For many young professionals, landing a high-paying tech job is considered the biggest part of the career. Moving away from stability, especially when the combined annual salary is ₹35 lakh, may seem impossible. But Muskaan Mittal and Aashish Gupta chose exactly that. The two left their well-paying tech jobs to become full-time creatives. What started as a travel video on a holiday in Vietnam has now grown into a business that is said to have made more than ₹1 crore in one year. Their journey shows how India’s fast-growing economy is opening up new career opportunities – and shows the risk, persistence and entrepreneurial skills needed to succeed.
A software developer and data analyst quit his job to build a ₹ 1 crore manufacturing business. (Photo: IG)
From programmer and data analyst to full-time developer
Before becoming social media agents, Muskaan and Aashish worked in technology. According to the family, Muskaan worked as a software developer earning an annual salary of around ₹ 23 lakh, while Aashish worked as a data analyst, earning around ₹ 12 lakh per annum. Together, they earn around ₹ 35 lakh a year, a level of financial security that many professionals aspire to achieve. Their creative journey began unexpectedly. While in Vietnam, they recorded parts of their trip and posted a video online. The video is said to have crossed 20,000 views, encouraging them to try their hand at digital content as well. Initially, content creation remained a side project alongside their regular work.
Their first collaboration earned only ₹15,000
The couple began producing regularly in May 2023. For several months, money was scarce. Their first paid contract is said to have come in October 2023, paying them R15,000. Despite balancing important business operations and manufacturing, they continued to deliver. By the end of their first year, they reportedly earned around ₹ 6.5 lakh through brand partnerships and other creative opportunities. Although their earnings were much lower than their corporate salaries, it gave them confidence that manufacturing could be a sustainable career.
Big decision: leaving the corporate world
In in 2024Muskaan and Aashish decided to quit their current jobs and become full-time creatives. The move came with a lot of uncertainty. Unlike salaried jobs, the creator’s economy does not provide a guaranteed monthly income. Earnings are based on audience engagement, brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, digital marketing and other revenue streams that can fluctuate throughout the year. According to the couple, their first full year as professional producers was a turning point. They signed with a production agency, developed affiliate marketing and organized their first group tour for fans. By the end of 2024, he claimed to have earned around ₹ 45.3 lakh, more than the combined salary earned in the technology sector.
Crossing the ₹ 1 crore mark
The next year was another big leap. The couple decided to leave their management agency after realizing they were not worth it and started managing relationships on their own. They have evolved their fundraising strategies by focusing on:
- Brand compatibility
- Business partners
- YouTube and Facebook make money
- Digital products
- Group travel experiences
According to the figures they shared, this helped them generate ₹ 1.09 crore in 2025. For the first four months of this year alone, he said he has already earned ₹ 21.6 lakh, while clarifying that these figures represent total revenue and do not account for business expenses.
Creative wealth is more than media fame
Stories like Muskaan’s and Aashish’s show an important shift in working conditions in India. Content creators today are building more businesses than just relying on viral videos. Revenue can come from a number of sources, including advertising, sponsorships, affiliate commissions, digital products, memberships, workshops and travel experiences. However, success is rare. The pair spent months in development before landing their first paying contract, and even after quitting their jobs, they continued to experiment with different types of business before finding sustainable growth.
What students and young professionals can learn
Muskaan and Aashish’s journey is not just about quitting corporate jobs. It shows the importance of testing an idea before taking a big career risk. Instead of quitting right away, they built their audience while continuing their full-time job, gained valuable experience, raised startup capital and eventually turned it into a full-time business. Their story also shows that content creation today requires more skill than video production. Marketing, branding, communication, audience engagement, financial planning and business development all play an important role. As India’s digital economy continues to grow, ecosystem services are on the rise – but they require just as much flexibility, adaptability and patience as technology. For students considering non-career options, their experiences serve as a reminder that success often comes not from following a passion, but from building sustainable skills and being passionate about business. Disclaimer: This article is based on information shared publicly By Muskaan Mittal and Aashish Gupta via their social media accounts. The amounts quoted are self-reported by the issuers and have not been independently verified by The Times of India. Earnings can represent the total income before expenses, taxes and other business expenses. This article is for informational purposes only.