A Storyteller with Purpose

Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve had a love for the mic.

Whether it was a poetry recitation, an elocution contest, or a fancy dress competition, I was that child on stage—loud, expressive, and full of heart. I owe a lot of that confidence to my mom. She always encouraged me to participate, to speak up, and to shine. I was also one of those “top scoring” students—academically sharp and eager to excel.

But life, as I would later learn, doesn’t always follow a straight line.

When I entered college, everything changed. The girl who once lit up every stage slowly began to fade. I became inactive, emotionally exhausted, and fell into one of the darkest phases of my life. I was depressed, suicidal, and completely lost. It felt like I was disappearing from the inside out.

Then something unexpected happened—I was chosen as the President of SAY, a youth organization. That role gave me the mic again. I started organizing events, hosting stages, and slowly stepping back into the light. Around the same time, I joined a leadership course called CLAYM by DYC. That course didn’t just sharpen my skills—it reignited the fire in me. I began speaking again, sharing again, and for the first time in a long while, I felt alive.

After graduation, though, I found myself in a strange space. I was clear about one thing: I didn’t want a regular 9–5 job. But I had no idea what I did want. I was unemployed, directionless, and questioning my worth.

People around me would often say, “You’re so good at speaking, why don’t you anchor?” or “You should become a motivational speaker.” I’d smile, nod, and brush it off. Until one day, after a quiet moment of prayer, I felt a nudge in my spirit—just a whisper telling me to start an Instagram account. No plan. No strategy. Just faith. I downloaded a picture from Pinterest and posted it.

That was 2nd December 2023—the day Emcee Shalveeta was born.

A week later, I landed my first paid event—a corporate Christmas party. They paid me ₹8,000. It might not seem like a lot, but considering I had just walked away from a teaching job where I was promised ₹6,000, then ₹5,000, and finally handed ₹4,000—it felt like a miracle. It wasn’t just about the money. That gig was a mustard seed of faith. A sign that I was walking into something real.

But for me, it has never been about the money.

This work gives me joy. It makes my soul light up. Even before I was paid for it, I would host family functions, community events—anything I could, simply because I loved it. This is more than talent. It’s an inborn gift. It’s my calling.

And a big part of why I could embrace that calling was because of DYC. Right after graduation, when I felt like I was wasting my life, DYC became my training ground. I’m especially grateful to Deacon Ivan, the director of DYC, for believing in me. That space shaped me when I needed it the most.

Since then, things haven’t slowed down. Events started pouring in—some big, some small, but each one helped me grow. In my first year alone, I hosted over 250+ events. No marketing team, no big agency backing me. Just me, my mic, and an Instagram handle.

Some events were for big names—Wilhelmsen Shipping, Pantaloons Style Up by Aditya Birla, IIJS, CitiusTech, Mespack—even hosting games and workshops for Audi, JSW, Tata AIA, and Hinduja Hospital through third-party vendors. And all of it? Word of mouth.

But hitting the next level required something I didn’t have—proof. I lacked professional videos or content. Either recordings were poorly shot, or worse, not taken at all. That gap made it difficult to break into more elite platforms—even though I had the experience.

One of my proudest moments was being featured on The Jason Show podcast. Another was hosting Kairos, a massive youth convention in Pondicherry. I stood before a crowd of over 5,000 people. It was surreal. I’ll never forget that day. It reminded me of how far I’d come—without a fancy PR team or an industry connection.

Of course, not everything has been smooth. There were gigs where I was disrespected or misjudged, unsafe moments with drunk attendees, and nights traveling long distances and returning alone. I learned to stay alert, set boundaries, and most importantly, protect my peace.

I also had to figure out the business side of things all on my own—how to quote, how to say no, how to stand my ground. I still don’t have strong ties with event companies. Most of my work has come from referrals. That’s a blessing, but also something I’m working on improving.

Despite the hurdles, I’ve always felt this strongly: I didn’t chase this dream—this dream found me. Everything that’s come my way has felt aligned. I didn’t have to force it. And I believe, if God brought me this far, He will take me even farther.

I haven’t done it alone. At every step, the right people have shown up—mentors, friends, supporters, clients, and even strangers who’ve believed in me. My Instagram community is such a blessing—they pour in love and positivity that keeps me going. And yes, there have been critics too, but the love? The love always wins.

I’ve had beautiful highlights—booking my dream gigs, treating myself to an international trip, and being able to earn from something I love. But I’ve also had tough days. Slow seasons—especially around June and July—where work dipped and doubt crept in. “Am I doing enough?” I would ask myself.

Society often tells us that unless you’re in a “real job,” you haven’t made it. That noise got to me sometimes. But deep down, I know I’m building something real. Something intentional. Something mine.

Right now, my focus is to get better every day—to sharpen my craft, to serve clients better, and to show up with heart. I don’t want to copy what’s already being done. I want to bring something unique to every stage I touch.

In the long run, I see myself stepping into preaching and motivational speaking—not just holding the mic, but using it to speak life, purpose, and faith into people. That’s a dream I carry deeply. I also want to build a strong personal brand—not just as an emcee, but as a storyteller, someone who makes people feel seen, heard, and valued.

I don’t have it all figured out—and I’m okay with that.

I’m taking it one day at a time. I show up with my full heart, do my best, and leave the rest to grace. Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about building a career. It’s about building a life that’s authentic, joyful, and full of purpose.

And I know, without a doubt, the best is still ahead.