A Bengaluru-based entrepreneur has sparked discussion online after revealing how he adopted a foreign identity as a teenager to overcome prejudice and secure better-paying international clients.
Shirsh Bajpai, co-founder of AevyTV and popularly known as PapaOcus, shared his experience in a LinkedIn post, recounting how he built a fictional persona from the Netherlands while working as a freelance designer at the age of 17.
A workaround to online discrimination
According to Bajpai, he faced frequent discrimination from potential overseas clients who were reluctant to hire him after learning he was from India.
To overcome the bias, he created a new online identity, complete with a Western name, a fabricated backstory and an American accent.
The strategy helped him attract international clients and secure significantly higher payments for his work.
From freelance work to steady income
Bajpai said the new persona enabled him to charge more than $50 for a single thumbnail design, helping him earn nearly ₹80,000 a month while still attending college.
He found clients through social media outreach, responding to online posts and directly messaging potential customers with examples of his work.
However, he stressed that while the altered identity helped open doors, it was the quality of his work that kept clients returning.
Identity revealed after online fame
The entrepreneur recalled that the arrangement changed when his content gained wider attention after being featured by popular creator CarryMinati.
As more people discovered his real identity, he faced criticism and trolling online. Nevertheless, he believes the experience highlighted how perception can influence opportunities in global digital markets.
Social media praises determination
The post resonated with many users, who praised Bajpai’s initiative, persistence and entrepreneurial mindset.
Several commenters noted that while perception may create opportunities, long-term success depends on skill, consistency and the ability to deliver quality work.
The story has sparked broader conversations about online prejudice, freelancing and the challenges faced by young professionals navigating international markets.#Entrepreneurship #Bengaluru #Startup #Freelancing #LinkedIn #newskarnataka
