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🔥 Why I Walked Away From Comfort to Build Something Bigger

Here’s why I gave up security to revolutionize healthcare media.

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Hello and welcome back, we are now on the 152nd edition of Fresh Salmon, your go-to B2B marketing newsletter, which is read by 4,000 founders, marketers, sales professionals, and product managers, across the world.

Can’t believe we are already almost half way through the January.

Like many of you, I too had a moment to reflect not just the past year, but also my entire life journey.

When you decide to transition from a nearly decade-long career in Software Engineering to take on the role of a marketing intern, a multitude of changes and challenges can arise. This significant career shift involves stepping out of your comfort.

Well, I did that!

I left my comfortable position at big tech companies like Oracle and Verizon to pursue something completely different: startups!

During that period, the majority of individuals around me were convinced that I had lost my mind.

👉 But here's the kicker: I moved to Germany from India for my startup career. I didn't even speak the language! That's how determined I was to take risks and grow.

I made the decision to join early-stage startups at a time when the general consensus was that it was far too risky to get involved with such ventures. Despite the widespread skepticism and the potential for failure, I was determined.

🤔 I even gave up my EU residency to launch a company in the US market. Talk about bold moves! (Looking back, I feel, I was too naive!)

🏁 And now, in the July of 2024, I walked away from a full time job to start my own company: TopHealth.

Reflecting on my journey, I realized these 4 life lessons:

1. You are the architect of your life. Don't let anyone else dictate your path. If something feels right to you, go for it, even if it sounds crazy to others.

2. Get comfortable with discomfort. Lean into risky opportunities because they often lead to the biggest rewards. Failure is just another opportunity to grow.

3. Sometimes stepping back is necessary to move forward. I chose to become a marketing intern instead of an Engineering Manager, and it propelled my marketing career to new heights.

4. There is no right time for entrepreneurship. You jump into it, when you feel it's for you - it is not a competition, run your own race. And then you just do it!

💪 So here's my final advice to you:

Do what is good for your soul ❤️

Embrace change, chase your dreams, and don't let fear hold you back.

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Why I Walked Away From Comfort to Build TopHealth

In July 2024, I made the boldest move of my career. I walked away from my full time job. And I did it to start TopHealth.

Why? Because of two big realizations that hit me like a ton of bricks.

Realization #1: Healthcare Deserves Its Own Media Network

After over a decade working in healthcare, one frustration became impossible to ignore: there’s no exclusive media network for healthcare professionals, innovators, and companies.

Sure, we have YouTube and social media platforms, but these are broad, noisy spaces where healthcare stories often get buried under memes, cat videos, and viral dance challenges.

Healthcare, with its unique challenges and opportunities, needs something focused—a platform built just for it. And to be clear, it’s not the latest news, it’s insights.

A place where thought leaders can share ideas. Where innovation can shine. Where the people shaping healthcare’s future can connect with their audience in ways that truly resonate.

Realization #2: Healthcare Marketing Is Stuck in the Past

The second realization was even more personal. After years of leading marketing for venture-backed healthcare companies, I knew firsthand that marketing in healthcare wasn’t keeping up with the rest of the world.

Anytime you ask a healthcare marketer their marketing channels, the best answers will start with paid ads and end with trade shows. That’s it!

Think about it: marketing has evolved. Today, a brand’s first impression isn’t made through a Google search, it’s made through a social media clip.

In other industries, storytelling has become the cornerstone of how brands are built and trust is earned. But healthcare? We’re still stuck in the brochure era.

That’s when it hit me: what if we could change that?

Building TopHealth: Where Storytelling Meets Strategy

At TopHealth, we’re doing exactly that. We’re bringing this new wave of marketing to healthcare, one story at a time.

Over the last decade, I’ve been privileged to work as a CMO and VP of Marketing for venture-backed startups, helping them grow to millions in revenue. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: storytelling isn’t fluff—it’s strategy.

Great storytelling isn’t just about crafting a narrative. It’s about driving impact, building trust, and, yes, growing revenue. That’s the secret sauce I’ve brought to TopHealth.

We’re working across the healthcare ecosystem — from providers to companies — to create custom media strategies that not only elevate brands but build actual sales pipelines.

A Vision for the Future

This is the vision behind TopHealth: a media network that disrupts traditional healthcare marketing.

A network that elevates voices. Connects brands with their audience. And inspires trust through stories that matter.

We’re not just shaking up the status quo — we’re redefining it.

So, here’s to bold moves, big dreams, and the belief that healthcare deserves better. Here’s to TopHealth.

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Interesting Thing That I Noticed This Week

I very strongly support this point of view . . . .

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Tweet That I Posted This Week

This concludes this edition of Fresh Salmon. And once again….

Do what is good for your soul ❤️

All the best,

Vivek

PS. Whenever you are ready, here are 3 ways in which I can help you and your business:

#1: B2B Marketing Consulting and Go-To-Market Advisory for your business.

#2: 1-on-1 Personal Coaching and Mentoring on anything related to Marketing and Go-To-Market Strategies for you.

#3: Promoting you or your brand via this newsletter.

For any of these things just shoot me a reply, and we will arrange a time to chat.