Hi, I’m Varun Venkatesh, a marketing strategist and storyteller at heart, with a journey that’s as unconventional as it is rewarding. It all started in college when I set out to become a Chartered Accountant. Spoiler alert: I didn’t make it past the first exam (CPT). With my dreams of finance unclear, I pivoted and joined ANZ Bank as a Finance Analyst, preparing bank guarantees for Australian customers. The work was mind-numbing, and I knew I wanted more. Then came my next experiment—filmmaking. I worked as an Assistant Director on a movie, but I quickly realized it was more of an infatuation than true passion. One fateful day, a casual conversation with a friend led me to apply to HULT International Business School in the US for a Master’s in Marketing—a field I knew little about. I said yes without overthinking, and that moment shaped the rest of my career. After a year of intense learning and homesickness, I returned to India and took up my first marketing job at an agency. It wasn’t the right fit, so I moved on, and in 2017, joined Uber Eats as part of the sales team. Selling 30% commissions to restaurants wasn’t easy, but it taught me resilience and the art of persuasion. Within months, I transitioned into the marketing team, where I truly found my groove. Uber Eats became my foundation in food tech. From strategizing campaigns to managing core markets, the experience was transformative. But when Uber was acquired by Zomato in 2020, I faced a layoff during the pandemic. It was a hard reset, but one I’m grateful for. I explored startups, working briefly with a few, before landing at UrbanPiper—a milestone role that marked my financial independence and growth. Then, life led me to talabat in Dubai, where I’ve worn many hats: leading key account campaigns, managing UAE’s marketing strategy, and now driving regional marketing across 8 MENA markets. I owe much of my success to mentors who trusted me, colleagues who supported me, and the lessons learned from every opportunity. Today, I’m here to give back. I want to share my experiences to help students, budding professionals, and anyone navigating their career paths. Whether you’re figuring out your passion, need career guidance, or want to dive into the marketing world, I’m here for you. Let’s connect, collaborate, and build your next big story together.