Freelancing, Gaming, Internships & Growth

Freelancing has been the highlight of my career - it’s something I pursued on my own as a hobby, often sacrificing sleep for the entrepreneurial lessons it taught me in managing brands, websites, projects, and people. It was also the strongest factor in my acceptance to Cornell.

To make this page easier to navigate, here’s a quick summary of what I cover below:

🔹 From Hobby to Business: Started with Instagram for fun, scaled into managing multiple big pages, learning the ins and outs of digital monetization.

🔹 Automation & Scaling: Built a network of 11 rural freelancers to manage content, automate processes, and scale operations.

🔹 Marketing & Growth Strategies: Ran trend-based campaigns, leveraging Instagram Reels and influencer collaborations to drive viral promotions.

🔹 Clients & Revenue Models: Designed performance-based marketing packages for businesses, ensuring results or money-back guarantees.

🔹 Beyond Social Media: Explored Shopify, affiliate marketing, reselling social media services, and even pitched local businesses in-person.

🔹 Failures & Lessons: Invested in a phishing prevention solution that failed, but every setback led to invaluable learning.

🔹 Legacy & Recognition: Sold most of my pages before Cornell, but kept one, followed by footballer Marcelo & his son, Enzo, as a reminder of the journey.

Detailed experiences follow below, with attached screenshots as supporting evidence, including chats with Marcelo & Enzo

Detailed Narrative:

It all started with randomly posting on Instagram. I was doing it for fun and before I knew it, I was managing multiple big pages. It was a step into the world of paid promotions, studying successful creators, and discovering how people were earning money in ways I hadn’t even imagined. Curiosity caught me and I kept learning about different ways people were utilizing big Instagram pages, and it was endless - blogs, affiliate marketing, selling courses, flipping accounts, shopify, trading and what not. It was overwhelming at first, a flood of information, but I kept exploring, learning, and experimenting.

As I grew, I connected with other page owners, influencers, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs. I also discovered the untapped potential of rural freelancers in India. These were skilled individuals who could handle tasks like coding, video editing, presentations, or posting content for a fraction of what it might cost elsewhere. For example, it’s so easy to find someone willing to post daily for an entire month for just 500 INR (about $6). This changes everything.

Instead of doing everything myself, I began automating processes. I created content in bulk and handed it over to these freelancers to post daily. Later, I took it a step further and gave my pages to other page owners who could manage promotions. They got a ready-made platform to work on, while I retained ownership and shared half of the profits. This model allowed me to scale efficiently and focus on growing my network and resources.

This was just one example, but I dived into almost all categories and applied same automating concept, some experiments worked brilliantly, while others didn’t earn a dime. But every attempt taught me something new. The biggest highlight? I built a team of 11 rural freelancers, each skilled in different tasks. I also established connections with influencers, ranging from undervalued creators to big celebrities, and mastered Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and owned a reseller’s social media marketing panel. Combining these resources, I started offering tailored marketing packages to small and mid-sized companies in India.

What made this venture so successful? I understood the power of trends. During the early days of Instagram Reels, trends would go viral with minimal effort. I leveraged this by creating campaigns that tied viral trends to my clients' products. For instance, I’d find a popular trend like “popping veins,” identify the right influencer, and script a video that seamlessly connected the trend to the product. Back then, such campaigns were rare, especially for small businesses. Imagine spending just 5,000 INR on a reel promotion and seeing it go viral, it was a game-changer. For more on this, you can check my Psuedo Marketing Campaigns section (I have mentioned few short suggestions with emphasis on using trends).

As my network grew, I started offering customized packages with guaranteed results. If I didn’t hit the minimum promised outcome, the client would get their money back. If the campaign exceeded expectations, everyone benefited. I never had to return a dime because I carefully selected products, planned campaigns, and estimated results with precision.

To get clients, I leveraged my network built through Instagram pages. At Cornell, I remember spending weeks in lectures about the importance of networking. Freelancing had already taught me this lesson. It’s where I learnt things practically without knowing the terminologies. I didn’t know terms like “cold emailing” back then, but I was already using it to pitch to brands. I also used unconventional methods to find clients. I remember riding my activa after dinner, visiting street food vendors, and pitching Instagram promotions. Street food reels were trending in India, and I capitalized on it. I had a good campaign idea for local game zones, and I approached almost all of them in my city, convinced one owner zone and the idea was to organize tournaments and use it for promotion, which not only brought in revenue but also created promotional content that went viral.

I even experimented with Shopify. While it didn’t make much, it wasn’t a loss either. Of course, not everything was a success. I once worked with a developer and invested heavily in a phishing prevention solution that didn’t work out, resulting in a financial loss and I guess this was the biggest one out of all the others. Failed, but the space I explored helped me in other ways and that was the great part about freelancing. The more you try, the more you reach further even if it’s a failure.

What I loved most about freelancing was the creativity and innovation it allowed. It’s insanely unorganized and has an unimaginable number of hurdles. Trust is one, how do you ensure payment without getting scammed? Every collaboration required analytical thinking, evaluating skills, identifying red flags, and making informed decisions without guarantees.

When I got into Cornell, I sold most of my pages, but I kept one, which is followed by Marcelo, the famous footballer, and his son, Enzo. It’s a reminder of where I started and how far I have come. Thanks to freelancing, I know doubt is natural and trust must be earned. Even though I am attaching some random images from the past below, I’d be happy to expand on any of the mentioned topic with supporting results/evidence if required.

the page I still have

context - he liked the post instantly when I pointed it out

the page I still have

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This journey wasn’t just about profitability. It was about diving into an ocean of opportunities, keeping curiosity alive, learning from every experience, and growing with every step. I am proud of the person freelancing has shaped me into.

Gaming: My First Real Internship

For me, my first real internship took place in the world of gaming. I spent years immersed in competitive play, mostly in Valorant (one of the most talked-about games at the time), where I reached the Immortal rank, putting me in the top 1% of players. This journey wasn’t just about entertainment, it was an intense learning experience that shaped who I am today.

While taking leadership courses at Cornell, I realized I had already been applying those concepts in far more complex ways in games. Climbing to the top ranks wasn’t only about individual skill. It involved understanding every teammate’s strengths and weaknesses, whether they were my close friends or random strangers. Despite everyone sharing the common goal of winning, not everyone is equally invested, just like a workplace. Figuring out how to balance everyone’s abilities without overestimating or underestimating them were the practical leadership lessons. Gaming is a place where you have to fulfill the role of a leader to climb higher but bossing people around rarely gets results. Instead earning their trust, valuing their ideas, and coordinating strategies fosters real success.

Of course, losing is part of the process - both in gaming and in life. I have been on plenty of losing streaks, watching weeks of progress slip away in a single day. It was frustrating, but every loss urged me to reevaluate my approach and come back stronger. That resilience became my greatest ally. I learned that bouncing back is crucial and persistence pays off.

Gaming also brought out my competitive spirit. Some players would join “unrated” matches just to unwind and have fun without worrying about winning or losing. But for me, once I hit that “Start” button, I was all in. The game itself was already fun, so I saw no reason to hold back or treat it as a casual pastime. This mindset pushed me to be both passionate about the process and results oriented.

Over time, I realized life often throws us into situations where we have seconds to make crucial decisions. Gaming drilled this skill into me, teaching me to weigh my options and predict outcomes in real time. Just as importantly, gaming taught me that no matter how good you are, success is almost impossible without teamwork. You have to divide responsibilities, share important updates, and support teammates who might be struggling. Good communication and collaboration keep the team moving forward. And exactly this was one of the part of my leadership course’s syllabus this semester.

Sometimes the obvious path doesn’t work, and gaming gave me the freedom to think outside the box. When resources are limited or unexpected obstacles pop up, creative problem-solving is key. I discovered how to shift perspectives and experiment with new ideas, skills that are just as important in professional settings. You can’t do the same thing every single day and expect to climb higher. You need to keep learning, trying new strategies, and actually putting them into practice.

There’s a common stereotype that gamers are just wasting time. In reality, serious gamers follow a strict structure and discipline to improve. It’s about setting goals, practicing regularly, and balancing your personal life with your in-game aspirations. For me, this meant learning to manage my time well. I never let gaming get in the way of my responsibilities. I prioritized what needed to be done, whether it was studying or practicing specific in-game skills, and stuck to that plan.

Now, when I look back on those countless hours spent on my computer, I see the lessons on communication, resilience, creativity, and leadership that shaped my mindset. I call gaming my “internship” because it truly felt like a hands-on crash course in problem-solving and teamwork.

So, if anyone ever says gaming is just a waste of time, I smile. Because for me, it was a remarkable place to learn and evolve.

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During my internship journey, I had the rare chance to see both ends of the spectrum. On one hand, I worked at a small software development company, Brainybeam, where my tasks weren’t strictly defined. I often had to come up with ideas on my own, like leveraging client case studies for marketing, something the company had never tried before. Through these initiatives, I learned how to enhance client experiences and increase customer retention. I also discovered that working with minimal structure pushed me to become more resourceful and self-driven.

On the other hand, I interned at Zydus, a top Indian pharmaceutical company known for having one of the finest office buildings in the country. There, I joined the projects department, which was filled with experienced managers and professionals responsible for high-level decisions. I was handed tools like Tableau and Microsoft Power Automate, though all I initially knew was Excel. Still, whenever I was asked if I could handle a new task, I answered, “Yes, sir, I will do it,” and I meant it. This can-do attitude, along with my ability to learn quickly, earned me Linkedin Recommendations from the Deputy General Manager and the General Manager. Before long, I was also helping with technical troubleshooting, duties typically reserved for the IT team. Being the son of an IT manager and having a background in computer science had prepared me to fix a variety of tech problems, from speeding up slow laptops to integrating Microsoft To Do with existing Microsoft solutions.

Looking back, I am grateful for the variety these two internships offered. Brainybeam taught me to take ownership of projects and think creatively in a less structured setting. Zydus, meanwhile, showed me how large organizations operate at a high level and how crucial it is to adapt fast and collaborate effectively. Experiencing both environments shaped my mindset, allowing me to blend strategic thinking with a hands-on approach.

During my time at Indus University, I was fortunate to learn from incredible mentors who believed in my potential. One of them was Dr. Sheetal Pandya. She showed me how data science could boost my social media marketing work, and her guidance changed the way I thought about technology. Recognizing my creativity and dedication, she wrote a strong letter of recommendation for my Cornell application and even shared a LinkedIn recommendation that praised my marketing acumen, something I am still very grateful for.

During my four years at Indus, I tried to make every connection count - teachers, the HOD, the Director, classmates, alumni - everyone. I enjoyed hearing that people felt I had a positive influence on them. My mentor, Professor Madhvi Bera, in her letter of recommendation wrote, “In addition to his exceptional academic abilities, Dhruv is a humble and well-liked individual among his peers. He is an excellent communicator, and his presence has a positive impact on those around him.” Hearing such words was humbling and reminded me why I valued my time at Indus so much. Even the Director himself acknowledged my positive impact in a LinkedIn recommendation, which still feels surreal. Additionally, I am attaching a screenshot of a mail from one of the professors who believed in me.

Moments like these made me realize the strength of the Indus community and how much the relationships I formed there truly mattered. And while I found that coding isn’t something that interests me, I discovered the power of blending creativity and technical understanding, which has been invaluable in fueling my passion for products, where technical knowledge is a key skill.

I have always been a huge believer in self-learning. Even before reading Atomic Habits, I had already started focusing on smaller habits, and the book simply reinforced the approach I was taking. (I have shared more about my small routines and discipline on my “discipline page.”)

Every day, I surround myself with learning content to stay in the right mindset. While I am brushing my teeth, working out, or eating breakfast, I will listen to podcasts about product management, marketing, GTM strategies, case studies and all. Later in the day, on my way back from college or during dinner, I switch to more strategic videos that help me learn new skills or tools.

Thanks to my freelancing journey, this has become a habit because I can say that I earned only by keeping up with new things, learning as much as I could, and leveraging that knowledge to make money out of it.

When it comes to courses, I have found Coursera to be a great platform. I have completed several courses there (more than the ones I have listed on my resume), but paying for every certificate isn’t always budget friendly. Right now, I am looking into the Product Marketing Alliance’s PMM certification. I still need to research whether it’s worth the cost, but it seems promising.

One Coursera course that really stood out to me was Problem Solving with Excel by PwC. It was completely worth it because the projects were well-designed for practical, hands-on execution. It felt like I was truly applying what I learned to real-world scenarios, which is exactly what I look for in any self-learning experience.

DHRUV