About Beyond Cubicles
📢 #BeyondCubicles is a weekly LinkedIn series created by Carolina D’Souza, 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 industries—ranging from tech and education to wellness and adventure—who 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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“Being flexible and proactive helped me navigate hurdles."
Steve‘s passion for audio-visuals was more than just a job—it was a calling.
Working as an audio engineer in the United States, he felt constrained by the traditional job structure, and longed to fully immerse himself in his craft. This desire led him to make a bold decision: to quit and embark on a new adventure.
That adventure was moving to Dubai two years ago and launching AVL, a full-service audio-visual rental and production company.
His decision wasn’t just driven by passion; it was also fueled by a keen business sense. Steve had identified significant gaps and opportunities in the industry, and he was confident he could address these effectively. His entrepreneurial spirit and desire for independence spurred him on.
The transition from employee to entrepreneur, though, was fraught with challenges.
He had to quickly adapt, learning about the market dynamics and consumer preferences in a new region. He leveraged his network to put together a talented team, recognizing that investing in the right people was crucial for success.
Steve took market feedback seriously, constantly tweaking his pricing and cost structures to stay competitive. “Being flexible and proactive helped me navigate hurdles and lay a solid foundation for my company’s growth,” he reflects.
Through this journey, he honed his leadership and strategic decision-making skills, becoming adept at managing finances, marketing, and team dynamics.
Stepping out of his comfort zone taught him to handle uncertainty and embrace risks.
“I’ve learned more about myself, my strengths, and my weaknesses, which has helped me grow as both a business owner and a person,” says Steve, who enjoys unwinding with a good book or playing padel and football for leisure.
He attributes his success to a strong team, efficient systems, and empathy towards employees and customers.
His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is: “Have a blueprint of what you want to achieve, create a roadmap, and then muster the courage to make your mark.”