When Sanjay Chakraborty walked into his first job at the age of 22, he wasn’t welcomed with handshakes and applause. The first word he heard was blunt and cutting: “Get out.”
“I went to my boss’s cabin and said ‘Good morning’, he said ‘Get Out’. I tried to recall what mistake I made, but then he explained to wish Good Morning as I really meant it, in a high, energetic tone and not just for the sake of saying, this was done to teach me, as he really meant to teach me my very first lesson as I walked in.”
For many people, that would have been the end of their dream career. For Sanjay, it was the beginning of his journey. It shaped him into one of Gujarat’s most respected voices in communication, branding, and mentorship.
“I am thankful for all the people who were harsh to me. I am who I am because of that. Every experience was worth it.” Says Sanjay Chakraborty, Founder & Chief Marketing Communication Advisor ESS-K-SEE Consultancy
From Sales to Advertising: A Journey of Constant Learning
Sanjay’s career began in sales with a British company known for its strict rules. There, missing targets could lead to losing jobs immediately. It was difficult to survive, but it taught him lessons for his career. Lessons for understanding people, buyers’ psychology, persistence, and persuasion.
“Sales experience helped me sell the creatives later. Marketing helped me understand how customers react, and that became invaluable in advertising too.” He spoke
Those early experiences planted the seeds for his shift into advertising. For Sanjay, the agency world was liberating:“The greatest thing about advertising agency life is you’re not stuck to a single mundane task. In the morning, you’re working on one thing, but by night, something completely different. In advertising, you make stories—and that’s the best part.”
Branding Beyond ‘LOGO’
One idea that Sanjay keeps repeating: Branding is much more than a logo or design.
• “Your name is a currency.” A brand’s reputation is as valuable as its product.
• “When the why is clear, the how becomes easy.” Purpose should drive every campaign.
• Don’t just focus on circulation numbers—focus on optimal utilization of resources.
• Don’t build in boardrooms. Meet the consumers you’re trying to sell to, and take their views.
• Don’t repeat what people already know. Say something novel.
For him, advertising is not fluff—it’s serious work. “Advertising is art, science, and commerce. It’s a serious profession, and everyone should respect it.”
Decoding the Gujarati Entrepreneurial Mindset
Few people understand the entrepreneurial DNA of Gujarat better than Sanjay. His observation is sharp and witty:
“Gujaratis might not be academically highly qualified, but they know how to make the literates work.”
That practicality, he believes, is why Gujarat is home tonumerous entrepreneurs. But success here comes with one golden rule: answer the question “Aapda mate su?”—what’s in it for me? If your pitch proves value for them, you’ve already won half the battle.
Mentor, Author, Speaker—A Man of Many Roles
In his career spanning over two decades, Sanjay has worn many hats: He is an Entrepreneur, Marketing Communications Advisor, Mentor, a TEDx Speaker, Columnist & Author, and a professional Quizmaster. HisTEDX talk “The Brand Called You” emphasized how not just companies but individuals also need strong brand identities.His First book, Half Glass Half Full, is a collection of 12 short stories/instances of his first job. It consists of the stories that shaped his outlook on resilience in professional life.
His next two books:
1. Marketing Tid-Bits has insightful marketing experiences and learnings, and
2. Before being on your marks, get set, go!– a handbook for media and advertising aspirants, which tells you about what is desired by the industry. It has tips and ideas to be successful in the media and advertising world.
He is known for his sharp sense of detail and curiosity. He brings the same energy to quizzes that he brings to brands.
“When you teach or mentor, you hold a huge responsibility. If you’re rejecting someone, you should also know they are worthy of something else.” He speaks
Brand Klub Gujarat: Giving Back to the Industry
In 2013, Sanjay co-founded Brand Klub Gujarat, a free and open platform for marketing and branding enthusiasts.
“Brand Klub is open and free for all; it’s my way of giving back to society,” Sanjay said.
The platform- Brand Klub Gujarat, is in its 12th year today. It has become a hub for professionals, entrepreneurs, and communication aspirants. Also, its flagship event, Brand Fest, brings together India’s top industry dignitaries. They have discussions, workshops, and even live quizzes hosted by Sanjay himself.
It’s more than just a community—it’s a movement that nurtures the branding culture of Gujarat.
“If someone’s hungry, don’t just give them fish, teach them to fish; share your knowledge so others can learn and utilize it too.“
Evolving with Time: Reverse Mentoring
“You cannot keep blaming Gen Z; you have to evolve that way. We also do reverse mentoring—I learn from them.”
Being a senior consultant and spending years in the industry, he still doesn’t claim to have all the answers. In fact, he openly states that he learns from the younger, newer generation. His willingness and zeal to adapt, understand, and evolve accordingly have kept his work relevant in the industry. As we all know, the creative marketing industry changes at lightning speed.
Insights every entrepreneur should remember by Sanjay Chakraborty:
Through his journey, Sanjay has collected timeless principles for entrepreneurs and marketers:
• Don’t see branding as an expense—it’s an investment.
• Research thoroughly before entering any market. Know what similar brands are already doing.
• Don’t fall for the myth that social media is “cheaper.” No medium is a substitute for any medium; every medium is complementary to each other, and reach always comes at a price.
• Success comes from understanding how to use resources, not just knowing what resources exist.
• Above all: meet the consumer, understand the consumer insight, listen to the market, and shape your strategy around that.
The Man Behind the Brands
At the heart of it all, Sanjay remains a storyteller. His philosophy remains consistent:
“Advertising is nothing but communication. And communication, when done with clarity and honesty, can change everything.”
The Gujpreneur Takeaway
As we see a rise in Gujarat’s entrepreneurs, voices like Sanjay Chakraborty remind us that brands aren’t built in conference rooms. Brands are built in conversations with people, in communicating the relevant stories, and focusing on brand delivery externally and internally.Brand is a belief and is a promise.
Sanjay Chakraborty’s story reminds us that branding is much more than creatives or jargon-filled campaigns. Brands are all about clarity, connection, and courage. From being rejected on his first day to shaping Gujarat’s branding culture. His journey has been one of reinventions and resilience.
Perhaps that’s why Sanjay Chakraborty is not just a brand advisor. He’s a challenger, a creator, a mentor, and above them all, he is a believer that every brand has a story that awaits being told.
And that’s what Gujpreneur aims to share: stories of every brand, every entrepreneur, every business, and so much more. Keep reading!
