From Lockdown to Google to Independent AI Consulting. What Actually Worked

The author went from zero programming knowledge during COVID lockdowns to completing a Data Analyst program, landing a Business Analyst role on a Google project at Teleperformance in Portugal, and eventually launching an independent Data & AI consulting practice in Tbilisi, Georgia by 2025. Key achievements included automating reporting with SQL and Looker Studio dashboards, saving 10 hours per week, and building cross-functional reporting systems. The career path was non-linear, involving relocation from France to Portugal to Georgia, and bypassing traditional hiring barriers through resourcefulness rather than credentials alone.