Hello! Welcome to edition #52 of Fresh Salmon, your favorite B2B marketing newsletter that helps you step up your marketing game in just a few minutes.

But wait . . .This is a special edition of Fresh Salmon.

On July 17, 2022, after sitting on the idea of starting a newsletter for several years, I finally took action and published an introductory post, and officially launched Fresh Salmon!

I literally started with no audience, and absolutely ZERO subscribers on my email list. And today Fresh Salmon is read in 50 countries across the globe by world-class marketers, product managers, sales leaders, and entrepreneurs.

I must admit that my goal for writing Fresh Salmon has always been about sharing my learnings, discoveries, and experiences in the world of B2B Marketing, and helping you grow your business, build your brand, and catapult your career.

However, in today’s 1-Year Anniversary edition, I will go slightly off-topic, and share with you a very personal and vulnerable truth.

Let me take you on a journey, a journey through the depths of my own transformation. Breaking free from the chains of “service class mentality”.

I hail from India, where my father served valiantly in the Air Force, and my mother devoted her life to education. Surrounded by hardworking souls, their unwavering dedication to securing their families' futures resonated deep within me.

Saving every penny, and ensuring a safety net for the next chapter in life, were the principles etched into my being.And let me assure you, there's nothing inherently wrong with these values. In truth, they shaped me into the person I am today. 

However, buried beneath this noble pursuit of security, the flame of risk-taking flickered. Entrepreneurship was a distant, almost ethereal concept. I devoted a decade working in tech for Fortune 50 companies.But life, in its relentless twists and turns, had other plans for me. It threw me into harrowing situations that shattered the walls of complacency, awakening within me a resolute spirit—a "safety net be damned" mindset that altered my trajectory forever.I found myself launching a startup career in Germany, where I didn't even speak the language.And then, without warning, life dealt me a treacherous hand, leading me to the confines of a hospital bed, struggling to survive. At that moment, with my family and friends thousands of miles away in India, I was forced to confront the stark reality: life offers no guarantees.It was a profound realization that ignited a fire within me—a burning desire to make bold moves.From that very hospital bed, I mustered the audacity to send a cold email to the founders of a nascent startup. They were at the precipice of their journey, and I saw an opportunity to carve a niche for myself.

Miraculously, they agreed to meet, and we created a role that had never existed before.6 months later, as the winds of uncertainty swept through the company, layoffs happened. I engaged in a heartfelt conversation with the founders, persuading them to retain me.Yet, my trials were far from over. The startup found itself embroiled in the intricate regulatory landscape of the EU.

As a result, we had to shut down operations in the EU and move to the US.The founders extended an invitation—a daring proposition.

It was a pivotal moment that demanded I forsake my EU residency, taking a colossal risk as I set foot on American soil. If the venture faltered, I would be compelled to return to my homeland, India.But fortune favored the bold, and the pieces fell into place.I must admit, I am far from perfect, and risk-taking doesn't come naturally to me.

Nevertheless, I have made it my practice to defy my own limitations. It is through this relentless pursuit that I have learned to trust my instincts and embrace the unknown.Now, I share this not as a boastful account of myself, but rather as a raw and vulnerable truth.I do so with the knowledge that countless individuals like me yearn to witness such stories unfold.

So, let my words resonate with you!

Interesting Thing That I Read This Week

A great tip on fundraising from a New York VC.

Tweet That I Noticed This Week

What Do You Think?

This concludes this edition of Fresh Salmon.

I would like to hear what you thought of today's newsletter.

Also, let’s connect on Twitter, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

Cheers,

Vivek

PS. I love you ❤️