I have been into Digital marketing since 2008 and i started my first job in this industry with a startup. Now, that was the time when startups were not cool but scary (due to lack of job security), they did not used to pay that well also. But, they still guaranteed a full 24×7 hustle wherein we were supposed to be in action mode all the time. The industry was new, the product we created was one of the kind in the country however the timing was right and in business, one thing that matters the most is right time, right product (even if it is not completely finished). That hustle paved the way for my career and taught me everything i know till now, personal as well as professional. After that, i worked with great agencies like WPP, IPG, Havas network and brands like Cleartrip, General Motors, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Alchemlife etc. I even created and helped in creating a few startups and I am so proud of the kind of experience I carry now.
In Dec 2022, when my 2nd son was born, I did not know life had different plans for me. I was in a good job, making good money, a pretty decent designation and the career path looked very clear. Even though I lost my father to Covid in 2021 and the family was going through very emotional times. All the responsibilities were on my shoulders but i was pretty confident as always that i will handle it properly.
Little did I know that the very next month (Jan 2023), i will be jobless and that too for a very simple reason. It was nothing new because you loose one job and you get another plus when you have decent savings, a few of months of being jobless don’t matter much. Life was still the same. After 3 months, I landed into my 1st consultation project via referral at one of my friend’s agency. They won media mandate for one of the biggest brands in Jewllery industry of India and they kind of invested in us. It was a new agency but they The brand was good and the money was the same as that of my last job. Frequent flying, morning flights, concalls, hiring people, making my own team etc. started and i did what i do the best. What an amazing journey it was and in that very same year. I even celebrated my son’s 1st bday in full sytle.
Cut to Jan 2024, the the company i was working with decided to fire the entire team of ours and remove their investment in our agency. So, we came back to square 1. We were given a formal reason and then a list of non formal reasons also followed but that does not matter. So, now, I am jobless again for the 2nd time in the last 1 year (Jan 2023 — Jan 2024). I started looking for jobs, applying endlessly on LinkedIN, Naukri, IIMJobs, shring my CV with my industry friends, ex-colleagues and others. Initially, i was very hopeful but then on the sidelines, i also started taking consulting projects.
March 2024, I landed into a consulting project fully on my own where i got my first business on my name (no brand to back me). It was purely by the reference of Amit Bidholia (me), Another client in the 2nd month, then a few other businesses almost every quarter. The billing for each client was ofcourse not that of an MNC type but all these projects combined, I was making more than what i was making in the job. Life is again back to track but this is my own ground so a weak client tale is unaffordable. I ended up managing sales, delivery and still manage decent profitability all by myself. Life is good. By now, the savings were all gone (it was planned already) and i had bought a new car hence new EMI. My elder son has changed his school so higher fee.
Now comes Oct 2024, my 1st client decided to wrap up. It was a startup and it was a classic case of someone else offering the same services at a much lesser price than us. This was one battle I could not fight. Client no 2’s work also became less due to seasonality. On top of it, there are delivery partners who cheated, clients who did not pay and I am trying to figure out what next. Now, with these 2 main clients almost with ZERO billing, its time to convert fast. Calls, emails, whatsapp conversations sped up, meetings started happening (even at the opposite corner of NCR) but suddenly everything just stopped responding. A few very small scale projects here and there and we reach Dec’24.
Cut to Jan 2025, the last resort I had was reaching out to industry friends or ex-colleagues who started their own business to get me a role with their organizations. Now, here comes the reality check, you call them, they will pick your call, you want to meet them, they will welcome you in their office cabin and treat you well but what you end up getting from them is good coffee, good wishes (sab ho jayega bhai, don’t worry) but no work. These are the people you helped without blinking your eye. But your karma never leaves your back and here comes another consulting opportunity with a payout of 1/4th of what i was drawing and i immediately said yes to it. Its like your saving grace and there was an opportunity to build something and make more money as well.
Team is hired, strat is made and the product is being worked upon again. I am in high spirits again but every month you are slowly getting into debt. Even after you cut down significantly on a lot of important parts of your expenses, it is still not enough. Every day is a mix of emotions, the high i get from building something and the stress that comes with money not being enough. Thanks to some investments i made, they help me with some money now and then. The job search is still going on for the last 1.5 years but i have managed to survive in the toughest possible conditions.
Here are the few things I learnt over the period of time-
- Make decent investments by the time you are 35 and ensure you start getting returns from them by the time you turn 40
- People can be of any type — good, cunning, people pleaser etc. but always be good with everyone you meet. However, never expect anything from anyone no matter how much have you helped them
- You are an inspiration for someone. I recently got to know that I also inspired a few people during my life and they came and appreciated me for it. It gave me self belief that I am on a right path.
- New retirement age for corporates is 40s or mid 40s. Make sure you have a plan for yourself by this time.
- Biggest of all, your mind is your best friend and worst enemy. The real test of your will power and mental strength happens in such times only. So, focus on your physical and mental well being — exercise daily, eat clean home made food, quit daru and sutta (i did after more than 2 decades) and meditate.
- Finally, have FAITH in God. He works in mysterious ways. Believe in miracles. He will open up some door even when you don’t see any. I was spiritual earlier, now I am religious too.
- Keep your family close and together. They are your biggest pillars of strength. Invest time in your parents, wife, kids and siblings. Even friends can’t help you at times but these guys won’t ever back out.
- Now, I am doing content creation also so may be thats the path the almighty wants me to persue coz god will put you into the same situation over and over again untill you learn your lesson.
I understand that there is a set pattern of working in corporates and you are not supposed to be openly expressing whatever comes to your mind. But ab yahi hai, take it or leave it.
And yes, its not a corporate baghban…just read it and forget it. Its not gyan, its my life lesson
