From Inspiration to Innovation: Building a Future Beyond KIS

What’s your favorite memory from your time at KIS?

Was there a teacher, class, or experience at KIS that had a lasting impact on you?

I still remember taking an art class where I ended up with a terribly low grade. It taught me that just being in an art class does not make you an artist. What shaped me more were all the opportunities outside the art classroom. I learned Bharatanatyam from middle to high school, took piano lessons, and even experimented with tabla. That freedom to explore showed me that creativity takes many forms, and that realization has stayed with me as I’ve built my career.

If you had to describe KIS in three words, what would they be?

Transformative, inclusive, and liberating.

Did boarding school life teach you something you still use every day?

Independence. At a young age I had to figure out how to take care of myself, plan my day, and not depend on anyone for the little things. Along with that came discipline, time management, resilience, and responsibility. All of these became essential as I started carving out my own path after KIS.

How do you think the KIS community shaped your personality and career path?

KIS gave me the freedom to try things—even ones I didn’t know I was interested in at the time. That curiosity and creativity slowly shaped my perspective and encouraged me to think differently. It was at KIS that I first became interested in fashion, which eventually led me to co-found Now Media - http://www.nowmedia.in, my design and branding company.

What made you decide to start your own branding & design and digital marketing companies?

Very early on I knew I wanted to create something of my own. Meeting my partner, now my husband, was serendipitous - he also wanted to branch out and build something meaningful. Together we started Now Media, and later launched Bleep, a digital marketing company. Both ventures came from a desire to design my own future instead of following someone else’s blueprint.

How did you first get into the world of content creation and influencing?

After undergrad I was living in Alberta, Canada, with my sister, who is also a KIS alum. With the stunning landscapes around us and some extra time, we began photographing looks and sharing them online. What began casually during the Blogspot days grew with Instagram. Friends encouraged me, and eventually I took the leap. It started as something small, but became another avenue to build a career aligned with my passions.

How do you decide which brands to work with and which to turn down?

My choices are intentional. Since becoming vegan, I collaborate only with brands that align with those values—vegan, cruelty-free, or offering positive alternatives. Building your future means choosing what you stand for, even in business. That clarity guides both my personal brand and the work we do at Now Media and Bleep.

What’s a misconception people have about being a social media influencer?

That it looks effortless. The reality is that it’s constant work - planning, editing, strategizing. It’s a business in itself, and even holidays can become workdays. Building a future in this space means embracing the “always-on” reality while staying authentic.

Do you see any of the values you learned at KIS influencing the way you run your business?

Definitely. Inclusivity and open-mindedness were central to life at KIS. Being surrounded by people from different cultures taught me to respect other perspectives and adapt. Those lessons now shape how I collaborate with clients across industries and geographies.

What advice would you give to current KIS students who want to enter the creative industry?

Be a sponge. Observe everything around you, because inspiration is everywhere. The creative industry is vast, and no two people will ever approach it the same way. That means there is always space for you—if you’re willing to carve it out. Stay adaptable, keep learning, and trust your creativity. It’s your biggest asset when it comes to building your own future.