How I Became A Microsoft MVP In Under 12 Months - And What You Can Learn From My Journey

A year or so ago, I found myself trapped in a retail job - miserable, unfulfilled, and selling sweets.

Just months earlier, I'd been loving the comfort of my Digital Internship during my University placement year.

I was digitizing entire departments with the Power Platform, and getting incredible experience in a start-up, where I was hands-on with innovative tech every day.

I knew I was meant for more.

1. The Retail Escape Plan and Leap of Faith

After a gruelling shift, I reached my breaking point.

I got home, changed my clothes, and headed straight to one of my university lectures.

In that lecture, I scribbled out a document titled "The Retail Escape Plan" - a promise to myself that I'd never work in retail again.

(Fun fact: that document is still saved in my Notion notes, dated November 2023.)

I applied to countless jobs until I landed an interview for a full-time role as a Junior Power Platform Developer.

The interview itself was a rollercoaster.

The hiring managers opened by asking if I was still at university - "Uhmm, yes," I replied nervously, and they exchanged a look that made me think I was already ruled out.

Then, I was invited to complete a practical case-study with only one week to prepare - all while juggling my retail shifts and first semester exams.

(Imagine a packed calendar - I even have a screenshot somewhere!)

Long story short, I nailed the interview, got the job, and that was the beginning of an incredible journey.

2. Documenting the Journey

Once on board, I hit the ground running.

My love for the Power Platform grew more and more.

I started doing things with Dynamics and the Power Platform that I never thought possible - which proved to me that any job can be learned with enough focus and passion.

I began documenting my work with a "fun" series I called "Solution Sunday" (yes I know).

I showed how I integrated JavaScript into model-driven apps at the company, and how others could apply it in their companies.

Yet, for months, my posts didn't gain the traction I hoped for. It was disheartening because I was genuinely trying to help others learn and grow.

3. Creating Value Beyond Blog Posts

Not one to give up, I pivoted.

I built a course on Udemy teaching the fundamentals of the Power Platform - Because at the time, it was the one thing I felt I could teach really well.

Today, that course has reached over 1,400 students from around the world!

(You can check it out here if you're interested!! - https://www.udemy.com/course/introduction-to-the-microsoft-power-platform/?referralCode=FAA4A216F2481AEE7884)

At the same time, I invested in my personal brand by launching a website and sharing deeper insights and "how-to's".

Once the first course was released, I promised myself I wouldn't build another course for at least seven years (because, trust me, it really takes a lot out of you).

But just a few weeks later, I found myself on a train to London, laptop in hand, preparing my next course - this time focused on the AI Builder.

It was challenging, but I poured my heart into it and promoted it like crazy!

(If you're interested in checking that out, you can find the link here!! - https://www.udemy.com/course/ai-builder-with-power-automate-and-power-apps/?referralCode=24A2659668C6F53D7717)

4. Mentorship and The Power of Consistency

A major turning point came when Mark Smith reached out to me on LinkedIn, inviting me to join his 90 Day Mentoring Challenge.

I jumped at the chance and was the first one in our new cohort's group chat.

I still remember our first group call - it was just me, Parvez Ghumra, and Mark.

I sat there like a fly on the wall, completely inspired by the conversation, not knowing that these two would soon become my mentors and change the trajectory of my career (even if they didn't know it haha).

Mark spoke about the importance of consistency.

... and I needed nothing else.

After that call, I committed to posting at least three times per week - even if writing in-depth blog posts took hours.

It wasn't about being perfect; it was about showing up, day in and day out, and trying to provide value anyway I could.

I joined Mark Smith's Mentoring Challenge (which you can find here: https://www.90daymc.com/) around June/July, and with consistency, you can immediately see my engagement go up.

The posts still weren't doing particularly well, but I vowed to myself not to stop.

5. Evolving My Content

To keep up with the commitment of posting consistently, I experimented with different content formats.

Recognizing that we all have shorter attention spans, myself included (thanks TikTok), I started creating infographics that delivered my points quickly and effectively - including Cheat Sheets and Roadmaps.

(Fun Fact - I used to get annoyed at short-form content because I thought it was rotting our brains. But I've just come to realise people simply appreciate a lot of value in a short amount of time, which completely changed my mindset on how I approach content)

Over time, I refined a set of tactics and strategies for LinkedIn growth - so much so that Sean Astrakhan and I even presented them in a live community group called the Power Platform High Five.

(You can see the full video here)

It was during this time where I begun to understand the value of building your personal brand and network - and decided LinkedIn was going to be the place I do it.

Adapting to new formats wasn't just about keeping up - it was crucial to maintaining my momentum and expanding my reach.

6. The MVP Nomination

One of the most humbling moments in my journey came unexpectedly.

One of my mentors nominated me for a Microsoft MVP award - without me even asking.

Honestly, I didn't even know you had to be nominated; I always assumed the infamous MVP email would just magically appear one day (although I did wonder how they would get my email).

Imagine my surprise when I opened my inbox one morning and found the award email waiting for me.

That moment wasn't just a personal validation - it fuelled my drive to be even more consistent with my content and community engagement - something I want for all of you as I understand the true value it can bring to your life and relationships.

It was also around this time my first post blew up, which was my MVP Announcement.

I believe it hit over 400 reactions, which was double anything I had up until that point.

You can see the initial spike in November 2024 below, exactly 1 year after I moved away from retail, to join the Power Platform space.

7. Using The Momentum

I decided to use my momentum and commit to posting every day and haven't stopped until now.

I created roadmaps, cheat sheets, tips, and started to build my LinkedIn following day-by-day.

One of them was my Microsoft MVP Roadmap, showing how I achieved Microsoft MVP in under a year.

Disclaimer: This is what helped me, and I decided to share with the community, so hopefully it can help and inspire you. :)

I started my Powercademy website, Power Hour Podcast, and Power Hour newsletter to help people level up their Power Platform careers and help them avoid the same mistakes that I made - all of which can be found here.

8. Lessons Learned

This journey wasn't all smooth sailing.

There were moments of frustration, countless mistakes (probably over a thousand), and even personal challenges like bouts of acid reflux caused by stress and mental health struggles which has led to countless nights without sleep (which I don't recommend by the way).

But each setback taught me a lesson and helped me refine a framework that not only transformed my career but also my life.

Here's the lessons I learned so hopefully you can apply them to your journey, regardless of where you are:

Embrace Your Journey: My path wasn't linear. Every twist, setback, and breakthrough taught me something invaluable.

Stay Consistent: It's not about being perfect every time - it's about showing up, even on the tough days. Produce consistent value to your community and reap the rewards <3

Evolve: When one approach wasn't working, I pivoted. From long-form blogs to quick infographics, evolving my strategy was key to reaching more people.

Value Mentorship: The unexpected support from mentors like Mark and Parvez was instrumental in my growth. Their guidance taught me not only technical skills but also how to navigate the ups and downs of a tech career.

Protect Yourself: Along the way, I faced personal challenges like acid reflux caused by mental health struggles - and yes, I also encountered criticism that sometimes hit hard. I learned that while some feedback is constructive and can fuel your growth, other comments are simply noise. The key is to recognize and focus on the insights that help you improve, while protecting your well-being by not letting unhelpful criticism derail your progress. When you're pushing your limits, taking care of your mental and physical health is essential.

9. My Invitation To You

I'm sharing this story not to boast, but to show you that no matter where you start - even if you're selling sweets - every step is a stepping stone toward success.

I'm living proof that with passion and consistency, you can transform your career in a short amount of time.

Whether you're just starting your Power Platform journey or looking to break through to the next level, I've been there.

I'm here to help you reduce the pain I felt, avoid the mistakes I made, and unlock your true potential.

If you're ready to build a career you love and achieve freedom, check out my Power Hour newsletter, you should be able to sign up somewhere on the screen, and if not you can add your email here.

Let's take this journey together.

Thank you for reading, and I'd love to hear your thoughts or experiences in the comments.

What's your next step in your journey?

With love, Howdang