You. Are. Replaceable. Not because you’re not good enough. But because business is business. That’s just the reality of it. Teams restructure. Budgets shrink. Strategies pivot. And sometimes, even the best get let go.
Let me get one thing straight, I didn’t wake up one day, post a few Reels, and suddenly become an “entrepreneur.” This journey wasn’t just built with aesthetic pitch decks and digital buzzwords. It was built on lessons learnt the hard way: through clocking in, staying back, getting feedback that stung, and learning to play the long game.
Before I founded my content marketing agency, and before I started building a community online, I was just another guy with a 9-to-5, a CIM textbook, and a whole lot of caffeine. I didn’t come from a family of investors or influencers. What I had were corporate jobs, side hustles, a cracked iPhone, and a lot of long nights. And trust me, some of the most valuable knowledge I carry today came from those early “employee” days. So, if you’re young, in your first job, feeling stuck, wondering if that influencer you follow really did make it overnight, this one’s for you. Here are three brutally honest lessons I learnt in the corporate world, that I now carry with me into every pitch, every deal, every client call.
1
Never Leave Too Early – Loyalty Is Currency
This one is going to sting a little. We live in an era where people update their LinkedIn bio faster than their job descriptions. “New role, new me,” right? Wrong. If you keep hopping jobs like you're hopping bus routes, you’re building a reputation, and not a good one. One thing you’ll quickly learn: Colombo is small. Very small. You could sneeze in Bambalapitiya and your old manager in Battaramulla would know. If you leave too early, especially without contributing or leaving a positive impression, it doesn’t just hurt the company. It hurts your name. People talk. HR managers talk. Founders talk. And no one wants to hire someone who disappears faster than a TikTok trend. Now, don’t get me wrong. If the job is toxic or exploitative; leave. But if you're just bored or didn’t "feel the vibe," give it time. At least two months to settle. Learn. Adapt. Prove yourself. Even if it’s not the dream job — katta kāla hari innako. Show some commitment. That’s what earns trust. Because the reality is: your future clients, investors, or employers are watching, and they respect consistency over cool.
2
Don’t Stop Your Hobbies Just Because You Work a 9–5
This one’s personal. When I started working full-time, I had a choice: shut down my creative side or find a way to balance both. I chose the latter. From content creation to stand-up, music to writing — I didn’t stop. Even when I was working full-time, I was building a brand. I was learning how to express myself, market myself, and monetize myself. That was the beginning of everything. And here’s what I learnt: your hobbies are not distractions. They are investments. They teach you branding, consistency, storytelling — all core parts of marketing and entrepreneurship.
So, if your company says, “You can’t post online” or “That’s not professional” — run. You’re working for someone who fears your growth. We’re in an era where your personal brand is your most powerful resume. It’s how you attract opportunities. It’s how you pivot. It’s how you build trust, even before you speak. Keep your job, be amazing at it, but build your own thing on the side. Whether that’s content, art, coding, music, writing, gaming, whatever it is, don’t stop. Because someday, that side hustle could become your main hustle. Mine did.
3
You Are Always Replaceable — Stay Humble, Stay Sharp
You may love your company. They may even love you back. But please, understand this:
You. Are. Replaceable. Not because you’re not good enough. But because business is business. That’s just the reality of it. Teams restructure. Budgets shrink. Strategies pivot. And sometimes, even the best get let go. So, here’s what you do: never get too comfortable. Stay hungry. Stay learning. Stay humble. Don’t let promotions or praise make you think you’re untouchable. And don’t let setbacks make you feel like you're worthless. You’re always one step away from either a breakthrough — or a breakdown. Use your time in the system to build yourself. Observe how the company works. Understand client handling. Watch how crises are managed. Learn how presentations are made, deals are pitched, campaigns are launched. That knowledge will never go out of style. It’s what makes you an asset, whether you stay, switch, or start your own thing.
4
The Corporate Phase Is Not a Waste
There’s this myth going around: “You don’t need a job. Just start a business.” Look, I’m all for entrepreneurship. But if you’ve never worked for anyone, never had a boss, never had to deal with deadlines, pressure, difficult clients, or team politics, what exactly are you bringing to your own business? Working for others first gives you structure, resilience, and professionalism. It teaches you time management, people skills, and how to actually deliver on what you promise. The difference between an Instagram entrepreneur and a real one? The real one’s been in the trenches. And I was in the trenches. Corporate experience gave me the foundation. Content creation gave me the voice. Now, my company gives me the freedom. And all three phases were necessary.
So, What Should You Take Away From This?
- Stick it out. Don’t run from jobs because they’re hard. Run from jobs that don’t teach you anything.
- Keep creating. Your hobby today might become your brand tomorrow.
- Stay grounded. Never assume you're irreplaceable. But work hard enough to be unforgettable.
