When Manasi Mau uploaded her first YouTube video on July 3, 2017, she wasn’t following a trend, she was taking a leap of faith. At the time, content creation was not the respected career path it is today. Manasi was a 20-year-old engineering student who made the unconventional choice to skip campus placements, armed with nothing but a shaky camera, a gut feeling and the steadfast support of her sister. Her decision was met with skepticism, laughter and even bullying from her peers. But Manasi’s story is a testament to what happens when you listen to your inner voice, even when the world tells you otherwise.
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Raised in an orthodox family, Manasi was no stranger to academic achievement; her sisters are a doctor and an engineer and she herself was a school topper. Yet, her heart always beats for the arts, with childhood stints in ad films and a Marathi movie. Engineering, however, put her creative pursuits on hold. By her third year, she realized she needed to reconnect with her love for the camera. That’s when she made the boldest decision of her life: to become a YouTuber.
The early days were anything but easy. Manasi filmed and edited all her content herself, often while her classmates prepared for corporate placements. There was no roadmap, no professional equipment and certainly no guarantee of success. She posted videos three times a week, slowly building an audience while facing rejection, self-doubt and relentless effort behind the scenes. The glamour that viewers now associate with her brand international trips, luxury skincare and aesthetic vlogs was built on years of unseen struggle: late-night editing sessions, flopped videos and the anxiety that comes with putting yourself out there.
In 2019, just as her channel was gaining momentum, Manasi’s YouTube account was hacked and wiped out. The trauma of losing everything she’d built was overwhelming, but she refused to let it define her. Brick by brick, video by video, she rebuilt her channel from scratch, a testament to her resilience and determination. Then, in 2022, a medical emergency forced her to slow down and reevaluate everything. Through it all, Manasi’s commitment to “showing up” never wavered, even on the hardest days.
Today, content creation is a viable and respected career, but Manasi is quick to remind aspiring creators that the path is far from easy. “It’s a constant battle between being grateful for achievements and wanting to do more,” she says. The support of her loyal MauFam community has been a source of strength, helping her navigate the pressures and expectations of the digital world.
Her journey has taken her far beyond her comfort zone. A self-described homebody, Manasi’s travels from South Korea to Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week have broadened her horizons and challenged her in unexpected ways. She speaks candidly about the hustle behind the scenes: language barriers, last-minute crises and the relentless pace of professional shoots. Yet, she’s learned to stay patient and keep her cool, trusting that everything falls into place with perseverance.
Perhaps most importantly, Manasi’s story is about self-acceptance and pride in the journey. She may not have won big awards or hit massive milestones by industry standards, but she’s built a life and a career that her younger self would admire. “Everyone sees the after. But I’ll never forget the before,” she reflects. Her message to anyone watching: don’t let society dictate your dreams. Success is not just about numbers, it’s about building a self you’re proud of, no matter how long it takes.
As she marks eight years of “mehnat, madness, healing and heart,” Manasi Mau stands as an inspiration for anyone daring to carve their own path. Her story is a reminder that every achievement is built on unseen effort and that the most important milestones are often the ones we set for ourselves.
