Vishnu Warrier, ‘24 MS

When I graduated with my MSBA from Arizona State University, I imagined I'd leverage my degree to advance in product management, lead innovative teams, and help build meaningful tech solutions. What I never anticipated was that one of the most impactful ideas of my career would come to me not in my Fortune 500 company's boardroom—but during a simple bedtime routine with my son.

By day, I work at a Fortune 500 company, applying the analytical skills and business acumen developed at ASU. By night, I discovered my entrepreneurial voice through an unexpected channel—children's literature. My son had just turned two, and like many parents, I found myself reading him the ABCs every night: "A is for Apple, B is for Banana, C is for Cat..." Then came the spark. As a lifelong chess player, I thought—what if C could be for Checkmate?

That moment was the genesis of AlphabetChess—a fully illustrated ABC book that introduces children to the beautiful game of chess in an accessible, engaging way. Each letter presents a vibrant chess concept: A is for Atraction, B is for Bishop, C is for Checkmate...It became my way of connecting with my son, sharing something I loved, and planting the seeds of focus, critical thinking, and strategy early in his development.

I wrote AlphaBetChess not just for my son, but for every parent who wants to introduce their children to something meaningful and empowering. Since launch, we've brought the book to classrooms, tournaments, and educational events, reaching over 5,000 children. The impact has been profound. Parents tell us it sparked a love for both reading and chess. Teachers use it to blend literacy with logic. And the children? They're learning to say "checkmate" with confidence and joy.

This project inspired me to share more of what I've learned through my career and passion for chess. I went on to author two additional books: The Chess Bible: A comprehensive guide for intermediate players (800–2000 rating) to build tactical awareness and strategic depth; Mantras for Product Managers: A practical, experience-driven handbook for aspiring product managers navigating the modern tech landscape.

At the heart of all my work is a desire to teach, to simplify, and to empower. Whether I'm helping a 4-year-old understand how a rook moves or guiding a team to ship better products, it comes down to making knowledge accessible and actionable. ASU gave me the foundation and mindset to think bigger—to lead, to innovate, and to create impact in unexpected places. AlphaBetChess wouldn't have happened without the entrepreneurial thinking I developed during my time as a Sun Devil.

Today, I live in Texas with my wife and son, who's now four and already loves chess. Watching him flip through the book that was created for him—and now reaches thousands of other children—remains one of my greatest joys. To my fellow Sun Devils: your ideas matter. Your passions matter. Sometimes, the simplest moments—a bedtime routine, a spark of curiosity—can lead to something transformative. Don't wait to feel ready. Just begin.