The Hustle Before the Shift (Sales to Digital Marketing)
For years, I was out in the field, pitching B2B services, meeting decision-makers face-to-face, and closing deals the traditional way. The grind taught me the art of persuasion and client relationship building, but it was mentally and physically exhausting.
When I began my MBA, I thought I was ready to take a step back and recalibrate. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The Phone Call That Changed Everything
One quiet evening, I got a call from Mr. Soni, a former client from my IndiaMART days.
“Abhishek, hamara social media handle kar doge kya?
It sounded like a straightforward freelance gig. I said yes.
I needed something part-time that wouldn’t clash with my MBA — just some Instagram posts, maybe a few captions. Easy enough. Or so I thought.
The Hidden Opportunity in a Niche Market
Mr. Soni ran a unique factory in Indore that produced real human hair wigs — a rare offering in India, especially in the digital space.
As I took charge of their Instagram and Facebook marketing, I noticed a glaring gap: nobody was selling premium human hair wigs online. The market was invisible. The demand existed — but supply hadn’t caught up digitally.
Jokingly, I asked, “Why don’t we sell on Amazon and eBay?”
Surprisingly, he said yes.
Becoming India’s First Online Wig Seller
That one suggestion sparked a revolution.
From scratch, I built the brand’s digital presence:
- Got Amazon and eBay seller approvals
- Created SEO-optimized product listings
- Learned product photography, shipping logistics, and international customer support
We soon became India’s first major digital seller of real human hair wigs. Flipkart and Paytm followed. What began as a trickle turned into a flood of orders.
The Birth of Joker Wigs: Building a D2C eCommerce Brand
Success gave me the confidence to pitch something bigger:
“Let’s build our own brand.”
That’s how Joker Wigs was born.
With zero formal web development training, I taught myself WordPress and WooCommerce via YouTube tutorials. After sleepless nights, JokerWigs.in & jokerWigs.com went live.
But I knew a website was just the start. I dived into:
- Google Ads and Meta Ads (Facebook + Instagram)
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Analytics and remarketing
- Influencer outreach and hashtag strategy
My Self-Taught Digital MBA
This wasn’t theory. It was real-world performance marketing.
From launching campaigns to handling returns, I became a full-stack digital growth expert. This hands-on hustle gave me deeper insight than any MBA classroom ever could.
Then came another challenge.
“Abhishek, we need a ₹1 crore manufacturing grant proposal.”
Deep Research & A National Recognition
To build a world-class plan, I explored the global wig industry:
- How Tirupati Balaji temple auctions human hair
- How Qingdao in China dominates global manufacturing
- The temple-to-retail supply chain of wigs and hair extensions
I built an investor-grade pitch deck with complete business strategy, cost margins, export analysis, and brand positioning.
While the VC funding didn’t happen, the plan was shortlisted at Make in India, Mumbai — a huge milestone.
Moving to Pune: The Next Chapter
By the end of my MBA, I wasn’t just a Post graduate — I was:
- A digital marketing strategist
- An eCommerce brand builder
- A SEO and ads expert
- A growth hacker in every sense
But I also realized something else: Indore wasn’t enough anymore.
I needed a bigger playground. So I packed my bags and moved to Pune, ready to level up in the digital marketing industry.
Lessons That Changed My Life (And Can Change Yours)
- Small opportunities create big impact – That social media gig changed my life.
- Learn by doing, not memorizing – YouTube was my mentor, real business was my classroom.
- Digital marketing is a mindset – It’s about testing, optimizing, and constantly evolving.
- Your environment defines your growth – If your city, circle, or role can’t push you, change it.
What’s Next?
This was just Part 1 of my journey.
In the next blog, I’ll take you behind the scenes of my corporate journey in Pune — from building systems to working with global brands, and learning from mentors who raised the bar.
Want to Grow Your Career or Business in Digital Marketing?
Whether you’re a student, solopreneur, or startup founder — if you’re looking to build, grow, or scale online:
Let’s connect
I help brands grow with full-stack digital marketing
SEO | Meta Ads | Google Ads | eCommerce Strategy | D2C Growth
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