Apoorva Kulkarni: From Finance to Digital Brand Storytelling

The journey of an entrepreneur often begins long before the company is registered or the first client is signed. For Apoorva Kulkarni, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Devakey Digital Solutions Pvt. Ltd., the foundation of her venture was laid not in a newsroom or a creative studio, but inside the Assurance department of EY.

Surrounded by spreadsheets, audits, and financial reviews, Apoorva was building a career rooted in precision and discipline. Yet, beneath the numbers, there was a growing pull towards words, stories, and creative expression. That contrast between structure and storytelling would later become the defining strength of her entrepreneurial journey.

Today, Apoorva leads Devakey Digital Solutions with a rare perspective that blends analytical thinking with narrative depth. Her professional evolution from finance and auditing to journalism and digital branding has shaped the agency’s philosophy, one where strategy and storytelling work in sync rather than in silos.

Where It All Began

The spark for Devakey Digital Solutions came from an unexpected place. While working at EY, Apoorva met her future husband and co-founder. Both were immersed in the world of audits and compliance, but conversations between numbers soon gave way to a shared realization. They enjoyed writing blogs, poetry, and discussing the most recent books they read.

After completing her Bachelor’s in Commerce and CA-Inter, Apoorva went on to complete her Master’s in Journalism and Mass Communication with exceptionally high CGPA.

It was during this time that both Apoorva and Yash noticed a glaring gap in the market. Businesses were growing rapidly, but many struggled to clearly communicate who they were and why they mattered. Good writing was either missing or treated as an afterthought.

In 2018, driven by this insight, the duo took their first entrepreneurial step by launching HappyPuppy Writing Company. What started as a focused writing venture gradually revealed deeper challenges faced by business owners, challenges that went beyond content alone.

Identifying the Real Problem

As the writing business grew, Apoorva and her team began working closely with founders, CXOs, and professionals across industries. A consistent issue surfaced across conversations. Clients were exhausted by fragmented execution.

Websites were built by one vendor, branding by another, content by a third, and SEO by yet another. The result was brand inconsistency, scattered communication, and founders acting as full-time project managers for their own digital presence.

There was no single creative authority overseeing the entire journey. Without that leadership, even well-funded digital efforts felt disjointed.

This insight marked a turning point. Clients were not just looking for content or design. They wanted clarity, cohesion, and a partner who could own the entire digital narrative.

Devakey Digital Solutions was born out of this realization.

Building a One-Stop Digital Ecosystem

Devakey Digital Solutions positions itself as an end-to-end creative and digital partner. The agency brings branding, content, design, SEO, and development under one roof, removing friction from the client’s journey.

Their service offerings include logo and identity branding, SEO-optimized website design and development, creative content writing and ghostwriting, digital strategy, and social media and video content production.

What sets Devakey apart is not just the breadth of services, but the mindset behind them. Apoorva’s background in audit introduced a culture of detail, transparency, and accountability. Her training in journalism and her work experience in the digital marketing world ensures that every brand story is rooted in clarity, context, and human relevance.

Instead of chasing aesthetics alone, the team focuses on research-driven execution. Every brand voice is carefully studied. Every strategy is built with both discoverability and authenticity in mind.

Clients ranging from industry experts and angel investors to corporate leaders in B2C, B2B manufacturing and service, have trusted Devakey to shape their digital presence with intent rather than noise.

Challenges Along the Way

Building a creative agency comes with its own set of challenges. For Devakey, two stood out early on.

The first was talent. Finding people who could balance technical SEO knowledge with creative storytelling was not easy. Apoorva addressed this by hiring for curiosity and attitude rather than only experience. The team culture emphasizes continuous learning, strong work ethics, and respect for both creativity and structure.

The second challenge was standing out in an overcrowded digital marketing space. Many agencies claimed to be full-service, but few delivered with consistency and depth.

Devakey’s response was simple yet demanding. Deliver strong work, on-time, backed by research and transparent reporting. Over time, satisfied clients became the agency’s strongest advocates.

There was also a personal element of fate involved. Meeting her co-founder at EY brought together complementary strengths, discipline from the corporate world and passion for storytelling, which became the backbone of the company.

A Defining Milestone

One of the most significant milestones for Devakey Digital Solutions was moving from a remote-first setup to establishing a dedicated office space that consists of a team of over 27 professionals.

Collaboration happens in conversations, quick discussions, and shared energy. Bringing writers, designers, developers, editors, and strategists under one roof unlocked a new level of synergy.

The office also enabled the team to scale operations efficiently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and build a tangible culture that clients could see and experience firsthand.

This shift was not just logistical. It symbolized Devakey’s transformation from a boutique writing firm into a full-service digital agency with the capability to drive measurable impact.

Looking Ahead

Apoorva envisions the next five years as a period of bold expansion and deeper influence. Her ambition is clear. She wants Devakey Digital Solutions to become a benchmark for creative excellence in India, comparable in rigor and credibility to the Big Four in professional services.

The roadmap includes serving global clients, scaling operations through strong systems, and positioning Indian creative talent on an international stage. Another major focus is Devakey Diaries, the company’s flagship podcast for entrepreneurs, which Apoorva aims to grow into one of India’s most trusted business podcasts.

At the core of these plans lies the same philosophy that started it all. Numbers must support narratives, and creativity must be accountable.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Reflecting on her journey, Apoorva shares three lessons for those looking to build something of their own.

First, courage is essential. Stepping away from stability requires belief in your vision. Second, patience matters. Growth takes time, and consistency compounds. Third, always go the extra mile. In a crowded digital world, attention to detail and genuine care for client outcomes make all the difference.

Above all, she encourages entrepreneurs to stay authentic. Professional discipline and personality can coexist, and often, that balance is what builds lasting credibility.

Closing Thoughts

From audit reports to brand narratives, Apoorva Kulkarni’s journey is a reminder that diverse experiences can shape powerful businesses. Devakey Digital Solutions stands today as a reflection of that belief, a place where strategy meets storytelling, and structure supports creativity.

Connect with Apoorva

To learn more, visit www.devakey.com , or follow her insights on LinkedIn and Instagram.