The BroxtenDigital Show - Episode 17: Dipa Gandhi

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/broxten-davis Follow the show on Instagram for more daily value and insights: https://www.instagram.com/thebroxtendigitalshow/ How does someone go from a master's in animal physiology and HIV research to Director of SEO? Dipa Gandhi did exactly that, and in Episode 17 she walks through the whole non-linear path. Dipa is the Director of SEO at 99 Calls and a Platinum Google Business Profile Product Expert. She was one of the company's first employees and has spent 15 years watching the SEO space change almost weekly. She came back into the workforce through a work-from-home data entry job that quietly turned into organic SEO and lead generation. I honestly think her story is one of the most reassuring ones we've had on the show for anyone who feels behind or unsure about their path. Here's what we get into: • How a data entry job became a 15-year SEO career • Why keeping an open mind beats locking into one major or role • How to keep up when your field changes every single week • Getting over the fear of sending that first LinkedIn connection • The number one soft skill and hard skill to build for 2026 • What is actually moving the needle in SEO now, from Google Business Profile to AI Overviews Dipa Gandhi is the Director of SEO at 99 Calls, a digital marketing company that helps home service businesses like plumbers, HVAC, and electricians grow. She is also a Platinum Google Business Profile Product Expert. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:36 Meet Dipa: 15 years at 99 Calls 02:25 How SEO has changed in 15 years 03:24 How to keep up when the field changes weekly 05:53 Starting in data entry, not knowing what SEO was 08:07 Turn your day to day into your own case study 10:08 Networking when your network is tiny 13:30 Posting on LinkedIn before you feel ready 16:38 Finding a passion for SEO 17:00 From HIV research to Director of SEO 21:19 What's moving the needle now: GBP and AI Overviews 26:20 Rapid Fire Value Segment 28:24 The #1 soft skill for 2026 29:40 The #1 hard skill right now 33:12 People to follow in SEO 36:02 One thing she'd tell her younger self 38:27 Where to find Dipa Connect with Dipa Gandhi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dipa-gandhi/ Subscribe to get more actionable advice from the best in advertising & marketing! #DigitalMarketingPodcast #AdvertisingPodcast #YoungProfessionals #MarketingPodcast