About Beyond Cubicles
đ˘ #BeyondCubicles is a weekly LinkedIn series created by Carolina DâSouza, born out of her own experience transitioning from a corporate career to independent consulting. Since its launch in June 2024, the series has evolved into a platform that showcases the inspiring journeys of several founders who have redefined the traditional 9-to-5.
Through authentic narratives, #BeyondCubicles highlights themes of courage, resilience, and purpose. The stories feature individuals from diverse industriesâranging from tech and education to wellness and adventureâwho share their experiences of stepping away from conventional roles to pursue passion-driven careers.Â
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⨠Note: All features in this series are unpaid and shared as a way to honor and amplify real stories of transformation.
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"We were forced to pivot multiple times."
In 2019, Barry Rodrigues made a bold decisionâhe left behind the security of a corporate paycheck to follow his passion. “I’d always wanted to be an entrepreneur, and the opportunities in the UK werenât what I was looking for,” he says.
That realization led to the launch of NexGen Digital, a marketing consultancy in the UK, focused on scaling B2B startups. But just as the business began to find its footing, the COVID pandemic hit.
“We were forced to pivot multiple times,” he explains. The challenges were immense, particularly in generating qualified leads in an unfamiliar market. “No matter how good your product is, if people donât know you exist, it’s tough to grow,” he says.
Leaving the comfort of a steady paycheck for the unpredictability of entrepreneurship was daunting. To overcome these hurdles, Barry leaned on his strengths. “I relied heavily on networking, posting valuable content on LinkedIn, and targeted outreach.” A financial cushion helped ease the pressure. “I was fortunate to have a nest egg to fall back on,” he says.
Reflecting on his journey, he highlights key lessons that shaped his approach. “Building your network is invaluable, and it’s free. Delegating tasks and seeking specialist help is an investment worth making.” His biggest takeaway? “You learn more from failure than from success.”
Today, Barry embraces both failures and successes, viewing them as critical to honing his entrepreneurial mindset. “As an entrepreneur, you have a limited runway of resourcesâyou have to prioritize and maximize what youâve got.”
His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? âBe positive, but have realistic expectations. Entrepreneurship isnât glamorousâyou need to be âbulletproofâ to handle critiques and self-doubt.”
Originally from India, Barry spent his formative years in Kuwait, lived in the US, and now calls the UK home. When not working, he indulges in his passion, “collecting watches: everything from modern chronographs to vintage diversâ, and fragrances, a love he shares with his mother, who worked in the perfume industry for over 25 years.