introduction

Like many fresh graduates, I stood at the crossroads of uncertainty after completing my BCom Computer Application degree from Mamo College Manassey in Mukkam in 2025. At 21, my journey started back in Chakkalakkal HSS Madavoor, Kunnamangalam, where I completed my +2 in Commerce, which sparked my interest in business and technology.

Growing up, I had a front-row seat to the business world through my father’s jewelry business – a business that started almost 40 years ago when my grandfather first opened the doors. My father expanded the business by opening a second shop almost 4 years ago. Watching three generations run this gold business taught me valuable lessons about customer service, quality, and building trust. My grandfather started it, then my father took over, and the business thrived on personal relationships and reputation.

But I also noticed something fascinating – despite four decades of success and recent expansion, everything remained exactly the same. The business strategy hadn’t evolved, accounts were still maintained in notepads instead of computerized systems, and marketing was completely traditional, relying only on flex boards and sponsoring local programs. While these methods had worked for generations, I couldn’t help but think about the missed opportunities in the digital space and how much more the business could grow with modern approaches.

The corporate world felt overwhelming, and I wasn’t sure where I truly belonged. But deep down, I had this burning curiosity about how businesses connect with people online, especially after seeing how my father’s business could potentially reach so many more customers digitally. That’s when I discovered digital marketing – and it changed everything.

The Beginning: Finding My Path

During my degree, I became increasingly interested in marketing and started researching this field extensively. I spent countless hours searching for courses and classes, trying to understand which direction would be best for my career. After a lot of research and exploration, my friend came across CDA Digital Marketing Academy and suggested it to me. That recommendation changed everything – I got admission there and was ready to dive deep into the world of digital marketing.

After my BCom Computer Application degree from Mamo College, I knew I needed practical skills that would actually matter in today’s world. My background in computer applications gave me a good foundation, but I wanted to combine that technical knowledge with something more dynamic. Having grown up watching my family’s 40-year-old gold business thrive through personal relationships and word-of-mouth, I realized there was a huge opportunity to help traditional businesses like ours transition into the digital age. Here was a business with an incredible legacy, loyal customers, and quality products, but it was completely invisible online. Everything was still done the old way – accounts in notepads, no digital systems, traditional marketing methods that worked decades ago.

Traditional marketing felt limiting, but digital marketing? That was where real conversations were happening and where I could potentially transform businesses like my father’s. So I made a decision that would shape my future – I enrolled at CDA Digital Marketing Academy.

Walking into CDA for the first time, I was nervous but excited. Here I was, about to learn something completely new, surrounded by people who shared the same passion for understanding how the online world works. The academy wasn’t just about theories and textbooks – it was about real campaigns, real results, and real businesses.

Learning the Ropes

At CDA, I discovered that digital marketing isn’t just about posting on social media or running ads. It’s about understanding people – what they need, where they spend their time online, and how to reach them authentically. I learned about SEO, social media strategy, content creation, email marketing, and analytics. Each lesson felt like unlocking a new piece of a puzzle.

While my college friends had a lazy attitude towards digital marketing, thinking it was just a normal course that wouldn’t provide much knowledge or job opportunities, I started to recognize this was a huge world with so much to learn. The deeper I went, the more I realized how much this field could help increase both my knowledge and wealth. It wasn’t just another course – it was a gateway to understanding how modern business really works.

To be honest, before I started the course, I was a lazy guy who wasn’t really interested in most activities. But now I’m getting serious about everything and focusing intensely on my career. Digital marketing didn’t just teach me skills – it changed my entire attitude towards work and life. I found my passion and purpose.

The best part? I wasn’t just memorizing concepts. I was working on actual projects, analyzing real data, and seeing how small changes could make huge differences for businesses. It was fascinating to see how the right message at the right time could transform a struggling business into a thriving one.

The Vision Takes Shape

As I progressed through the program, something clicked. I realized I didn’t just want to work for someone else’s digital marketing dreams – I wanted to help traditional businesses like my father’s jewelry shops transition into the digital world. I saw so many great businesses, including family-owned ones, struggling because they didn’t know how to connect with customers online while maintaining their personal touch.

My family’s gold business was the perfect example of this challenge. Forty years of success built on trust and quality, but with accounting still done in notepads and no digital presence whatsoever. People were searching for jewelry online, comparing prices, and looking for reviews before making decisions. Yet, businesses like ours weren’t even visible in these digital conversations. That’s when the vision for my own platform started forming – I wanted to bridge this gap between traditional business excellence and digital marketing opportunities.

Building My Digital Home

Creating my portfolio website felt like the natural next step. But this wasn’t just going to be a simple resume online – I wanted it to be a true reflection of what I learned and who I became through this journey. Every section, every piece of content, and every case study would tell the story of how digital marketing can transform businesses.

Before I started the course, I didn’t know much about how social media could be used for marketing. Now, I have a complete digital presence – a portfolio website, LinkedIn account, professional Instagram account, and Facebook accounts, all set up professionally as a digital marketing learner. It’s amazing how much I’ve grown from someone who barely understood social media marketing to someone who can create and manage professional digital profiles.

The website became my digital marketing platform – a place where potential clients could see not just what I do, but how I think, how I solve problems, and the results I’ve achieved. It’s where my vision finally took concrete form.

What I Learned Along the Way

This journey taught me that digital marketing isn’t just about tools and techniques – it’s about building genuine connections. Whether I’m helping a local restaurant reach more customers or assisting a startup build their brand from scratch, it’s always about understanding people and creating value for them.

What’s remarkable is that I studied these lessons in less than one month and now I can create portfolio websites and business websites for clients. But the most significant change was in my perspective – after starting the course, I began looking at everything differently than before I started studying digital marketing. Now I see everything through the lens of a digital marketer. Every advertisement, every social media post, every business interaction makes me think about strategy, target audience, and digital opportunities.

CDA didn’t just teach me digital marketing theory; it taught me practical skills that I could immediately apply. I learned how to think strategically, how to measure what matters, and how to turn data into actionable insights. Most importantly, it showed me that with the right approach and focused learning, any business can succeed online.

Looking Forward

Today, as I work with startups and small businesses across various industries, I’m grateful for that leap of faith I took after my degree. My portfolio website isn’t just a collection of my work – it’s proof that when you combine passion with practical learning, you can create something meaningful.

Every project I take on, every campaign I run, and every result I achieve adds another chapter to this ongoing story. From vision to website, this journey has been about more than just building a career – it’s been about discovering how to help others build theirs too.

The digital world is constantly evolving, and I’m excited to keep learning, growing, and helping businesses thrive online. After all, every great brand started with someone who had a vision and the courage to make it happen.