The Career Starter Kit
The Career Starter Kit
Build your career by following your curiosity and leaning into your strengths: Apoorva Maheshwari, Head of Marketing, Bestseller, India
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Build your career by following your curiosity and leaning into your strengths: Apoorva Maheshwari, Head of Marketing, Bestseller, India

Build a career based on your strengths, by following your joy; how to speak up in meetings, 4-step playbook to fast start in any role, why your reputation is the #1 Networking hack and so much more

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Apoorva Maheshwari is the Head of Marketing at Bestseller India—the company behind fashion-forward brands like Jack & Jones, Vero Moda, ONLY and Selected Homme. Over the past 15 years, she’s built a standout career at Procter & Gamble, Accor, Zivame, and now Bestseller—by playing to her strengths, following her curiosity, and taking intentional bets.

In this episode, Apoorva shares:

  • How she carved her own path—by being clear on what she didn’t want to do and following her curiosity to discover what she did

  • Why following your joy (like loving ad jingles!) can be a career clue

  • Her 4-step playbook to fast-start in any role

  • The workplace myth she no longer believes that someone else will carve your growth path for you

  • And why building a solid reputation is the #1 Networking hack

This episode is for anyone trying to figure out what they’re good at—and how to turn that into a real career advantage.

In The Career Clinic, Apoorva answers career questions from young professionals:

  • How to push back on unrealistic goals

  • How to build your network beyond your manager

  • What to do if you feel too nervous to speak up in meetings

And so much more…

Some Takeaways

1. Follow your curiosity—it’s a signal, not a detour.

Apoorva didn’t have a rigid career plan, but she did have clarity on what didn’t excite her (finance, policy) and an instinctive pull toward advertising and brand-building. She followed the joy of watching ad breaks, paid attention to what lit her up (like a visit from an HUL ASM), and used those signals to shape her career path.
🗣️“You have to follow the signals… unless you’re a fish trying to climb a wall, you won’t know you’re meant to swim.”

2. Play to your strengths—and figure them out by trying things.

Early in her career, Apoorva realized her creative flair was her strength. Over time, her choices gravitated toward categories that reward brand-building and storytelling—her natural zone of genius.

🗣️ “You have to fall and then learn what you're good at. And once you know what you're good at, you find your flow state.”

3. Be intentional about your growth— don’t wait for it to be handed to you

Apoorva emphasized the importance of self-directed growth. Waiting passively for a manager or org to pave your path leads to frustration. Instead, she suggests maxing out what you can do in a role—and then initiating the conversation about what’s next.
🗣️“You have to speak up for yourself. Growth doesn’t happen at a point in time—it happens over time, and you have to put it on the table.”

4. Your reputation is your best networking tool.

Apoorva’s not a fan of transactional networking. Instead, sherecommends showing up with consistency.

🗣️“Be known for what you do. Let your word, actions and intent, align. That alignment builds your reputation, and reputation builds your network.”

5. Your work is only as meaningful as the intention you bring to it.

Apoorva reflects that meaning at work isn’t something handed to you—it’s something you create. 🗣️“Your work will have just as much meaning as you put into it. Be intentional. Take pride in what you do. And strive for that.”


Where to find Apoorva
LinkedIn: Apoorva Maheshwari


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Time Stamps

00:00 Introducing Apoorva Maheshwari

02:55 Early Years: From SRCC to MICA

03:55 You don’t need a perfect plan. Just follow your signals

07:20 Learning the ropes at P&G

10:55 From college to corporate: Basics you need to know

12:17 Playing to your strengths: Choosing categories where brand matters

14:42 4 step play-book at fast start in any role

16:21 Confidence is built by doing hard things repeatedly

16:45 Own your growth: How to max out your role

17:55 Zivame: What a start-up experience can teach you

19:30 Start-up + Post-maternity – It takes a village

21:15 The Career Clinic: your career questions, Apoorva’s advice

22:09 How do I push back on unrealistic goals?

23:25 How do I build my network beyond my manager?

24:46 I feel too nervous to speak in meetings. What should I do?

27:05 Fast Track: Tips, hacks and mindset shifts

34:05 Final Takeaway: Your work is only as meaningful as the intention you bring to it


Referenced:

  • Poetry Pharmacy: Tried-and-True Prescriptions for the Heart, Mind and Soul by William Seaghart: https://www.amazon.in/Poetry-Pharmacy-William-Sieghart/dp/1846149541


Recording: Riverside.fm

Editing and Production: GreyLabs Media

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