Picture this: You’re a 20-something, fresh out of college, broke, and trying to make it in LA. No fancy connections. No safety net. Just raw determination.
That was Rupa.
Fast forward to today—she’s raised over $500 million for nonprofits, worked with Google and MIT, and built a global network that actually gets things done. So how did she pull it off?
The Warner Bros. Story
Gif by warnerarchive on Giphy
Rupa was in her first semester at university when a guest speaker from Warner Bros. walked in. Everyone listened politely, took notes, and thanked him at the end.
But Rupa? She raised her hand and said,
“I want to work for you. How do I make that happen?”
He gave her his card. Most people would’ve stopped there. But Rupa emailed him every semester for the next three semesters.
Persistence paid off. Right before graduation, he called her in for an interview.
“That internship didn’t turn into a full-time role, but it taught me one of my most important lessons—follow up and stay in people’s orbit.”
Relationships Over Transactions
Rupa noticed something in young professionals today: many approach networking like a vending machine.
“They think, ‘I talked to this person, so now they owe me help.’ That’s not how relationships work. People can tell when you’re being transactional.”
Instead, Rupa focused on staying in touch and offering value:
✔ A quick thank-you note after a coffee chat.
✔ Sharing updates about her journey.
✔ Reaching out just to say, “This reminded me of our conversation.”
“Sometimes, it’s not about getting anything right now. It’s about planting seeds for the future.”
Why It Works
When Rupa launched a global AI education summit at MIT, she didn’t cold call speakers. She tapped her existing network—people she’d nurtured relationships with over years.
“They weren’t just contacts. They were people who knew me, trusted me, and wanted to support my work.”
The Takeaway
✅ Be persistent, not pushy.
✅ Value people for who they are, not what they can give you.
✅ Stay in touch—even when you don’t need anything.
“You’re like a vine. Attach yourself to the right people, and you’ll climb higher together.”