Mrs. Priya Agarwal | Think Surf Media
Remember the last time you searched for a product or service online? You were influenced by digital marketing efforts. From social media ads to search engine optimization, digital marketing plays an important role in shaping consumer behavior.
How can businesses stand out in such a competitive digital landscape? The answer is effective digital marketing strategies. Businesses with a strong online presence are taking advantage of a huge opportunity. Today, when businesses are relying on technology to connect with their audience, Think Surf Media has come up as a master of the digital marketing industry.
Founded by the visionary Mrs. Priya Agarwal, the company has quickly earned a name for its innovative ideas and commitment to providing exceptional results.
Think Surf Media is a full-service digital agency with over 5 years of experience, having worked with 493+ clients, including 350+ international clients, across 7 countries. Our team, with a combined 383 years of expertise, has delivered 835+ projects. Our key services are website design and development, organic and inorganic marketing, and web & mobile app development.
The company helps businesses of all sizes achieve their digital goals by using cutting-edge technologies and industry best practices.
As we get into the world of Think Surf Media, we will learn about the company’s journey, its innovative strategies, and the inspiring leadership of Mrs. Priya Agarwal in an exclusive interview for our “CEO of the Year 2024” edition. Mrs. Priya Agarwal shares her insights on commitment to customer satisfaction and its vision for the future. She discusses the challenges and triumphs that have made Think Surf Media a trusted name in the digital marketing industry.
Prime Insights: Brief us on the origin story of the company.
My journey with Think Surf Media started with my background in IT, having completed my master’s in computer application. I was always inclined towards the ITES sector and worked as a CTO in an IT company. In 2019, after marrying my husband, Pawan Jaiswal, we decided to start our venture together. We began with just two employees in a small 300 sq ft office. Today, Think Surf Media has grown into a 4000 sq ft office with 80+ professionals, thanks to the dedication and hard work we put into building the company from the ground up.
Prime Insights: How have you kept a balance between your personal life and professional one?
Balancing work and personal life has been a journey, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the immense support of my family, particularly my husband, Pawan Jaiswal. Their understanding, encouragement, and willingness to share responsibilities have been invaluable. We’ve built a strong foundation together, which allows me to devote myself to both my career and personal life. At times, it’s challenging, but knowing I have a reliable support system at home gives me the strength to manage both worlds effectively and passionately. It’s this balance that keeps me motivated and grounded.
Prime Insights: Being a CEO, is your story of struggle any different from others?
My journey has been one of a kind and, honestly, pretty challenging at times. Even though business runs in my blood, I was a first-generation entrepreneur getting into the digital world. There wasn’t anyone to guide me, so the learning curve was steep. I faced a lot of doubts and made my fair share of mistakes, but every downfall just pushed me to grow and get stronger. It wasn’t easy balancing my passion with the reality of learning something completely new that was tough. But looking back, it’s been such a rewarding experience, and it’s shaped me into who I am today.
Prime Insights: What kind of clients do you serve? Any special mentions?
We have had the privilege of working with clients from over 10 diverse industries, with a particular focus on the HoReCa sector, where we specialize. Some of our standout clients include La Pino’z Pizza, Lemon Tree, and Big Daddy Casino Poker Room. Beyond HoReCa, we’ve served clients in manufacturing, tourism, e-commerce, finance, real estate, healthcare, education, entertainment, jewelry, and both B2B and B2C sectors.
Each project has its different challenges and opportunities, which let us grow and adapt our solutions to meet the growing needs of our clients.
Prime Insights: How do you keep up the pace with the changing market trends?
Staying ahead of market trends is important to me, and I’ve been lucky to have some amazing mentors and coaches guiding me along the way. Rahul Jain, the top business coach in India, has been a huge help with improving my operations and scaling up. Akshar Yadav, known as the “Chanakya of Marketing,” has been guiding me on marketing and sales strategies. I also make it a point to attend training sessions and learn from industry experts regularly. But for me, it’s not just about my leadership; I’m all about involving my whole team. From management to employees, we all participate in team-building activities and learn together. This constant learning helps me stay ahead and adapt to the market’s changes.
Prime Insights: What makes your company different from other marketing agencies?
What makes my company different from other marketing agencies is how we focus on truly adding value to everything we do. We believe that the customer is always the top priority. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach, we take the time to understand each client’s unique needs and offer personalized, result-oriented services that work best for them. Our goal isn’t just to offer services; it’s to deliver real returns. With our expertise, we work closely with clients to help their businesses grow and succeed. It’s this commitment to understanding, personalizing, and achieving results that make us stand out from the rest.
Prime Insights: Do you feel CEOs today face equal competition, or is there an ‘it’s okay’ attitude to it?
I’ve seen firsthand how business leaders today are facing more competition and challenges than ever before. The speed of change in the business world is nonstop, and I’ve learned that staying ahead means constantly innovating and adjusting. There have been many moments when I thought, “Okay, things are going smoothly,” only to face a new challenge the next day. That’s when I realized there’s no space for being too comfortable or lazy, and the “it’s okay” mindset doesn’t work anymore. I’ve had to take care of unexpected problems, sometimes daily, and as a leader, I’ve had to solve each one with determination and a willingness to learn. It’s this constant drive to overcome challenges and keep improving that’s pushed me and my team to grow and succeed.
Prime Insights: How necessary do you feel it is to keep your employees content, and how do you ensure it?
Keeping employees content is not just important; it’s vital for the success of any organization. At Think Surf Media, I focus on providing a balanced work-life environment, offering flexibility in work hours, and fostering a fun culture with activities like Fun Fridays and regular team events. I also recognize and reward hard work with awards and public acknowledgment of achievements. This creates a sense of belonging and appreciation, motivating my team to perform their best and stay committed to the company’s growth.
Prime Insights: Who do you look up to, and what do you convey further to the ones who look up to you?
I find a lot of motivation in my husband, who’s been my rock throughout everything. To those who look up to me, I’d say: always be open to learning, stay strong when facing obstacles, and keep your feet on the ground. Achieving success isn’t just about putting in the effort; it’s about staying flexible, humble, and focused on growth, both professionally and personally. Keep challenging yourself, stay curious, and support the people around you. We’re all in this together. Trust the journey, even if it takes time, and things will fall into place. And remember, your clients and team are your greatest treasures. Investing in reliable, skilled manpower will always pay off. They are the foundation of everything!
Prime Insights: What are your thoughts on CEOs’ participation in the entrepreneurial world?
When it comes to CEOs being involved in the entrepreneurial world, I think their role is crucial; they have to wear many hats. As a CEO, you’re not just running the day-to-day operations; you’re also the one who sets the vision for the entire company. For me, it’s all about leading the team with a clear direction and making sure everyone is working towards the same goals. I’m constantly thinking about where we want to go, how we can grow, and what we need to do to stay ahead.
What I’ve learned from my own experience is that being a CEO means being adaptable. The entrepreneurial world changes fast, and as a leader, you need to stay on your toes. It’s not just about making money; it’s about leading with purpose, encouraging innovation, and building a company that people want to be a part of.
Prime Insights: What message do you want to give to those CEOs who give up on their dreams because of some stereotypes?
If I have to talk about entrepreneurs facing challenges, I would definitely start with women, because, as a female entrepreneur myself, I’ve faced my fair share of struggles. In societies like ours, especially in India, women are often expected to handle the back-end work, managing things behind the scenes, while leadership is traditionally seen as a man’s role.
But here’s the thing: entrepreneurship is all about breaking those stereotypes and thinking outside the box. Every challenge I’ve faced has been an opportunity to prove that women can lead, make decisions, and build successful businesses just like anyone else. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve learned to trust my vision, stay persistent, and never let anyone define my journey.
To all the women out there feeling like giving up because of these stereotypes—don’t give up. Success doesn’t fit into one mold. It’s about creating your path, taking charge, and showing the world what you’re capable of. Keep pushing, keep fighting, and remember, you are more than enough. The world needs more female leaders, and you are one of them.
Prime Insights: What does the company hold for it in the future (plans)?
When I think about the future of my company, I’m really excited about where we’re headed. I’ve set some big goals for the next six months, like growing our client base to 90+ and planning to form over 10 new B2B tie-ups, which will help expand our reach. I’m looking to grow our team as well, bringing in more talented people, including 5 new sales representatives based in the US to help us scale internationally.
On top of that, we’re making some bold moves, like opening an office in Dubai to tap into new markets. We’re also gearing up for the launch of two new products that I believe will add great value to our clients. One of our biggest milestones will be taking over a B2C brand to diversify our portfolio even further.
Prime Insights: What milestones and achievements do the company boast of?
I’m incredibly proud of the milestones my company has reached. One of our biggest achievements is helping clients generate over 58 million USD (around 485 crore INR), which shows our growth and success. What I’m most proud of, though, is the value we’ve created, especially for businesses that were struggling. By working with them, we’ve been able to significantly increase their return on ad spend (ROAS). Seeing these businesses grow because of our work is what keeps me driven. We’ve come a long way, and I’m excited for what’s ahead!
Prime Insights: How are you giving back to society (CSR)?
My husband and I are passionate about supporting underprivileged children, especially when it comes to education. With the help of 3,000 business people from around the world, we’ve been fortunate to contribute to building over 1,000 schools. This has given countless children the chance to get a better education and, in turn, a brighter future. It’s been amazing to see how our collective efforts are making a real difference in society.
Prime Insights: Lastly, is there a message you would like to give to Prime Insights readers?
To all the readers, I want to say that the road may get tough at times, but remember, every challenge is an opportunity to grow. Keep learning, stay motivated, and never give up.
A piece of advice that I live by is, “What took you to number 2 will never take you to number 1.” In other words, you always need to evolve, make changes, and push yourself to the next level. It’s the constant tweaks and improvements that keep you moving forward. So, keep pushing boundaries, stay curious, and always strive for the next milestone. You’ve got this!
