WWN by Anggie Salazar Ep06: Rijuta Agarwal

Hi Networkers! I'm Anggie, VP of Sales & Marketing at CROING l Creative Agency , a creative agency founded by Alejandra Salazar , and welcome to my newsletter, Women Who Network: Stories of Connection and Success.

I’m super excited to introduce our special guest today: Rijuta Agarwal currently an Art Director at SEPHORA brings over 9 years of experience in driving brand growth through visual communication for leading fashion and beauty brands. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time admiring her cat.

Why did we start this newsletter?

As I always say, networking has played a key role in my career, and I have found through many conversations that it is an area where many women still don't feel confident or need a little push to explore further.

At CROING, we are motivated to inspire and empower professional women to feel more confident in networking. We believe that by sharing stories and experiences, we can encourage more women to connect and grow together.

I’m confident that Rijuta’s story will motivate many women to embrace networking with more confidence. ??

Redefining Networking: Personal Conversations and Pop-Ups

I asked?Rijuta?how?her?approach to networking evolved throughout her career, and in her answer, I already found commonalities with my approach to networking.

Rijuta: The word “networking” can seem daunting, often creating?self-induced pressure to “achieve” something. I realized early on that it was not authentic for me to attend large, public networking events. I’ve tried that, but my approach now focuses on attending events where I feel my time and energy are well spent—places where I leave feeling fulfilled, not drained. Pop-up activations by my favorite beauty and fashion brands are one of my preferred ways to engage with them in an intimate, meaningful setting. For instance, I met Freck Beauty’s team at their pop-up popsicle truck at the Melrose Trading Post flea market, which felt much more genuine.

Anggie: Pop-ups and activations are definitely a fun and more organic way to meet with amazing people, being part of the beauty industry makes you more keen to?go to them.?

When it comes to the strategies Rijuta uses to establish genuine and meaningful connections, her approach is refreshingly simple yet profound.

Rijuta: Asking someone to grab a coffee might seem overrated, but it’s my version of a networking event—engaging in one-on-one conversations with people I find interesting and inspiring. When you meet someone, it’s important to remember that you’re not just there for them to help you; you’re there to help them as well. You might not be able to offer a career opportunity, but you can still provide support in simple ways, like showing empathy. Understanding what’s been challenging in their journey, or what they may still be facing, is crucial. Offering people what I can is just as important as seeking help. Anggie: that’s so cool Rijuta, thanks for sharing, it’s awesome how sharing a cup of coffee can become a huge step towards building a network

Stories of Connection and Success: Rijuta Agarwal’s Edition

Can you share a pivotal moment in your career where networking played a key role?

Rijuta: Attending the Cosmopolitan Editor’s book launch was definitely a pivotal moment. I was traveling to see family across the country but invested in coming back to New York for just one day, specifically to attend her launch. I had previously met individual editors for coffee (right under their office, to make it easy for them) and wanted to meet more of the team. I kept up with all the writers’ work, so going in, I was well-prepared, knew who wrote what, and how to strike up a conversation with them. At the launch, I spent time speaking with their social team, forming genuine connections. I also walked up to the Editor (deep breaths), introduced myself, and asked her to sign my copy of her book. When I saw a social editor position open up a few months later, I reached out directly to the social team I had met. Unfortunately, they filled the position internally. But when the social editor position opened again a year later, I reached out to the social team once more, interviewed, and got the job.

This story highlights how being intentional and prepared can lead to significant career opportunities. But sometimes, opportunities come from the most unexpected places. Rijuta recounted another instance where a casual connection led to an unexpected opportunity.

Rijuta: I had made a floral arrangement at an event and went grocery shopping afterward. The sweet old man at the checkout commented on how beautiful it was, and I insisted that he take it! He was so thankful that he asked if I could do a few commissioned arrangements for Mother’s Day the next day, and voilà! I had my first floral arrangement offer. A small connection like that can actually be life-changing.

Embracing Self-Care Over Pressure in Networking

Networking events often carry high expectations, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. Rijuta shared a candid story about a time when her plans to attend a networking event didn’t materialize.

Rijuta: Well, I can share one that not only didn’t go as planned but didn’t go at all,?haha. I was invited by Adobe to an event in Los Angeles where they were demo-ing their AI platform. I was so excited to go. But even a decade into my career, my anxiety got the better of me, and I didn’t end up making it to the event. Of course, I’m going to try my best to make it to the next one, but the point here is that while it’s important to meet industry people, it’s also okay to listen to yourself and take a step back if there are other stressors in your life.

Anggie: This story is a powerful reminder to prioritize your mental health, even when it means missing out on a significant opportunity. The pressure to always show up can sometimes overshadow the importance of listening to our own needs. Your experience emphasizes that being kind to yourself and acknowledging your limits can be just as important as pushing forward. In the end, the key is finding a balance that allows you to engage fully and authentically when the time is right.

Empowering Women to Redefine Networking on Their Own Terms

For many women starting their professional careers, the concept of networking can feel intimidating. Rijuta's advice offers a refreshing perspective on how to approach it in a way that feels authentic and manageable.

Rijuta: Personally, it was the terminology that seemed daunting to me. ‘Networking’ felt like a big, undefined, and overwhelming challenge that I had to conquer. So I set that aside and focused on what aspects of it I actually enjoyed. I liked meeting creative people, hearing their stories, and understanding their work. So I focused on doing just that. Find out what makes you feel good and confident, and do just that.

By focusing on the parts of networking that resonate with you personally, it becomes less about following a prescribed formula and more about creating meaningful interactions that align with your values. This approach not only makes networking more approachable but also ensures that the connections you make are rooted in authenticity and mutual respect.

Thank you, Rijuta, for sharing your story and inspiring other women to prioritize their mental health while enjoying the networking journey. Your insights are sure to help many women grow and feel more encouraged to engage in meaningful connections.

At CROING, we echo this sentiment and have developed our Referral Program as a powerful networking and business tool. It’s a great way to connect, collaborate, and grow together.

Don’t forget your network is your net worth.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our next edition of Women Who Network: Stories of Connection and Successevery Tuesday and Thrusday.

If you want to be part of or propose someone for this space, please email me at [email protected].

Until next time, keep networking and growing!

This newsletter is powered by CROING.