Alumni Author: The Store of Life – Shruthi Harikrishna, PGP 2009

From balancing early mornings of doodling with leading global analytics teams to finding joy in small moments of quiet reflection, Shruthi Harikrishna (PGP 2009) has always believed in pausing to let the heart smile and the mind breathe. An alumna who has seamlessly blended sharp problem-solving with warm storytelling, Shruthi has now added another feather to her cap with her new book, The Store of Life, a light-hearted, doodle-filled reminder to fill our days with what truly matters. In this conversation, Shruthi shares how IIMB shaped her journey, the lessons she’s carried forward into her professional and creative life, and why it’s worth taking a moment—even in a world that doesn’t stop—to listen to your own laughter.

Congratulations on your new book! What inspired you to write it, and what message do you hope it leaves with readers?

Thank you! I’ve been writing for 20 years now, mostly the kind that makes you snort with laughter or stop mid-sentence and rethink your life choices. My writing’s always had two simple goals: to make the heart smile, or the brain pause and shift ever so slightly.

This book was sparked by two serendipitous nudges. One – a former boss handed me a quirky, doodle-heavy book called The Giant Hairball, saying it reminded him of my writing and art. And two – a dear friend starting a publishing house for Indian non-fiction nudged me out of my fiction comfort zone and into the self-help aisle.

As a Vipassana meditator, I believe in wishing well for the world. And in a world filled with stress, FOMO, and overthinking, I wanted to create something helpful, but not heavy. So, The Store of Life was born – a light-hearted, doodle-filled reminder that time is our most precious currency, and we get to choose what we put in our basket.

Could you share your journey from IIMB to your current professional path, and how it shaped your outlook?

I started out as employee number 7 at a tech startup that didn’t quite take off, and somewhere between debugging code and watching dreams unravel, I realised I didn’t just want to build products, I wanted to understand how businesses work. So I wrote the CAT, landed at IIMB, and spent two unforgettable years soaking up everything I could, from brilliant professors to equally brilliant peers. It was like drinking from a firehose of ideas.

Post-MBA, I sprinted through the consulting lane from a summer internship at Bain to retail consulting at Tesco. Then came motherhood, which made me pause and think about where I could apply my problem-solving skills without constantly being on the move. That’s when I stepped into the world of analytics, and it turned out to be a perfect fit.

From being someone who wanted to do everything myself (and preferably yesterday!) to now finding joy in mentoring, collaborating, and watching others grow, it’s been a fulfilling evolution. And in many ways, The Store of Life is an extension of that same journey: solving life’s messiness with a smile, a squiggle, and hopefully, a bit of wisdom.

How do you balance your professional responsibilities with your passion for writing?

Balance, for me, isn’t about doing it all – it’s about doing what matters. Over the years, I’ve worked hard on building my “No” muscle. It’s not easy, but it’s essential. Saying no to things that don’t align with my priorities has helped me say a wholehearted yes to the ones that do, whether it’s leading at work or doodling at 5 a.m.

Focus is the other secret sauce. In a world designed to distract, I’ve found calm and clarity through my Vipassana practice and my slightly obsessive relationship with exercise. Both teach you the art of presence; of making the most of every sixty seconds, as Kipling wisely said.

So when I’m at work, I’m at work. And when I’m writing, drawing, or simply chasing ideas before the rest of the world wakes up, I’m fully there too. The trick isn’t balance, really. It’s being where you are, when you are.

Were there specific experiences or learnings at IIMB that influenced your writing or career decisions?

Until I got to IIMB, I was used to topping every class. Then I arrived and realised… being middle of the pack was going to take serious effort. That was a wonderfully grounding moment. It taught me not to take life, or myself, too seriously. After all, none of us gets out of it alive… or with all our hair intact.

It also nudged me to stop obsessing over numbers – grades, salaries, age – and focus instead on the learning. And once you remove that pressure, those two years were truly magical. There was so much to absorb from people with wildly different world views but equal passion.

That passion became my north star. I’ve chased it ever since –  in the teams I work with, the problems I solve, and the words I put on a page. If The Store of Life has a soul, it was definitely shaped during my time at IIMB.

What were some of the challenges you faced while writing and publishing your book, and how did you overcome them?

Being an unpublished author is a bit like being that awkward teenager at a school dance – full of hope, but no one’s making eye contact. I cold-emailed and cold-called almost every publishing house out there. My belief? The answer to the question you don’t ask is definitely no. So I asked. And asked. And asked.

Om Publications was incredibly kind to give an unsolicited manuscript a read, and their belief in me is what brought The Store of Life to life.

As a first-time author, I quickly realised my bargaining power was somewhere between “cute try” and “nice doodles.” So I chose my battles wisely – stood firm on the things that truly mattered to me, and gracefully let go of others. The key was learning to make peace with what didn’t go my way and staying focused on the now. On how to make the best of what did come through.

What does a typical day in your life look like now, managing work, writing, and personal commitments?

Weekdays are anchored at work – driving outcomes, aligning global teams, and ensuring we’re solving the right problems, not just the loudest ones. I’ve learnt not to carry more than five things in my head at any time. My mental to-do list is short, focused, and fiercely prioritised. Equally important is my to-don’t list: a set of clear boundaries that help me protect time and energy for what really matters.

Writing and creative work usually find their space in the early mornings or weekends, when the world quiets down and ideas speak up. Like most women, I’ve had to master the art of multitasking and time management, but I also believe the real power lies in choosing what not to do.

Having my parents nearby means I have reliable reinforcements, both practical and emotional. A teenager at home ensures I stay culturally updated (whether I want to or not), and a husband with a great sense of humour and tolerance makes everything lighter. Add in high-performing teams and a company that genuinely values people – and the juggling act starts to look like a rhythm I enjoy.

Any advice you would give to fellow alumni looking to pursue their passion projects alongside their careers?

If there’s one thing IIM grads are known for apart from spreadsheets and acronym overload, it’s getting stuff done. When we believe in something, we move mountains… or at least rearrange calendar invites with great conviction. So I’m not sure I have much advice to offer that isn’t already instinctively known.

My only real advice? Find your why. Passion is great, but purpose is the fuel that gets you through late nights, self-doubt, and printer jams. Once you know why you’re doing something, you’ll find the time, the energy, and occasionally, the sense of humour to keep at it.

And don’t wait for the perfect moment. It’s like waiting for a Bangalore traffic-free Monday – mythical and unnecessary.

What’s next for you—both professionally and as an author? Are there more books in the pipeline?

Yes, more books are definitely on the cards! I have a couple of children’s books and a short story collection quietly waiting their turn, both in my head and somewhere on my laptop. My husband and daughter are firmly in Team Fiction. Apparently, storytelling is what I do best. (So much for all those years spent solving complex business problems!)

On the professional front, things are equally exciting. We’re staying ahead of the curve by leading an AI Centre of Excellence and exploring how AI can reimagine our work in analytics. It’s a space buzzing with possibility.

But as with all things, the proof of both puddings is in the tasting. Let’s see how readers take to The Store of Life, and how our AI bets play out at work. Either way, I’m having fun stirring both pots.

Finally, what does IIMB mean to you today, and how do you continue to stay connected with the community?

IIMB was the first time I stayed away from home and there’s something unforgettable about friendships formed while sharing toothpaste, bathrooms, and 3 a.m. Maggi. Our batch remains incredibly close-knit. We celebrate each other’s successes in great style… and our failures in even greater style.

The IIMB brand has stuck with me through every stage of life – quietly opening doors, shaping perspectives, and constantly reminding me of the incredible company I keep. I was inspired by my peers then, and I continue to be in awe of everything they’ve gone on to achieve.

A special shoutout to the professors who not only shaped our thinking during those two years but have since gone on to do remarkable things in their own fields and still manage to stay in touch with us like old friends. That kind of connection is rare, and truly special.

A note of appreciation to the alumni community too. It’s been amazing to see it grow stronger, more connected, and more engaged over the years. It’s heartening to know that wherever life takes you, you’re never too far from someone who once borrowed your shampoo at the hostel.

Shruthi’s journey is a reminder that even in a fast-paced world, it’s worth pausing to choose what truly matters. From analytics to art, she shows that purpose and curiosity can guide us through every chapter we write. Her story nudges us to find moments of quiet laughter and presence, wherever we are. It is these small choices, after all, that shape a life well-lived.