Jones Knowles Ritchie’s former offices at 128 Albert Street, Camden Town, London.

Sometimes, the breakthrough comes just after you’re ready to give up.

Having graduated from a top UK university, I had a clear vision: a career that combined my passion for creativity and consumer behavior. I also needed to make a decent salary with real career prospects—enough to afford a bachelor pad in London, even if it was just a tiny room with a fridge, bathroom, and kitchen sink. Advertising checked all the boxes.

Freshly graduated, I was ready to take on the world. I researched the top agencies (JWT, Saatchi & Saatchi, etc.), identified graduate account coordinator roles, and started applying.

But competition was fierce. Each agency had only 2–4 graduate positions, with hundreds of applicants vying for them. After the first round, only 15–20 hopefuls were shortlisted for interviews, and fewer still made it to the final rounds.

Watch the video below to see how I turned my early setbacks into the start of my branding career.

I sent out 20 applications and got just one interview. The odds weren’t in my favor, and I knew I needed a new approach.

Fighting for a Foot in the Door

A year before I graduated, my mum bought me a book on How to Get Into Advertising. At the time, I brushed it off—I thought I had everything figured out. But as my options dwindled, I found myself reaching for that dusty book.

One recommendation stood out: contact recruitment consultants. However, there was a catch—they typically only worked with candidates who had industry experience. Despite the slim odds, I decided to give it a try.

The book suggested purchasing a directory listing of advertising recruitment agencies and cold-calling them. That’s exactly what I did.

Breaking Recruitment Rules

I spent hours calling recruitment consultants, repeating the same pitch:

"I’m looking for an entry-level account coordinator position in an ad agency. Do you have any openings?"

The responses were identical: "Sorry, we only recruit for candidates with actual experience."

Each rejection stung a little more. Until the 25th call.

The 25th Call

That call was to Wendy Braverman and Associates, and it’s one I’ll never forget.

I delivered my usual pitch, and the woman on the other end politely replied, “I’m sorry, but I don’t think we have anything that will work...” Then she paused.

In the background, I heard someone mention something to her. When she came back on the line, she said, “Actually, my colleague just flagged an entry-level account coordinator position at a branding and design agency. Are you interested?”

I had no idea what a branding and design agency was. It wasn’t the advertising world I’d envisioned, but I didn’t hesitate.

"Yes!"

After interviewing with Wendy’s team, I was off to 128 Albert Street in Camden Town to meet the agency.

Years later, I learned Wendy had become known as the “ultimate advertising yenta (matchmaker)” in the industry. It gave me goosebumps—it felt like fate had led me to her.

Recently, I read a tribute to Wendy, who had sadly passed away, and was struck by the impact she had on so many lives—mine included. Wendy didn’t just help people find jobs; she helped them find their place. Her ability to connect people to opportunities they didn’t even know existed was a true gift.

The Interview That Almost Wasn’t

Let’s recap: I was about to walk through the door at 128 Albert Street in London and interview with a firm who would become the top branding and design agency in the UK, having no clue what branding and design was.

(Note to future graduates: Please, do your research on the industry and the company before an interview. It’ll help.)

The interview was a blur of questions, many of which I had no idea how to answer. When I was asked about my thoughts on corporate identity, I thought it was something B2B-related!

It wasn’t going well.

Then, I was asked one last question:

"What’s your favourite quote?"

That one, I knew. I answered immediately:

"It’s a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done. It’s a far, far better place I go, than I have ever been."
— Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

The man who interviewed me smiled. Dickens was one of his favourite authors.

I got the job.

Some Things Aren’t Coincidence

It wasn’t just a job—it was the job. I’ll share more about it in a future post.

Looking back, I know these moments weren’t random.

My mum giving me that book.
Calling Wendy Braverman.
Being asked about my favorite quote.
Landing in the branding and design industry.

I was meant to be here.

Lessons From the Journey

That first job changed everything.

And here’s the thing: businesses go through the same journey.

Just like job seekers, brands often start with a vision, apply the conventional wisdom, and hit a wall. They struggle to break through, not because they lack potential, but because they haven’t refined their message—their true differentiator.

In the same way that Wendy connected me to the right opportunity, brands need clarity to connect with the right audience. They need to distill their core identity and communicate it with impact.

That’s what we help businesses do today—cut through the noise, refine their story, and position themselves for the opportunities they’re meant for.

If you’re feeling stuck in your brand’s journey, maybe you’re just one insight away from the right breakthrough.

Have you ever had a career moment that, in hindsight, felt like fate? I'd love to hear it!

How I Landed My First Job (and lessons learned along the way)