We recently connected with Raheel Ramzanali and have shared our conversation below.

Raheel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

The most important lesson I’ve learned throughout my years working in the sports media is that you need to focus on creating a network that will help you out finding new gigs and a network you can help out when they need help finding new gigs and work. Your network is the second most important thing as a creative. First being your actual talent and hard work.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I got into the sports media after college by working at a startup radio station in Houston called 1560 The Game. From there, I transitioned into working in social media and learning that side of the business by working with Landry’s Inc and managing some of their big brands. After that, I went back to fulltime in radio by working at ESPN Houston. During that time I also did weekly updates for CW 39 in Houston, stadium host and sidelines for the XFL Houston Roughnecks, and became a global ambassador/model for Movember. After ESPN, I transitioned into working as a freelancer and did a podcast with ABC 13 called No Layups with David Nuno, stadium host for the Houston Sabercats, and play-by-play for UFC Fight Pass broadcasts for Fury FC. I also host weekly videos with Golden Nugget Sports and am currently an ambassador for lululemon in Houston’s Highland Village store.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2020, like a lot of other people, I was laid off from two jobs due to the financial fallout of the pandemic. I was riding a high in my career landing some high profile gigs, but then those layoffs changed everything. However, it was the best thing to happen to me because I had spent so many years establishing a network that I was able to land other jobs that I wasn’t allowed to work at before due to non-competes. It was a tough time being left without a job and nobody hiring, but I trusted my hard work and network to get me through it.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

My goal now is to inspire the next generation of south Asian creatives who want to work in any creative field. Growing up I didn’t have anybody that looked like me working in creative spaces so it’s super important to me to make sure that the next generation does so they know this is a career path that is possible.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @raheeldoingthings
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raheel-ramzanali-16aa7229/
• Twitter: @the_raheel