From Lodhran to the World: The Freelance Journey of Sohaib Mirza

From Lodhran to the World: The Freelance Journey of Sohaib Mirza

My name is Sohaib Mirza, and I come from Lodhran — a small city nestled in the heart of South Punjab, Pakistan. Growing up in a humble household, privilege wasn’t part of the equation. What I did have was ambition, a hunger to learn, and the unshakeable belief that my story could be different.

I completed my schooling and college in Lodhran from local institutions — no fancy resources, no polished environment, just the grit to grow. Education was my way out, and I took it seriously. I pursued my BBA from BZU Multan, then went on to earn my MBA in Marketing from FAST Islamabad, graduating in 2015. It was a milestone for me and my family — a boy from Lodhran making it to one of the top institutions in the country.

But reality struck quickly. My first job after graduation paid just 18,000 PKR a month. It was a sales and marketing position — demanding, low-paying, and far from glamorous. But I showed up. Every day. I worked in multiple software houses over the next few years, slowly climbing my way up to the position of Digital Marketing Manager. I had what many would consider a “comfortable” life, but something inside me refused to settle.

In 2018, I started freelancing as a side hustle. I still remember doing my first project late at night after returning from my day job. One client turned into five, then fifty. Within a year, my freelance income had not only surpassed my salary, but it had also changed the way I saw my future. I realized I didn’t need to stay confined to a job to succeed.

So, I took the leap.

I quit my job and never looked back.

Today, I’m proud to say that on Fiverr, I’m one of the most demanded freelancers in the field of App Store Optimization (ASO). I’ve worked with over 3,200 clients from more than 50 countries, maintaining a 4.9/5 satisfaction rating. What started as a late-night side gig became the foundation of a global freelance career.

But I didn’t stop there.

I now own a private-label e-commerce brand in the UAE, and I’ve co-founded an e-commerce agency based in Lodhran, the very city where it all began. My journey has come full circle — creating opportunities where none existed before.

I also provide digital marketing strategy and consultation to software houses and healthcare clinics — helping others grow, just as I once dreamed of doing myself. Whether it’s building a funnel, crafting a campaign, or scaling a brand, I bring everything I’ve learned to the table with passion and precision.

More than anything, I am a lifelong learner. I consume books, courses, and conversations like oxygen. My goal? To become part of the top 1% of digital marketers in the world — not for status, but to make a greater impact, to show others that geography and background are no barriers when your vision is strong.

If you’re reading this and come from a small city like I did, if you’re stuck in a job that doesn’t value you, or if you’ve been told to “stay realistic” — I want you to know this:

You are not limited by where you start. You are only limited by how far you’re willing to go.

I went from Lodhran to the world — and so can you.