From Starbucks to Supplements: An MBA Journey Through Marketing in Action
Introduction: When Marketing Became More Than Just a Module
There are few MBA modules that blend academic theory and real-world insight as powerfully as Marketing. Over the past term, I went from co-hosting a podcast about surviving on the high street to writing a strategic marketing plan for a science-backed health supplement.
These two assignments couldn’t have been more different — one was collaborative and conversational, the other analytical and individual. Yet together, they offered a powerful perspective on how brands build relevance, trust, and traction in today’s competitive landscape.
Group Podcast: Let It Dough vs. Starbucks – High Street Survival
Our group project involved creating a podcast episode comparing two local businesses — Let It Dough, a Birmingham-based artisan bakery, and a nearby Starbucks franchise. Both operate in the same space, but with drastically different resources, audiences, and marketing strategies.
Insights From the Podcast:
- Let It Dough thrives on community, allergen-safe baking, and authenticity. Their strategy leans on social proof, storytelling, and Instagram reels — aimed at customers who value inclusion and health.
- Starbucks, on the other hand, deploys data. Their app ecosystem, geo-targeted push notifications, and limited-edition seasonal campaigns show how digital infrastructure can scale loyalty and convenience.
Our marketing expert on the podcast unpacked SWOT analysis, AIDA, and Porter’s Five Forces in real-time. It was refreshing to see how these models, so often confined to textbooks, live and breathe in business strategy.
🎧 My key takeaway: Whether you’re artisan or algorithm-driven, success hinges on alignment — between your brand promise, customer values, and operational strategy.
Individual Assignment: Strategic Plan for Glucoregulate
Following the podcast, my next task was a solo deep dive into developing a marketing audit and strategic plan for Glucoregulate, a premium nutraceutical product aimed at blood sugar and metabolic health.
If the podcast was about stories, this assignment was about structure.
What I Explored:
- PESTLE & Porter’s Five Forces gave me a structured view of regulatory, economic, and competitive pressures — essential in a tightly controlled industry like supplements.
- Segmentation and Positioning focused the brand on wearable-tech-savvy consumers aged 35+, especially those with a proactive approach to health and longevity.
- The AIDA model came back into play, this time to map out Glucoregulate’s content-led marketing journey — using SEO, expert video content, and email nurturing to drive conversions.
- I also integrated the 7 Ps and Ansoff Matrix to explore expansion opportunities, omnichannel promotion, and positioning the product as a “smart, natural solution to blood sugar balance.”
💡 What made this project rewarding was how directly I could apply theory to a product I was already involved in. It wasn’t hypothetical — it was actionable.
Bringing It All Together: Marketing as a Muscle
From audio storytelling to analytical modelling, these two assignments helped me build marketing fluency in a hands-on, progressive way.
The Big Takeaways:
- Context is King Small bakery or global supplement — your environment, audience, and message must all be in sync.
- Digital Is Not Optional Whether it’s Instagram Reels or geo-fencing push notifications, digital strategies are now foundational.
- The Customer Isn’t a Persona — They’re a Person Good marketing goes beyond data points. It speaks to real emotions, needs, and lifestyles.
- Frameworks Are Tools, Not Crutches AIDA, SWOT, STP — they’re only effective when they’re interpreted, applied, and adapted to the real world.
Conclusion: From Dialogue to Data
This marketing module didn’t just teach me theory — it immersed me in it. First through conversation, then through strategy. From bakery ovens to supplement stacks, I’ve learned how marketing can create clarity, loyalty, and growth — even when resources or footfall are limited.
So whether you’re building a brand on trust or tech, one truth remains:
The best marketing is human, intentional, and aligned.