Sakshi Jalan, Head of Success at Limelight Marketing Systems, didn't take the traditional path into marketing — she started in hospitality in Mumbai before relocating to Toronto and rebuilding her career from scratch. In this episode, she shares how skills like reading a room and staying composed under pressure translated directly into successful account management and client relationships.

Sakshi opens up about the reality of job hunting in a new country — including 10 final-round interviews before landing her first roles — and how she learned to frame her international experience as an asset rather than a liability. She also dives into why storytelling is the most valuable skill in marketing today, the biggest mistake SMB owners make before launching campaigns, and how she builds long-term client trust through proactive honesty.

The conversation covers practical strategies for audience segmentation without overcomplicating systems, how to maintain a consistent publishing rhythm without becoming repetitive, and what actually makes email marketing programs perform. Sakshi also shares her perspective on where AI genuinely helps in account management and campaign delivery — and where human judgment and accountability still can't be replaced.

Rounding out the episode, Sakshi discusses balancing personalization with authentic brand voice, rethinking attribution beyond last-click models, and the mindset that's helped her stay grounded through multiple career reinventions.

Whether you're an agency owner, marketer, or small business owner trying to build real client relationships, this episode is full of grounded, experience-based insight you can apply right away.

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In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 - 00:57: Introduction

00:57 - 02:31: From Hospitality to Marketing

02:31 - 04:45: Rebuilding a Career in Toronto

04:45 - 06:14: Why Storytelling Wins Clients

06:14 - 07:43: Biggest SMB Marketing Mistakes

07:43 - 09:04: Building Long-Term Client Trust

09:04 - 10:21: Simple Audience Segmentation

10:21 - 12:03: Staying Consistent Without Repetition

12:03 - 13:45: What Makes Email Marketing Work

13:45 - 15:13: Where AI Helps and Where It Doesn't

15:13 - 16:22: Personalization vs Authentic Brand Voice

16:22 - 18:46: Rethinking Marketing Attribution

18:46 - 20:25: Lessons From Career Reinvention

20:25 - 21:52: Podcasting and Staying Current

21:52 - 24:00: Closing Thoughts

 Connect with Sakshi Jalan

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/sakshiijalan

 limelightmarketingsystems.com

 FOLLOW US

Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./