TheCconnects: Siddartha, you’ve achieved a lot at a relatively young age-from national awards to building multiple platforms. Take us back to the beginning. How did this journey really start?
Siddartha Kembasaram:
If I’m being honest, it started with curiosity before it started with clarity. I’ve always been fascinated by how stories influence people-why some brands feel magnetic while others fade into noise. Early on, I spent a lot of time observing content online, not as a creator but as a student of attention. I noticed patterns-what made people pause, what made them trust, and what made them act.
That curiosity gradually turned into experimentation. I began working with small brands, helping them grow visibility through content and digital storytelling. Results followed, confidence grew, and eventually, Think Prism was born. I didn’t start with a big agency vision-I started with one simple belief: if you understand people deeply, marketing becomes meaningful, not manipulative.
TheCconnects: Think Prism has quickly positioned itself as a results-driven digital marketing agency. What gap did you see in the market that pushed you to build it?
Siddartha Kembasaram:
The biggest gap was intention. Many brands were doing “digital marketing,” but very few were building digital identity. Content had become loud, repetitive, and transactional. I felt brands were missing the human layer.
Think Prism was built to bridge that gap-where creativity meets strategy. We don’t just ask, “What should we post?” We ask, “Why should anyone care?” Once that answer is clear, everything else-content formats, campaigns, funnels-falls into place. Our focus has always been on long-term brand growth, not short-term virality.
TheCconnects: You’re also a recipient of the Indian Icon Award and Young Achiever Award 2024. What do these recognitions mean to you personally?
Siddartha Kembasaram:
Awards are validation, but not destination points. They remind me that the work is creating impact beyond numbers and revenue. Personally, they mean a lot because they reflect consistency-showing up every day even when growth was slow or uncertain.
But I also see them as responsibility markers. When you’re recognized, people start watching you-not just for success, but for values. That pushes me to operate with integrity, especially when working with young founders and students who see me as someone relatable.
TheCconnects: Alongside Think Prism, you’ve launched initiatives like Founder’s Lounge and Growth Hive. What inspired you to go beyond agency work?
Siddartha Kembasaram:
At some point, I realized growth shouldn’t be limited to clients alone. Founder’s Lounge was born from a personal need-I wanted honest conversations. Not the polished “success-only” narratives, but the messy, real stories founders rarely talk about.
Growth Hive, on the other hand, came from interacting with students. I saw a massive gap between what colleges teach and what the real world demands. So we created a student-first ecosystem focused on skills, mindset, and exposure. Together, these platforms allow me to contribute to the ecosystem, not just profit from it.
TheCconnects: Who has influenced you the most in shaping your mindset and work ethic?
Siddartha Kembasaram:
I’d say real-life builders-people who started with nothing but clarity and discipline. I’m deeply inspired by founders who stayed consistent without overnight success. Closer to home, conversations with students and early-stage entrepreneurs influence me a lot. Their raw ambition keeps me grounded and hungry.
I’ve also learned a lot from observing failures-mine and others’. Failure teaches humility faster than success ever can.
TheCconnects: Speaking of failures, what were some of the toughest challenges you’ve faced so far?
Siddartha Kembasaram:
One major challenge was balancing speed with sustainability. Early traction can be exciting, but scaling without systems almost broke things. I learned the hard way that growth without structure leads to burnout.
Another challenge was credibility. When you’re young, people often underestimate your experience. Instead of arguing, I let results speak. Delivering consistently was the only way to change perception-and it worked.
TheCconnects: In today’s crowded digital space, what do you see as the biggest challenge for brands?
Siddartha Kembasaram:
Attention fatigue. People are overwhelmed. Brands are fighting not just competitors, but boredom. The real challenge is earning trust without screaming for attention.
Brands that win today are those that slow down, understand their audience deeply, and communicate with clarity. It’s no longer about posting daily-it’s about posting intentionally.
TheCconnects: How do your platforms help solve these challenges for brands and individuals?
Siddartha Kembasaram:
Think Prism focuses on clarity-first marketing-defining brand voice, positioning, and storytelling systems. Growth Hive equips students with real-world skills and confidence. And Think Prim helps individuals build strong personal brands so opportunities come to them organically.
Each platform solves a different layer of the same problem: lack of direction in the digital world.
TheCconnects: Outside of work, how do you unwind or reset?
Siddartha Kembasaram:
I spend a lot of time reflecting-journaling, long walks, and consuming long-form content. Podcasts, books, and deep conversations help me recalibrate. I believe mental clarity is the real productivity hack.
TheCconnects: Finally, what advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs and creators?
Siddartha Kembasaram:
Don’t chase visibility-chase value. Learn fundamentals before trends. Build skills before scaling. And most importantly, be patient with your journey.
Success compounds quietly. If you stay consistent, curious, and ethical, opportunities will eventually align. Build something meaningful-and growth will follow.
TheCconnects: Siddartha, this has been an incredibly insightful conversation. Thank you for sharing your journey so candidly.
Siddartha Kembasaram:
Thank you. Conversations like these are reminders of why I started-to create impact, not just impressions.
