How a Cold Email to Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff Transformed an Indian-Origin Entrepreneur's Career
An Indian-origin entrepreneur has captured widespread attention after revealing how a single cold email sent to Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff approximately two decades ago dramatically altered the trajectory of his professional life. Mehl Nariyawala, the co-founder and President of Matic Robots, recently took to social media platform X to share screenshots of the remarkable email exchange from 2005.
The Life-Changing Email Exchange
Nariyawala posted about this pivotal moment, writing: "I rarely share this, but 21 years ago I cold emailed @Benioff for a job at @salesforce...he responded in an hour. It changed my life, so this is a full circle moment. Very grateful Marc loves @maticrobots." What makes this story particularly compelling is the rapid response time - Benioff replied to the unsolicited email within just sixty minutes.
The correspondence occurred during a period when Salesforce was still establishing itself as a pioneering cloud-based software company. At that time, Nariyawala was pursuing his second year of MBA studies at the prestigious University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Demonstrating remarkable initiative, he decided to bypass traditional application channels and reach out directly to the company's founder.
The Content of the Fateful Email
Nariyawala's email featured a straightforward yet powerful subject line: "A request for a dream job." In the body of the message, he expressed profound admiration for both Salesforce and Benioff, acknowledging the company's revolutionary impact on the software industry.
"I have read almost every single article about salesforce.com and you. I admire the hell out of you, and I absolutely love how salesforce.com is reinventing the software industry. I'd absolutely love to work for you at salesforce.com," he wrote with genuine enthusiasm.
The aspiring professional went on to describe his personal attributes and professional background, characterizing himself as "creative, exuberant and entrepreneurial." He explained how these qualities informed his leadership approach, stating: "My exuberance helps me lead and get my team excited. At salesforce.com, I will achieve exceptional results and make you proud."
The CEO's Response and Subsequent Developments
Benioff's reply was concise yet significant: "Thank you for your note. Erin Flynn will take a look at this for us." This brief acknowledgment opened doors that would ultimately shape Nariyawala's career path in profound ways.
The story comes full circle as Benioff recently congratulated Nariyawala on a major achievement for his current venture, Matic Robots. Just days before sharing the email story, Nariyawala announced that his company had successfully secured $60 million in funding. He shared the news on X, emphasizing their customer-focused approach: "We didn't ask 'What's the most impressive robot we can demo?' We asked 'What's the most useful robot we can ship? What comes after Roomba?' Customers answered with their wallets: It's Matic."
Benioff responded publicly to this announcement, writing: "Congrats @mehul. I love my matic. Need a bigger water dish so it can run autonomously for at least a week at a time."
Social Media Reaction and Broader Implications
The post quickly gained substantial traction across social media platforms, generating numerous reactions from professionals and entrepreneurs worldwide. One commenter noted: "cold email method is still unpatched," while another shared: "love this so much. every real job I ever had came from a cold email." A third user added: "This is awesome. Cold messaging got me every job I've had in tech. Shocking how few people are willing to take the risk."
This inspiring narrative highlights several important themes:
- The enduring power of direct outreach and personal initiative in career development
- The significance of well-crafted, authentic communication with industry leaders
- The potential for serendipitous connections to create lasting professional relationships
- The journey from aspiring job seeker to successful entrepreneur
Nariyawala's experience serves as a powerful testament to the impact that courage, preparation, and strategic networking can have on one's professional trajectory. His story resonates particularly within the entrepreneurial community, where unconventional approaches often lead to breakthrough opportunities.
