Inspiring Conversations with Aby Varma of Spark Novus

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aby Varma.

Hi Aby, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been drawn to the moments where people, ideas, and technology mesh to create something new. That curiosity has shaped every step of my career. Experiencing different cultures and perspectives along the way expanded that curiosity even further, giving me a global lens for understanding how people communicate, collaborate, and build. That view continues to influence the way I approach marketing, leadership, and community.

My career started with sales and business development, where I learned how decisions are made and how much progress depends on genuine connection. I later moved into web development, which taught me how systems work and how products come to life. That blend of human understanding and technical problem solving eventually pulled me toward digital marketing, where creativity, data, product thinking, and customer insight all come together. As my experience evolved, so did the desire to build something of my own, and that curiosity laid the foundation for my entrepreneurial journey.

As AI started reshaping how marketing teams operate, the opportunity became clear. Leaders were excited but unsure how to move forward responsibly and with confidence. That insight became the catalyst for Spark Novus, where I now help teams adopt AI in a way that strengthens creativity, improves workflows, and supports real business outcomes.

Alongside that work, I launched the Marketing AI Pulse community and The Marketing AI SparkCast podcast to create spaces where people can learn together, experiment, and build momentum.

I also serve as Head of Marketing for TEDxAtlanta, which is one of the most meaningful ways I give back and support ideas that inspire change in the community.

Separately, I contribute to the Forbes Communications Council, sharing perspectives on AI, marketing, and the shifts reshaping the industry.

My journey hasn’t followed a straight line, but it has always followed a simple belief. When people understand what is possible and feel supported through change, they create work that moves organizations forward.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Growth rarely happens in moments of ease. The most meaningful shifts in my career have come from stepping into roles or situations that didn’t feel familiar at all. It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but the discomfort has been the catalyst for everything I’ve learned.

Most of the challenges showed up during the transitions that shaped my path. Moving from sales to technology required a completely different way of thinking. Shifting from development to marketing meant learning how to blend creativity with data and customer insight. Each shift stretched me in ways that didn’t always feel comfortable at the time.

The start of my entrepreneurial journey brought its own set of challenges. There’s no playbook for building something from scratch. You’re making decisions with imperfect information, balancing urgency with patience, and learning to trust your own judgment while still staying open to feedback. It forces you to develop a different level of resilience.

AI has added another layer. The pace of change is exciting, but it also means constantly rethinking what you know, adapting quickly, and helping clients navigate uncertainty while managing your own. That requires continuous learning and a willingness to evolve in real time.

Still, the challenges have been the most instructive parts of the journey. They’ve made me more adaptable, more curious, and more focused on helping others move through their own moments of change with confidence.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Spark Novus?
𝗤𝟭. 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Spark Novus is built on a simple idea. AI should make marketing teams stronger. Too often the conversation around AI focuses on tools, automation, or replacement. What most leaders actually need is a strategic and responsible path that helps their teams work smarter while preserving the creativity, judgment, and collaboration that make marketing effective. At its core, Spark Novus provides AI consulting, training, and implementation services for CMOs and marketing leaders.

𝗤𝟮. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄?
We help marketing leaders move from curiosity about AI to confident, strategic adoption. Our work spans advisory support, hands-on training, pilot programs, and implementation. Whether a team is just getting started or ready to scale, our focus is always on building capability, confidence, and measurable business impact.

𝗤𝟯. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼? 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗶𝗻 / 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿?
We help marketing teams understand, integrate, and maximize the value of AI across their entire function. Our work spans strategy development, capability building, workflow redesign, hands-on enablement, governance guidance, and implementation support. We’re known for taking AI from theory to practice, helping teams move beyond experimentation into meaningful, sustainable use.

What sets our specialization apart is how we blend strategy with real-world application. We don’t drop in tools and walk away. We help teams reshape how they work, strengthen their creative and analytical capabilities, and build the internal confidence needed to use AI responsibly and effectively.

𝗤𝟰. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀?
Our philosophy. AI is not the hero. People are. Everything we do reinforces the idea that technology should amplify teams, not replace them. We focus on responsible integration, long-term capability building, and outcomes that matter to the business.

𝗤𝟱. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲?
We’re most proud of the trust Spark Novus has earned. Leaders often begin the journey with uncertainty, and they leave with clarity. They know our guidance is thoughtful, human-centered, and designed to elevate both their teams and the broader organization.

𝗤𝟲. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱, 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗲𝘁𝗰.?
Spark Novus offers AI consulting, training, and implementation services designed specifically for CMOs and marketing leaders. Our goal is to help teams integrate AI in a strategic and responsible way that enhances their creativity, efficiency, and impact.

𝗔𝗜 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀: Helping teams identify high-value use cases, build 90-day adoption plans, launch early pilots, and create the governance needed for responsible scaling.

𝗔𝗜 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Equipping marketing teams with hands-on skills so AI becomes part of everyday workflows.

𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Providing CMOs and marketing leaders with frameworks to make confident decisions about AI adoption and readiness.

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: Supporting MarTech evaluation, workflow redesign, governance, and rollout to help teams scale AI with clarity and confidence.

Spark Novus helps marketing organizations use AI in ways that strengthen their people and accelerate meaningful progress.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
No one builds something meaningful alone. Spark Novus has grown because of the people who believed in the work early, challenged my thinking, and opened doors at the moments when momentum truly mattered.

I’ve been fortunate to have mentors, leaders, and coworkers throughout my career who helped sharpen my strategic lens, pushed me to raise the bar, and offered honest feedback when it mattered most. Their guidance and encouragement shaped both the direction of the business and my own growth as a leader.

I’m also grateful for the clients who trusted Spark Novus at pivotal stages of their AI journey. Their willingness to experiment, collaborate, and bring their teams into the process made the work meaningful. Many became advocates who helped extend the impact beyond a single engagement.

And the broader community has been a powerful force. The conversations, collaboration, and momentum that come through the Marketing AI Pulse community and the wider network of marketers exploring AI have contributed ideas, energy, and perspective that continue to fuel the mission of helping teams adopt AI thoughtfully and responsibly.

I also credit my family for shaping how I lead and build. My father served in the military, and watching him taught me the value of grit, discipline, and leadership. My mother spent much of her career with UNICEF, and from her I learned empathy, diplomacy, and the importance of bringing people together.

My wife and children ground everything I do. They give me perspective, clarity, and a sense of purpose that carries into my work. Their support and the balance they bring to my life make it possible to show up fully for the people and communities I serve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sparknovus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparknovus/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sparknovus/
• Twitter: https://x.com/sparknovus/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SparkNovus?sub_confirmation=1
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VIDK5X5P5kGb2I8GwyLk9?dlsi=9fd575b317da4b44&nd=1&si=63778708e4b3416a