Hey 👋 . Cian here.

In this post I am going to delve deep into my personal and professional evolution over the past decade. Together, we will explore the pivotal moments, the highs and lows, and the profound experiences that have made me what I am today.

This journey isn’t just a chronological account of events; it’s a testament to the relentless pursuit of growth, learning, and self-discovery. Over the last 10 years, I have undergone significant transformations, both personally and professionally, and these experiences have laid the foundation for the vision and ethos that define my personal brand.

Age 15 – Learning the First Lessons of Business 🌱

When I was around 15 years old, my dad closed his air conditioning workshop in Saudi Arabia and returned to our hometown, Mala, in Kerala, India. That’s when he decided to start SP Vessels (a retail shop) as a new way to make a living and lead a different kind of lifestyle. For the next seven years, most of my holidays & weekends were spent at our Shop helping my parents with the business.

At such a young age, I didn’t perform any miracles. Sometimes, I had to work as a salesperson, and other times, I was responsible for handling the cash register. This experience gave me valuable insights into how a small business operates, its income potential, and the risks involved.

Honestly, I wasn’t thrilled about not having much free time because of the business, but I’ve come to realize how much I appreciate and am thankful for it. SP Vessels has remained the primary source of income for our family and has played a significant role in supporting me on my financial journey.

2013: A Year of Learning and Change 📈

In 2013, I was in my third year of university, and it was a year filled with both highs and lows. I tried various online jobs like posting ads and taking surveys, but I didn’t have much success. Then, I stumbled upon something called “Day Trading,” where you can buy and sell stocks on the same day to make money. Back then, I had no idea about the stock market or trading. Just like many others, I decided to give it a try using my father’s trading account, but it didn’t go well, and I ended up losing money.

But when problems come our way, we search for solutions. I was determined to find another way to make quick money without getting a traditional job. That’s when I discovered the idea of making money through ads on websites that had a lot of visitors. I had no experience in building websites, so I was looking for the easiest and most affordable way to create a site that could attract people and make money through ads. That’s when I came across the concept of WAP sites, and that was the beginning of my journey. The day I earned my first dollar from this venture was incredibly exciting, and that one dollar meant a lot to me back then (and I still value it today).

I saw this as a great opportunity and started learning more about websites and how to make money online. I learned about creating content that targets popular search terms (keywords) with a high number of searches. To rank at the top of Google’s search results, I discovered the importance of SEO, which stands for Search Engine Optimization. At first, I thought SEO was some kind of program to run, but later I realized it’s more about understanding how Google’s algorithm works and creating content that makes Google believe your website is the best answer to people’s search queries. In those days, SEO was less competitive, and it was easier to get your website to rank high in search results. The second website I built started ranking number one for many keywords, and it became a good source of income for me.

2015: Exploring Europe and New Beginnings 🇮🇹

After finishing my university studies, my plan was to go abroad, pursue a Master’s degree, and eventually find a job. I hadn’t even considered a career in digital marketing at that time, and the term wasn’t familiar to me either. However, life took an unexpected turn before I could start my chosen Master’s program at FH Achen in Germany. I won’t go into too much detail about that twist for now.

In any case, this change in my plans made me shift my focus from pursuing a Master’s for employment to seeking a visa to go abroad. That’s when I learned about Italy’s Master’s programs and the scholarship opportunities available. Moving to Italy was more than just a change of location; it turned out to be a transformative experience that expanded my horizons and strengthened my desire to become a digital nomad.

Once I arrived in Italy, my life took a different turn. It became an opportunity for me to discover myself and follow my passion, even though the word “passion” is often overused. During this time, I was just starting my journey into photography, and it felt right. I had income from my website, a scholarship from the university, support from my family, and the chance to lead a lifestyle filled with travel, photography, and enjoyment.

However, things didn’t stay the same. My websites got hacked, and I didn’t know how to recover them, nor did I have any backups. Additionally, my scholarship payments were delayed, so I had to rely on my family for financial support. Despite these challenges, I was unwilling to compromise my lifestyle. I thought life would be easy, and having some debt wouldn’t be a big deal. Looking back, I realize that was not a wise decision.

Chasing the Digital Nomad Dream and Becoming Cian Pacifico

During 2015 – 2016, I mastered a new skill: WordPress. With this I decided to start new blogs and venture into areas like travel, photography, and finance. I launched several blogs simultaneously, such as HowBucks, Vagabondist, Filmimovies, and more.
At that time, I believed I could do it all by myself and become a superhuman blogger. Additionally, I began freelancing in photography, videography, and digital marketing. My ultimate goal was to make money from these ventures and lead a digital nomad lifestyle, which was quite popular at the time. However, I ended up making very little money from each endeavor because my attention and time were divided among so many projects.
In 2017, I made a significant decision by adopting the alias ‘Cian Pacifico.’ It wasn’t just about having a catchy name; it symbolized my dreams and my commitment to establishing a unique and worldwide presence. I hoped that this name would resonate with people from different cultures and across various digital platforms.

During this period, I started watching vlogs by creators like Casey Neistat and followed crteators such as Peter McKinnon and Fun for Louis. I genuinely believed that having a life similar to Fun for Louis would be a dream come true. I even attempted to start my own vlog, hoping for miraculous success.

However, I lacked confidence in front of the camera, and it took me a long time to complete just one video. I was also worried about how people would perceive me, and unfortunately, that attempt also failed.

There were income sources available to me, and with better financial and risk management, my situation could have been different.

But a significant crisis was lurking…

The Failed Startup: “Live the Map” and a Massive Financial Burden 📍

I can’t pinpoint where the inspiration to become a startup founder came from, but I started dreaming about creating a startup that would combine my interests and use my skills in digital marketing. That’s when I conceived “Live the Map,” a platform designed to showcase carefully curated travel experiences worldwide. It primarily targeted people who enjoyed backpacking, van life, and connecting with nature.

During those days, it was all about dreaming, learning, and taking action. However, what I did wasn’t enough to even launch a Minimal Viable Product (MVP), and I ended up spending money on things that didn’t really contribute to the startup. I have to admit that I have a tendency to try and do everything by myself instead of seeking advice or help from someone who is already skilled in a particular area.

I invested my own savings and income into Live the Map and spent most of my time learning how to market it effectively for the eventual launch. It was during this time that I expanded my knowledge in other aspects of digital marketing, explored different marketing tools beyond just SEO, and delved into reading case studies. I knew that the startup game was entirely different from anything I had tried before, and I understood that I needed additional sources of income to sustain it. To support Live the Map, I took on food delivery gigs with Glovo in Milan, continued freelancing in photography and WordPress website development, and did anything that could bring in money.

This period taught me the importance of having emergency funds, diversifying income sources, and understanding the risks versus rewards. However, I also made a significant mistake by investing a substantial portion of my savings in a cryptocurrency called Bitcore, hoping for a jackpot.

To put it bluntly, my dedication to Live the Map turned my life upside down and led me into debt. In 2019, I started Mexopi Digital on the side, hoping to generate extra income to support Live the Map. Initially, Mexopi’s primary focus was on selling media and content, with web and marketing services as a secondary offering. However, in 2020, everything changed with the arrival of COVID-19.

The Pandemic’s Challenge: A Time of Reflection 😷

COVID-19 brought a global crisis, and for me, it became a personal crisis too. The shutdown of my startup wasn’t just a setback in my professional life; it made me stop and think. It led me to reflect on my choices, reevaluate my priorities, and ultimately, find the determination to build a stronger future. During this time, I also decided to move from Milan to Genova.

It was a period when I learned the value of time, the importance of discipline, and the need to let go of some people in my life. I realized how having a dedicated workspace and putting myself first were essential. Recovering from these setbacks wasn’t easy; it required a complete change in my habits and mindset. I embraced discipline and focused on building a future that wasn’t just about getting out of debt but establishing a foundation for long-lasting success.

My family played a significant role in helping me overcome the financial crisis by arranging a bank loan, which was a huge relief. I also repaid some of the money I had borrowed from an investor for Live the Map, even though the startup had to shut down.

In short, I decided to concentrate on Mexopi Digital and providing digital marketing services because it was the only viable option during the lockdown. With the extra time on my hands, I honed my skills and prepared to deliver them to the market. I also made it official by starting a private limited company in India to offer these services.

During this period, my partnerships and collaborations with like-minded individuals such as Arjun Raghunath and Tomaso Forno became crucial. They broadened my horizons, brought in fresh perspectives, and emphasized the importance of teamwork and shared vision in the business world.
The early months of Mexopi were not so good but one by one with Tomaso Forno we started acquiring local clients in Italy who wanted help with Digital Marketing during the lockdown & further..

Even though it may not have been the ideal time to join another startup, Arjun’s invitation to become a Co-founder and Digital Marketing strategist at Relaykart proved to be a game-changer. The startup’s launch and subsequent growth greatly enhanced my credibility and boosted my confidence.

Returning to Personal Finance, Trading and Investment

With the onset of COVID-19, everyone began discussing personal finance, trading, and investments. Due to my previous negative experiences in this field, I initially tried to steer clear. However, circumstances led me back into it, and this time, I learned a valuable lesson: it’s not just about the value of money, but also the value of time and focus.

Given my past experiences with trading in 2013 and cryptocurrencies in 2017, I became more committed to understanding the fundamentals and managing risks. To be honest, I managed to achieve consistently positive returns for two years. But trading demanded my full attention, and my days revolved around charts and data. Moreover, I realized that even with a 40% annual return on a four-figure capital, I couldn’t generate enough income through trading.

While I acknowledge that trading is a valuable skill, I questioned why I should choose it when I already possessed another high-income skill with lower risks and without the need for precision, mood monitoring, or constant chart analysis. Consequently, I decided to become a passive investor, relying on SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans) and occasional swing trades, while avoiding day trading, futures, and options.

Right now My strategy is to generate income through my business and invest in SIPs to outpace inflation and build wealth over time.

Expanding Our Client Base and Delivering Impressive Results

With our agency’s renewed focus and a stronger team, we embarked on a journey of adding more clients and achieving remarkable outcomes. Each successful project not only bolstered our reputation but also confirmed our shift towards a more digitally-oriented service approach.

The year 2021 began on a promising note, with our business flowing smoothly. However, what was initially planned as a relaxing 2-month vacation to India turned into an extended stay due to the onset of the second wave of COVID-19 and the subsequent travel restrictions. This unexpected turn of events put my ability to manage the business remotely and adapt to changing circumstances to the test/

My prolonged stay in India served as a stark reminder of my dependence on clients and the complexities of sustaining offline client relationships without a physical presence. This realization spurred me to delve deeper into the quest for building a more resilient and adaptable business model, capable of withstanding the uncertainties posed by geographical separation and the passage of time. This made me recogonize my Reliance on Clients and the Challenges of Remote Work 🤝
Although digital marketing and sales took center stage as my primary focus, my passion for photography endured. I chose to maintain it as a sideline endeavor, occasionally engaging in photoshoots and perhaps even organizing Airbnb experiences to nurture my connection with my creative origins.

MBA + Masters in Digital Marketing & e-commerce

In 2021, I made the decision to enroll in the ENEB Dual Masters program, which includes an MBA and a Masters in Digital Marketing & E-commerce. My aim was to align my educational background with the fields of business and marketing.

While I don’t believe that degrees are the sole proof of one’s talent, I do recognize the advantage of having authority in a particular area, especially when engaging with clients. Many times, clients inquire about my educational background, and having an engineering background while working in business and marketing can sometimes be viewed unfavorably. In simpler terms, obtaining this MBA and Masters in Digital Marketing & E-commerce serves as my certification to address one of the objections I encounter during sales calls.

Last December, I successfully completed this Dual Masters program, and I now consider it a valuable asset when dealing with individuals who place importance on educational qualifications.

Embracing the Feel-Good Business Model

Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that regardless of the niche or industry, the way you approach business holds significant importance. In my perspective, businesses can typically fall into one of three categories: the traditional way, the startup way, or the feel-good way. Choosing the right path is crucial, as it can greatly impact your overall satisfaction in life. For me, I’ve come to realize that my preferred approach is the Feel-Good Way or engaging in feel-good business.

Now, in the year 2024, as I reflect on my journey, I find that what has always felt right for me is digital marketing and sales. As I focus on building my personal brand, I intend for this to become my primary focus. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with over 50 clients, including one of my favorite YouTubers, Dan Mace, who is the Chief Creative Officer of Mr. Beast.

My current goal is crystal clear: I aim to concentrate on Digital Marketing and Digital Sales, both through my personal brand and agency. I aspire to maintain both as feel-good businesses, giving me the freedom to choose the work I take on, what I offer, and the opportunity to operate with a small, cohesive team without adhering to the startup or small business models.

A Heartfelt Thank You 🙏

Over the past decade, I’ve experienced numerous ups and downs in life. At certain points, I found myself feeling quite low, lacking confidence, and even ashamed. However, as I reflect on my journey, I’m genuinely grateful for everything that has transpired, including the Live the Map venture. Without it, I might not have acquired the valuable life and business lessons that now serve as the foundation for my current business, financial, and personal life. It provided me with the courage to persevere and not be concerned with others’ opinions about my pursuit of the things I care about.

As we step into a new year, I’m filled with excitement and determination to accomplish new goals. If your aspiration is to establish a business and you require assistance in building it, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your support and trust in my journey.