Drishti Panjwani is the founder and CEO of For The Optics, a Singapore-headquartered digital agency that offers services like digital marketing strategy, social media management, and more. 

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👋🏼  How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

It's like being Dumbledore, but instead of teaching at Hogwarts, our clients are our students, and we teach them how to master the digital realm. 

We use not wands but stylos to create unique and awe-inspiring digital experiences that transport our clients' brands to new heights of success.

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🧐  What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

I'm obsessed with escape rooms. 

I find that the skills required to solve puzzles and work through challenges in an escape room are actually quite relevant to the problem-solving and teamwork needed to run a company. 

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‍🏆  What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Being recognized by the NRI Organisation as an Outstanding Global Indian of the Year at the House of Lords, UK, on Women's Day. 

The award recognised For The Optics's efforts in servicing the healthcare industry in an unprecedented capacity, stepping up to provide free creative and digital services to those in the healthcare industry serving as frontliners.

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🔍  What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?

Everyone talks about AI, but for me, it's the rise of no-code platforms. 

No-code platforms are the new WIX for apps, and AI is only accelerating this trend. With visual interfaces and drag-and-drop tools, anyone can build websites, apps, and other digital products without any coding experience. 

This is a game-changer for small businesses and startups, allowing them to focus on their core functions instead of technical development. 

As a digital agency, we're watching this trend closely and integrating it into our services to deliver more value to our clients.

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💼  What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry? 

Develop a "Teflon skin," and let criticism slide off like a pat of butter on a hot skillet. 

When things go wrong (and they inevitably will), use the experience as a springboard to bounce back even stronger. 

Treat mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow, and take a cue from the great inventor, Thomas Edison, who famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

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🗣  What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours? 

Fashion. It has always been a reflection of our society, culture, and values, telling the stories of social and political movements. 

The integration of technology in fashion has made it that much more fascinating. 

The virtual world has become a new platform for designers to showcase their collections, providing opportunities for digital fashion shows and even NFTs. 

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🎥  What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

My favorite movie is Adjustment Bureau, and my favorite TV show is either The Newsroom or The Crazy Ones.

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🍨  What's your go-to ice cream flavor?

Ube or charcoal.