Vinay Kumar
At the age of 10, Megha Malagatti saw the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants and dreamed of one day, leaving her small home town of Gadag and joining such a glamorous world. In reality, she built a career in engineering – decidedly less glamorous!
Whilst a highly rewarding occupation (Megha was part of the team responsible for the first ever Telemedicine platform in India), the lure of luxury living did not leave her.
And so, at the age of 29 she left her job, her friends and her life in Bangalore, to move more than 6,000 miles away, enrolling on the MBA programme at ESSEC Business School in France.
The aim? To build a career that blended her STEM know-how with a little of the glitter of the luxury world. Studying on a prestigious business programme in the European homeland of fashion and luxury was a daunting, yet crucial stepping stone to achieving that goal.
The gamble paid off. Megha’s career has seen her work for luxury brands including L’Oréal and Hermès and live all over the world. Today she is Managing Director of Hermès India.
Can a study abroad experience change your life? Megha believes so. She shares her story here…
Why did you decide to go to business school overseas? What was it about your school and programme in particular that encouraged you to enrol?
I had a few French friends when I was living in Bangalore and one of them directed me towards the International Luxury Brand Management MBA offered by ESSEC. I fell in love with the course, quit my job and decided to move to Paris to pursue my childhood dream.
The school opens you to industry networks, connecting you in real-time with real industry people. I had no idea what Luxury in France was all about, but I could learn it.
What was it like moving to France? How did you adapt and
what helped you find your feet?
It was quite tough. My move to France was not supported by my family, so I had to make it on my own. I had never been to Paris before and did not know a word of French. It took a few years to integrate into the local culture. Learning the language, although tough, is very helpful. I had more positive surprises than negative ones as I felt like France opened its arms and welcomed me in, starting from my journey at ESSEC.
What was the best thing you gained from your studies?
Professionally, a good network of people, industry knowledge, practical experiences.
Personally, I discovered myself, a good set of friends and a whole new country. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in your studies, and how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge was buying into the dream of Luxury and understanding the emotional side of it. As an engineer, we are trained to be logical and analytical. It took some time to understand the value proposition that includes quality, craftsmanship, the brand heritage, etc. I still keep learning every day.
How did your business school/education support you in realising your ambitions?
ESSEC opens doors into the world of luxury. At school, I learned a lot by meeting industry leaders, working on various projects with my colleagues and brands, and
traveling to other luxury markets. It gave me the foundation to restart my career. ESSEC helped my childhood dream come true. It’s one of the best decisions I ever made.
How has your career progressed since graduating?
It has been 15 years since my MBA. I remember starting my job as Area Sales Manager at S.T. Dupont and becoming the Global Marketing Director for the brand before I moved to LOréal as Business Development Executive.
At LOréal I moved to Singapore as Marketing Head in the Luxe division and then came back to Paris and worked on Beauty Tech Tools before taking the role at Hermès India as India’s Managing Director in Mumbai until recently. I look forward to positive challenges and new experiences in my future.
How has ESSEC supported you in your career since?
I believe that as an alumnus, my responsibility is to share my experiences with young talents. ESSEC has given me opportunities to do so.
What is your favourite thing about your work today?
Motivating people positively and providing them the platform to grow. And in turn, learning from them so that I grow as well. This always helps to stay focused and
build strong businesses.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In this ever changing fast paced world, I see myself continuing to do what I enjoy the most at work on a day to day basis, and having fun by building a strong team.
What advice would you give to others who are considering studying in France?
For my fellow Indians, know the reason why you are going. I went to change my life, enter the luxury industry and I did. Once you know the why, then preparation becomes easier and you can carve your own path.
Is there anything you wished someone had told you as you
began your journey?
I wish someone had made me discover the luxury industry earlier in my career. But I am happy that I am part of it now. It’s never too late.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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