Business Beyond Usual

Michigan Ross
  • 5.0 (38)
  • Careers

Business Beyond Usual is a podcast from MBA students at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. In each episode, classmates tackle a burning issue in the business world or business education. There are no rules, no moderators, and no boundaries. This isn’t your typical b-school podcast. We’re taking business beyond usual. Subscribe for new episodes throughout the fall and winter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Student-Led Investment Funds - S10 E05

    4h ago

    Student-Led Investment Funds - S10 E05

    Michigan Ross stands out as a business school in part for its numerous action-based learning experiences. There are seven student-led investment funds at the University of Michigan, where students source real deals, make real investment decisions, and manage real capital while still in school.  On the season 10 finale of Business Beyond Usual, our hosts sit down with 5 MBA students who are each exploring venture capital (VC) at Ross. The guests delve into what makes each of their funds unique, sharing investment theses which often focus on both financial viability and social impact. They demystify the application process, explain how the funds are structured, and take us through the investment process — from sourcing deals, to conducting due diligence, to making the final decision.  Students pursuing VC at Ross acquire a wide variety of hard and soft skills, such as financial modeling, dealing with ambiguity, and learning how to take a bet on a team of people rather than on the product or technology alone.  Student Led Venture Funds Featured in the Episode Michigan Climate Venture (MCV) Wolverine Venture Fund (WVF) Michigan Social Venture Fund (SVF) International Investment Fund (IIF) Zell Lurie Commercialization Fund (ZLCF) Hosts: Aishwarya Raja and Oghoghosa IgbinewekaGuests: Arsh Anand, Prithu Verma, Sunny Huang, Taku Muravu, and Ivy LeeExecutive Producers: Aishwarya Raja and Oghoghosa IgbinewekaStudio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  2. Clubs and Community at Ross - S10 E04

    Apr 24

    Clubs and Community at Ross - S10 E04

    There are around 60+ student organizations at Ross, spanning professional clubs, affinity groups, and social and sports clubs. On this episode of Business Beyond Usual, hosts Aishwarya Raja and Sylvia Percovich sit down with 4 deeply involved Ross students to discuss finding community outside of the classroom.   Topics covered include navigating the club fair as first years, deepening impact and involvement as second years, and, through it all, making it to Skeeps on Thursdays. Our guests take us inside the affinity groups, covering the Black Business Student Association (BBSA), Africa Business Club (ABC), Consortium, Latin American Business Students Association (LABSA), Brazilian Business Student Association (BRASA), Indian Subcontinent Business Association (ISBA), Michigan Business Women (MBW), MoMBAs, and more. The panel then looks forward to some favorite Ross events on the horizon, from Latin Vibes to the Follies Roast/Toast.  Our guests leave listeners with valuable advice: be open, show up, and get involved!  A list of all Michigan Ross clubs and organizations can be found here.   Hosts: Aishwarya Raja and Sylvia PercovichGuests: Colleen Heaney, Elie Mutomb, Marina Balassanian, and Alyssa DaumExecutive Producer: Aishwarya Raja Studio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  3. Living in Ann Arbor - S10 E03

    Mar 4

    Living in Ann Arbor - S10 E03

    On this episode of Business Beyond Usual, hosts Oghoghosa Igbineweka and Jasmin Lopez sit down with three full-time Michigan Ross students to talk about what it’s like to call Ann Arbor home while pursuing an MBA. Our guests talk about living in a walkable community where the student body informs the whole town’s culture. They share their day-to-day routines, tips for setting boundaries so as to make the most of their time, and some of their favorite Ann Arbor spots like Dozer Coffee, Slurping Turtle, and York.  Our guests leave listeners with their invaluable advice: come to Ross with an open mind; do what scares you; and lean into the community. Mentioned in Episode: Africa Business Club Black Business Student Association Michigan Marketing Club Peridot Sanger Leadership Crisis Challenge Hosts: Oghoghosa Igbineweka and Jasmin LopezGuests: Amidat Sonekan, Kameron Akbarzadeh, and Eva OguduExecutive Producers: Oghoghosa Igbineweka and Jasmin LopezStudio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  4. Recruiting by Industry: What Matters - S10 E02

    12/12/2025

    Recruiting by Industry: What Matters - S10 E02

    On this episode of Business Beyond Usual, our Full-Time MBA students demystify recruiting by industry. The guests do individual deep dives into recruiting in the CPG, retail, healthcare, energy, tech, corporate finance, investment banking, and consulting fields, highlighting methods for navigating unstructured recruiting processes. Topics covered include differing timelines, intentional networking, various interview styles, staying on top of industry trends, as well as how to make a career pivot and land on your feet.  Our guests leave us with their key pieces of advice: to set priorities, lean on community, and stay open to confusion and uncertainty.  Hosts: Aishwarya Raja and Jasmin LopezGuests: Mayank Goel, Sammy Srinivasan, Ross McQuate, Rahul Narain, Serena Ahuja Executive Producers: Oghoghosa Igbineweka, and Jasmin LopezStudio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 1m
  5. International Experiences - S10 E01

    10/17/2025

    International Experiences - S10 E01

    At Michigan Ross, international programs allow students the opportunity to immerse themselves in new cultures, tackle business challenges from a global perspective, and have once-in-a-lifetime experiences with their classmates while building lifelong connections around the world.  On the 10th season premiere of Business Beyond Usual, our full time MBA students speak to why they went global. They discuss various programs: student-led treks through MTREK, international Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP), and study abroad through the MBA Global Semester Exchange Program. They dive into the day-to-day life of time abroad, talking about the challenges — from language barriers to unfamiliar corporate culture — and reminiscing on the highlights of their travels. The students come away from their experiences with more empathy, compassion, and confidence, not to mention new friends and a deeper understanding of global business.  Subscribe to Breezy’s substack! @breezydoesit Hosts: Aishwarya Raja and Oghoghosa IgbinewekaGuests: Diane Jen, Abha Bhanu, Breezy Adams, Dominique Gill, and Janel WeatherlyExecutive Producers: Sylvia Percovich, Aishwarya Raja, Oghoghosa Igbineweka, and Jasmin LopezStudio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
  6. Episode 909 — Graduation

    06/13/2025

    Episode 909 — Graduation

    On the Season 9 finale of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, next year’s BBU hosts, Jasmin Lopez, Aishwarya Raja, Oghoghosa Igbineweka, and Sylvia Percovich, join this season’s hosts, Vashisht Sai, Aishwarya Dhume, and Mark O’Connell, to pass the torch and prepare for graduation. In the first part of the episode, our graduating hosts share their excitement for post-grad life and reflect on their time at Michigan Ross, discussing their favorite moments and biggest challenges. In the second part of the episode, our incoming hosts gear up to become MBA 2s. They express their enthusiasm for settling in at Ross, strengthening friendships, being more present, and contributing to the Ross community. Thank you, Vashisht, Aishwarya, and Mark, for an incredible ninth season of BBU! Go Blue! Hosts: Jasmin Lopez, Aishwarya Raja, Oghoghosa Igbineweka, Sylvia PercovichGuests: Vashisht Sai, Aishwarya Dhume, Mark O’ConnellExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashisht Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  7. Episode 908 — Building a Career in Business Leadership with Dave Brandon

    05/08/2025

    Episode 908 — Building a Career in Business Leadership with Dave Brandon

    On this episode of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, hosts Aishwarya Dhume and Vashisht Sai sit down with Dave Brandon, former CEO and current Executive Chairman of Domino’s. Dave takes us through his long and varied career, from attending U-M as a student athlete and aspiring teacher to working in executive leadership roles across industries. He discusses his approach to taking two different companies public, as well as the challenges he faced throughout his career. The conversation is a masterclass in creative problem-solving and how leaders persevere. Hosts: Aishwarya Dhume and Vashisht SaiGuest: Dave BrandonExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashisht Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min
  8. Episode 907 — Financing the MBA

    04/18/2025

    Episode 907 — Financing the MBA

    On this episode of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, hosts Aishwarya Dhume and Jasmin Lopez sit down with Ross Full-Time MBA students Vashisht Sai, Yashvi Patel, and Vraj Mehta to discuss how they financed their MBAs. The guests shed light on their individual journeys and share tips on de-mystifying student loans, campus jobs, internships, and scholarships. They touch on the role that expenses play in the recruitment process and their experiences in budgeting. One important tip? Buy the Michigan football pass! Hosts: Aishwarya Dhume and Jasmin LopezGuests: Vashisht Sai, Yashvi Patel, Vraj MehtaExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashisht Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 10m
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Trailer

5
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

Business Beyond Usual is a podcast from MBA students at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. In each episode, classmates tackle a burning issue in the business world or business education. There are no rules, no moderators, and no boundaries. This isn’t your typical b-school podcast. We’re taking business beyond usual. Subscribe for new episodes throughout the fall and winter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Michigan Ross
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    175
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2019 - University of Michigan
  • Show Website
    Business Beyond Usual

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