Life @ a Startup!
Image Source: Financial Express
It was June 2018 when I decided to quit one of the largest PR agencies in the world to join a startup. Banking on the trust and intuition element, I decided to become one of the supporters to the dream, the company’s founder Chetan Mahajan had visioned. Little did I know that the journey I was about to embark upon would be one of the most challenging and cherished ones.
My journey with The Mavericks began just like any other new job. I spent time understanding the culture of the company and trying my best to fit in. Before I knew it, I had built strong connections with my colleagues and reporting managers. Connections that went way beyond work.
What most veterans have to offer, apart from the experience they bring to the table, is the humility and patience to let you understand the industry. They provide you with freedom. Freedom to not just learn, but to make mistakes. Mistakes that they proudly highlight as your learning curve. Mistakes that they help you correct while standing strong behind you, letting you know they have your back.
My love for influencer marketing took wings with The Mavericks, where I could explore my creativity and help our much beloved clients make their mark within the influencer community.
A startup is one of those spaces that offers immense flexibility as well. Within eight months of joining at The Mavericks, I was given a chance to move to Delhi to lead influencer marketing for one of my favorite brands Fabindia. What I did not know at that point was that my move to Delhi would be teaching me things on a personal front as well.
From hunting for a house, understanding rent agreements, electricity bills, pest control, appliances servicing, laundry, taxes, budgeting, making payments, learning to cook, being prepared for payments to be made every month, traveling across cities on work, leading a presentation on influencer marketing to an entire team of 25, to building friendships at work, I did it all. Multi-tasking was seen at its best here!
During every travel on work, the culture at Mavericks was such that we did not book hotels, but chose to stay at our colleague’s houses. We got to spend time with them outside work, met their families, bonded with them over dinner tables at homes, and this only strengthened our relationships at work.
I’ve been lucky enough to find role models and mentors in the founders and reporting managers, who have taken a keen interest in my growth. They ensured my personal life was at peace, helped me make time for family holidays, wedding plans, medical emergencies and more.
One of the biggest advantages of working in a startup is never ending learning. Learning that is not restricted to work. Late nights spent in the office working on pitches, munching away on subway sandwiches and throwing around creative ideas is what kept me going.
Today, when I look back and think of the one and a half years spent at The Mavericks, I realise everything a startup has given me. At the time of joining I had absolutely no idea of the immense knowledge I would gain by joining one.
Crucial aspect millennials and Gen Z should know is that your tasks at a startup goes beyond your job description. You will be challenged to learn things you had no idea you had to learn because you’re not working in silos or with blinkers. And, this helps you grow both personally and professionally and shapes your personality to be someone who is willing to take responsibility for outcomes than just tasks
For someone who loves challenges, likes to get their hands dirty, is willing to make mistakes, has the courage and willingness to laugh, learn and come out rising with a smile, you will love to be at a startup!
