Guest: Arvind Athreya, Founding Partner of Firebrand Labs

🎧 Duration: 01:13:04

📅 Release Date: 04th May 2025

Episode Summary

In this powerful episode of Changepreneurs, we dive deep into the life and mind of Arvind Athreya, founding partner ofFirebrand Labs, a design-led creative studio based in Chennai. Arvind opens up about his personal journey with dyslexia, the early challenges it posed, and how it ultimately shaped his creative advantage and entrepreneurial spirit.

From being a differently-abled learner to becoming a sought-after creative strategist working with global brands,Arvind’s story is a testament to resilience, empathy, and original thinking. He reflects on how education systems need a rethink, shares thoughts on homeschooling, talks candidly about parenting, and offers timeless insights into storytelling, marketing, leadership, and hiring for culture.

If you’re a founder, educator, parent, or creative professional, this conversation will stay with you long after theepisode ends.

Topics Covered

 00:00 – Introduction to Arvind's Journey

 01:45 – Growing Up Dyslexic: Early Challenges

 08:45 – How Learning Disabilities Influence Life Choices

 11:36 – Taking the Leap: Arvind’s Entrepreneurial Start

 17:22 – Managing Boredom, Creativity & Team Culture

 22:19 – Dyslexia as a Superpower in Creative Thinking

 27:19 – Empowering Parents: Raising Differently Abled Children

 30:48 – Homeschooling & Education Outside the System

 34:20 – Building Empathy into Learning Environments

 36:51 – Writing a Book: Reflections and Process

 38:38 – Learning from CEOs: Strategy Meets Sensitivity

 42:44– Marketing with Meaning: Getting Communication Right

 45:30 – Storytelling as a Business Super Tool

 50:55 – Hiring Through Books: A Unique Culture Fit Filter

 53:49 – Prioritizing Time, Opportunity, and Authenticity

 56:43 – Communication as a Core Life Skill

 01:00:08 – How to Build Meaningful Relationships

 01:01:34 – Becoming a Lifelong Learner

 01:03:12 – Mentorship and Growth: Lessons That Matter

 01:06:25 – Rapid Fire: Fun, Books, and Big Ideas

Key Takeaways

Dyslexia isn’t a disadvantage — it's a different lens that drives creativity.

Redefining education starts with empathy, personalization, and bold choices.

Storytelling isn’t fluff — it’s the backboneof impactful communication.

 Hiring for culture can begin with something as simple (and telling) as books.

 Leadership is about authenticity, not just metrics.

About Arvind Athreya

Arvind is the founding partner of Firebrand Labs, where he leads creative strategy, business alignment, and culturalevolution. With over 12 years of experience building a close-knit team of 25 creators, he’s deeply committed to designing human-centered brand narratives. A perfectionist and a thinker, Arvind thrives at the intersection of creativityand business purpose.

Links & Resources

🔗 https://firebrandlabs.in

🔗 Follow Arvind on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/arvindaathreya/

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