The Moment That Started It All

The first time I came out of Martin Place station in Sydney, it was almost sunset. The glass buildings were catching the last golden light of the day, and the streets were buzzing with people heading home. I remember standing there, watching one tall building in front of me glow like it was made of fire and glass thinking, what a beautiful skyline this is.

Never in my wildest thoughts did I imagine that months later, I’d be walking into that very same building every day not as a visitor, but as part of a team building something incredible inside it.

The Comfort Zone I Almost Never Left

Moving to Australia wasn't part of my plan. If anything, it was the last thing on my mind.

In late 2023, life in Jamnagar was comfortable and full. I had a great remote role at PushOwl, a team I admired and a product I was proud of. My parents ran a furniture business, and my mother and I had launched a small Ayurvedic brand that was slowly finding its audience.

I was earning well, surrounded by family, friends, and a routine that made sense.

So when my then fiancée got her offer from Australian Catholic University, and asked if I wanted to move with her, my natural reaction was no.

Leaving behind a thriving job, a growing side business, and everything familiar to start from scratch in a new country. It didn't sound brave. It sounded foolish.

But something about that fear stuck with me. I started asking myself, What's the worst that could happen?

Maybe I'd lose my job. Maybe my savings would run out. Maybe I'd have to start over completely.

And somehow, that thought felt freeing.

The Leap

When I finally decided to move, I didn't have a clear plan. My wife left first to begin her studies while I was still waiting on my visa. When it finally arrived after seven long months. I packed my bags and took that flight to Sydney, still pushing code for a major feature at PushOwl while sitting at the airport gate.

I landed in a country that felt vast and unfamiliar, with no friends, no network, and no idea where to begin.

The Waiting Game

For the first few months, I continued working remotely for PushOwl in the Indian timezone. My workday started at 4:30 PM and ended anywhere between 1:30 and 3 AM. By the time I'd finish, the world outside my window was completely still.

It wasn't just the time difference. It was the isolation. A new country, a new rhythm, and a gnawing sense of uncertainty.

My wife would leave early for her university classes, and I'd spend the mornings job hunting. Applying to every role that even remotely aligned with my skills. I tailored each application, crafted every cover letter to tell my story.

But more often than not, all I got were rejection emails or silence. Over 400 applications later, I was still waiting.

Some companies liked me but backed out because of my visa. Others simply never replied. Each rejection chipped away at my confidence.

There were moments when I thought about giving up engineering altogether. Maybe take up something entirely different just to get by.

But deep down, I knew I wasn't ready to give up yet.

The Breakthrough

Just when I was on the verge of letting go, I got a message from a recruiter: "Would you be open to interviewing for a company that builds headless Shopify stores?"

Three interviews later, I got the job.

That company was Liveware.

The Rebuild

Since joining Liveware, I've been continuing my journey in the Shopify ecosystem, helping shape one of the biggest pet eCommerce experiences in Australia and New Zealand.

The transition wasn't instant. I had to adjust to a new work culture, a new pace, and even new ways of thinking. But slowly, everything began to fall into place.

The same city that once felt too big started to feel familiar. The coffee shop near the office knew my order. My wife and I found our weekend routines coastal walks, grocery runs, trying new cuisines, watching NRL matches.

And somewhere in between the uncertainty, the rejections, and the endless nights of doubt life began to feel right again.

The Lesson

It's funny how life works.

The decision that once felt like the biggest risk of my life ended up being the one that brought me the most growth. I've learned more in this one year than I did in the last few combined. Not just as an engineer, but as a person.

Taking bigger bets isn't about being fearless. It's about moving forward despite fear.

Every time I step out of Martin Place station and see that same glass building, I think about that version of me, the one who once stood there, unsure of what the future held.

He'd be proud.

Here's to taking bigger bets, building meaningful things, and finding joy in the unknown.