not-your-average-baguette

Your advice to future applicants?

Don’t hesitate – just apply! Think hard about your goals post-MBA and why YOU would be a great asset to the ESSEC community. It’s ok to brag about our accomplishments – this is your time to shine. Once admitted to the program, I also strongly advice to learn French, even if you only stay in France for 1 year. A little bonjour goes a long way and helps tremendously in enjoying la vie Parisienne!