Robyn Johnson’24 Supported Her Team’s Victory in the 5th Annual Battle of the Boutiques Case Competition
Meet Robyn Johnson, part-time MBA student, Class of 2024, and dedicated Questrom Undergraduate Academic Advisor. As presenter, problem solver, and project manager, Robyn supported her team’s recent victory in the Battle of the Boutiques Case Competition. Robyn, who regularly speaks to hundreds of students at a time, was a natural choice for the role of presenter. She expertly delivered her team’s solution to Newton restaurant Shaking Crab’s business challenge, and it earned them 1st place in the 5th annual Battle of the Boutiques Case Competition.
Get to Know Robyn Johnson
Robyn joined the Academic Advising Team in the Questrom Undergraduate Development Center 7 years ago. Her passion lies in helping first-year BU Questrom students navigate their academic paths and achieve their goals. She describes her role as half “logic puzzle,” putting the right pieces together so students can achieve their goals by studying abroad, graduating early, or earning double concentrations, and half “what do you want to do with your life,” supporting students in problem solving and decision making. Her recent TED-style talk on “Why You Should Ditch Your 5-Year Plan” resonates with her work, as she encourages students to embrace life’s unpredictability as they embark on their academic careers.
In addition to her advising role, Robyn is currently pursuing her MBA through Questrom’s part-time program. Her MBA journey has empowered her to expand her strategic thinking, enabling her to approach business challenges with a fresh perspective. It’s provided her with a valuable network of peers, professionals, and mentors, enhancing her opportunities for growth and development. An added benefit is being able to better connect with her advisees: “It’s kept me on my toes,” she says. “I can’t give any advice I wouldn’t be willing to take myself.”
Since 2019, Robyn has collaborated with Greg Stoller, Master Lecturer and Director of several Questrom Case Competition programs, to create more opportunities for experiential and international learning through the Global Management Experience. Most recently, they organized a trip to Singapore over Spring Break in March 2023. Greg’s encouragement also played a pivotal role in Robyn’s competition win. “I don’t think I would have participated without his encouragement,” Robyn says, and she thanks Greg not only for his partnership at work but also for his encouragement as a mentor.
How did Robyn and Her Team Win?
Each year, the Battle of the Boutiques Case Competition challenges participants to form, storm, norm, and perform over the course of just 7 days. This year’s challenge tasked teams with determining strategic direction and increasing global recognition of Newton restaurant Shaking Crab, facing high operating and labor costs. Robyn led her team with a design-thinking mindset, a concept she learned in class with Patricia Hambrick, whose teaching emphasizes that solutions depend in large part on how the original problem is defined.
Watch Robyn Johnson’s reaction to the Battle of the Boutique Case Competition here!
Given their comprehensive solution and the constraint of a five-minute presentation, their mentor, Ben Littauer, Angel Investor and Start-up Mentor, suggested sharpening their pitch through the use of online restaurant reviews as research. Ben says, “when I met with ‘Team Angel’ before their presentation, I was blown away with their word clouds from Yelp reviews. The team did a great job, and the creativity they showed was impressive.”
Robyn’s path has been defined by her passion for helping others. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition sciences from Cornell University and a master’s degree in College Student Counseling and Development from Northeastern University. Her leadership experiences, including her presidency in the College Student Development Association, have enriched her academic experience.
Robyn Johnson’s Questrom journey, from dedicated academic advisor to successful MBA student, reflects her commitment to guiding others toward their goals. Her team’s recent victory in the Battle of the Boutiques Case Competition and her insightful TED-style talk on embracing life’s unpredictability make her an inspiration in the Questrom community. To connect, visit Robyn Johnson’s LinkedIn Profile here.
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