At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Shruti Khatri for an exclusive interview with us. Shruti is an Entrepreneur, Brand Consultant and Founder at Behind The Stage. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Shruti:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
It all began even when I was not in the field yet, i.e., when I was pursuing my PGDM in Mass Communication and Journalism. Between those lectures and late-night assignments, I found myself drawn to the art of storytelling—curating engaging scripts for corporate films that gave life to the visions of industries and educational institutes. That was the moment I realised: communication isn’t just about words, it’s about creating an impact which can stay with the audience.
With a specialisation in Advertising and PR, I began seeing the world through a fresh lens—where strategy and creativity could meet to build brands people could remember. My BBA in Marketing had already planted the seeds, but this was where the field became second nature to me. Marketing wasn’t just a subject—it was a mindset I carried everywhere, and I still do.
Over time, I discovered what I truly enjoyed—transforming complex ideas into clear, concrete communication; building strategies rooted in both creativity and research; and exploring the limitless space where the physical, digital, and phygital worlds intersect.
That passion eventually grew into my own venture. Today, I proudly lead a branding agency – Behind The Stage, that has been thriving for over a decade, serving across four dynamic verticals—Branding, Digital Marketing, Films, and Content Marketing. What started as curiosity during my student days has now become a journey of helping businesses and individuals shape their stories, strengthen their presence, and create lasting impact.
‘Behind The Stage’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
That is an interesting story, actually. The name is close to my heart as the brand naming of our very own agency was too significant for us. The name signifies that we are behind the stage and bringing the businesses forward to the forefront and making it shine. When it came to choosing what we would be called, I knew it had to reflect more than just a business identity. It had to capture our philosophy.
That’s how Behind The Stage, aka BTS Communication, was born. Over the years, this philosophy has defined our roller coaster journey. Whether it’s through Branding, Digital Marketing, Films, or Content Marketing, we continue to play the role of the enabler and empowering—the driving force behind the scenes—while our clients enjoy their well-deserved spotlight at the forefront.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
Ours is undeniably a cut-throat and volatile industry, where trends shift overnight and challenges are constant. But what keeps me going is the very reason I stepped into this space—the thrill of creating something meaningful out of uncertainty for our clients.
For me, every challenge is an opportunity to think differently, to push boundaries, and to bring out solutions that truly impact our clients’ businesses. The satisfaction of watching an idea take shape and actually fuel growth for a brand is what drives me every single day.
Yes, the industry is competitive. Yes, it demands resilience. But I believe that’s exactly what makes it exciting and thrilling. Because at the heart of it all, it’s creativity, problem-solving, and the joy of seeing our clients shine that fuels me—and my team—to keep moving forward, no matter how tough things get.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
If I talk specifically about my company, BTS Communication, then I would definitely not miss these 3 life lessons.
1. Building relationships is more valuable than short-term gains: Like we have always focused on building client relationships and not just have a transactional one. I feel businesses are built on trust and we also provide the same for our clients. We help build trust for their businesses too for their target audience.
2. Adaptability is survival in marketing and branding: We constantly adapt. Learning, unlearning and re-learning is something that is one of the core parts of our business and we have to just tone it according to our business values.
3. Clear and Honest Communication: We don’t oversell, we don’t lie, and we don’t upsell. Clear communication with realistic goals and expectations is what goes a long way. Again, that goes back to building trust.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
1. Never be afraid to experiment: Taking something new and then executing it takes courage and I feel that is one of the most significant aspects for any individual.
2. Failure: The irony is apparent. But, yes fear of failure makes people not even think beyond their comfort zone. To be human is to err. And either you succeed or you learn.
3. Resilience: Business and marketing both come with highs and lows — the ability to bounce back is critical. And you just need to get back up.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Focus on learning, not just earning.
Your early career is the time to build skills, gain exposure, and expand your perspective. The money always follows when your skills have depth and real value.
Play the long game. Invest in yourself first.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
Now, it has been a decade of our company and what makes my journey with BTS Communication truly satisfying is the impact we create — taking a client’s vision and turning it into a visible, trusted brand is incredibly rewarding.
It’s also exciting that no two projects are alike; every campaign challenges us creatively and keeps us on our toes. And perhaps most fulfilling is seeing my team grow alongside the agency — watching people evolve, learn, and take ownership makes this journey more meaningful than just building a business.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
