In 2023, Maria Subi Rajan launched BrandFox, an e-commerce agency aimed at helping sellers thrive in online marketplaces. Today, BrandFox is more than just a business—it is Maria’s legacy. With clients from six countries and a virtual team of seven, BrandFox is generating six figures in revenue per month. 

Maria’s journey has taught her that opportunities are everywhere if you are willing to seize them. As a business leader, she prefers to take the roads less travelled.

From Tirunelveli streets to global entrepreneurship, her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the belief that no dream is too big to chase.

In the heart of the tier 2 city, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, Maria grew up with lots of hardship, she had a challenging childhood. Every morning, she, along with her father, engaged in the laborious task of plucking jasmine and fiche flowers from the garden. The purpose behind this early routine was to sell these flowers at the market before the break of dawn. Life in Tirunelveli, with its simple yet demanding start to the day, reflects the struggles and hard work that shaped the upbringing. While her friends played and enjoyed on the field, Maria was on street corners selling vegetables, at the same time completing her school assignments amidst the hustle.

Her educational journey has transformed her from a vegetable seller on the street to a Digital Entrepreneur. Though she studied in a school where the medium of instruction was Tamil, she worked on her communication skills and made herself better or equivalent to her convent-educated peers. Her family’s daily lunch menu often featured leftovers from the previous day, serving as a reminder of modesty.

At the age of 14, while tackling the challenges of the 9th standard academic, Maria delved into the workforce. During the summer vacations, she took a job at a fishing net company, working gruelling 14-hour shifts and earning Rs.40 per day to provide additional financial support to her family. This early exposure to the workforce at such a young age provides a glimpse into the resilience and determination characterizing their formative years.

In 2011 after completing of schooling at Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School at Panagudi, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, she worked in a homemade snack business and she was getting Rs. 100 per day. Night after night, returning from work, she harboured a clear purpose. The odd jobs she undertook were just for survival; they would never grant her family financial freedom. She was acutely aware that her education was the key to lifting her family out of poverty. In her eyes, it was the pathway to securing a better future and breaking free from the constraints of economic hardship, by becoming an Engineer.

Her hard work landed her at Jayamatha Engineering College, Aralvaimozhi, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, studying B.Tech in Information Technology. Wherever she was she had one thing in mind i.e. how to help her family financially, hence after class, she joined CSC Institute as a Java trainer and earned Rs. 5000 per month. She wanted to make it big, hence after engineering, she moved to Chennai with a big dream to get a high-paying job. In Chennai, the competition was very high in the field of IT and people from across India land in Chennai to secure high-paying jobs and the average tenure to secure IT jobs in Chennai was 5 to 8 months during that time. To survive in the expensive city she needs to earn money for living. Her untrained unique selling skills helped her to get a sales job within a month to earn her living in Chennai and the reality was she worked gruelling hours for minimal pay. 

She is a steelwoman who never gives up, to supplement her income she started content writing along with her sales job.  From her first content writing project she earned Rs.120, it was a small victory that fueled her ambition. She worked in more than 7 startups as a Sales Manager and generated leads from more than 20 countries across the globe. Like every other woman in India, even Maria had personal challenges after marriage and post-pregnancy health issues, but still, she stood tall because of the support she got from her family. Today Maria Subi Rajan is a globally recognized name in the eCommerce space, she has also received the “Top eCommerce Voice” title from Linkedin.

Following a discussion with Maria, she expressed her desire to share the valuable lessons she’s gathered throughout her life with all our readers. The insights she wishes to impart include the following:

  • Embrace your humble beginnings, for they are the foundation upon which greatness is built.
  • In the face of adversity, let resilience be your guiding light. Every obstacle is an opportunity to prove your strength.”
  • Dream big, work hard, and never underestimate the power of determination. Your journey may be challenging, but the rewards are worth every struggle.”
  • Remember, success doesn’t come easy. It’s forged through perseverance, grit, and unwavering belief in yourself.
  • When life throws you curveballs, don’t dodge them—swing harder. Your ability to overcome obstacles will define your success.”
  • Entrepreneurship is not just about building a business—it’s about building a legacy. Let your passion and purpose drive you forward.
  • Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success. Each setback is a lesson in disguise, guiding you closer to your goals.
  • Your journey may not be conventional, but that’s what makes it uniquely yours. Dare to carve your path and defy the odds.
  • Never underestimate the power of perseverance. With determination as your compass, you can navigate any storm and emerge stronger than ever.
  • Believe in the extraordinary potential within you. Your dreams are not just aspirations—they are destinies waiting to be fulfilled.