Only a year ago, we became a 'proper agency'. Nine months before that, we were two Co-Founders and wore every hat. We were fueled by a burning bridge mentality and a belief that anything can be done with focus and hard work.
Having the right business partner gives you an unfair advantage from the start. Friendship, shared values, complimentary skills and respect mean you're never alone.
You're in start-up mode, 'living the dream'.
You work every evening, every weekend, every waking hour, never once taking the privilege of building your own thing for granted.
But let's not glamourize the grind.
But equally, let's never try to big up 'the grind'. Having suffered from burnout like many of us have, I could never promote working practices that might lead to such a spirit-sapping cul-de-sac.
The always insightful 37 signals newsletter sums this up perfectly by showing how toxic it can be to equate having a great 'work ethic' to working excessive hours. Work smart. Not stupid.
Before registering the company, our 'Day One' goal was to build a work/life balance. Our solution was to adopt what the best tech companies are doing: The nine-day fortnight.
It's now such a privilege to create a day-to-day reality like this.
You get to choose the best possible team members to surround yourself with and author the client contracts, where you always aim to exceed their expectations and earn their trust but ask for respect in return.
From one to 11.
Although we both have experience leading big teams, it's very different when you start building your own agency team. We began with one transformational hire and ended our first full year of trading with 11.
But don't read this as a Disney version of a new agency set-up, complete with animated bluebirds, silk ribbons, and flower petals.
It's hard graft, uncertain, and you rarely get to switch off.
It's more a reflection on the 'blink and you're a team' moment, built on the
values of:
- People-first: Building an authentic culture and creating a safe space that allows us to dream big.
- All in it together: Taking a collective journey of growth - where we'll all benefit from what we achieve.
- Client contract: Exceeding expectations and expecting trust and respect in return.
- Well-being: Removing outdated ways of working, which could lead to burnout.
But most of all? It's remembering to enjoy what we do.
So, here's to you, Team LOOP. We couldn't have achieved all we have this first year without you.
Ailsa
Account Director keeping our clients happy and ensuring great work is delivered.
Likes: Matcha lattes, a good chat and city breaks.
Dislikes: Loud chewing and accidentally typing in CAPS LOCK.
Anita
Business Director, using years of agency expertise to help us build solid agency foundations.
Likes: outdoorsy days, long phone calls, saunas, red wine and chicken pie.
Dislikes: waiting, marzipan, bad coffee and smartphones.
Craig
Senior UX Designer in one of our dedicated Client Hubs, bringing a whole new expert discipline to our offering.
Likes: Travel, Cats, Model building, collecting vinyl, Trading card games
Dislikes: Ketchup, Spiders, People who play music from their phones on the bus
Ed
Co-Founder who wears the tech, design and calm hat – along with many others.
Likes: Cycling, Snowboarding, Gadgets and Tech, Gaming, Sunshine, Mountains and Food – literally all food, except anything with Cinnamon in it! 😊
Dislikes: Process for process sake, Selfishness, Cold and wet winters days, Cinnamon
Elaine
Creative Lead growing a new dedicated Client Hub and looking after us all.
Likes: My girls, family, Ibiza, Gym time, Pub Quiz, Good chat, Coffee, All the food
Dislikes: Negative vibes, bitey/stinging bugs of any kind (looking at you midgees)
Frankie
Junior UX Designer in one of our dedicated Client Hubs, bringing fresh energy and talent.
Likes: Cycling, Hiking, Drawing, Podcasts with silly facts, Spending too much money on coffee and cake
Dislikes: When wearing Air Pods, your phone reads a text when listening to music.
Kyle
Digital Designer bringing AI and technical design expertise to one of our
dedicated Client Hubs.
Likes: Hats, Technology, AI, Gaming, Family
Dislikes: Sticky Toffee Pudding!
Mike
Interim Growth Lead. Helping us grow with his depth of creative services knowledge and little black book.
Likes: The outdoors, winning new business; people cleverer than me.
Dislikes: Making up the numbers; inertia; bad coffee.
Richard
Design Director who brought the belief that we could build a team, along with tremendous digital design leadership and kindness, too.
Likes: Crafting things, be it a whole brand, an animation or a desk. While not doing those cycling, gaming or reading are often where you will find me.
Dislikes: Staying the course and not risking shaking the boat and magnolia walls.
Sophie
Digital Designer brings a fresh eye from her experience in TV and fashion.
Likes: European cities, red wine & cheese boards, modern art galleries, any food experience. Making things beautiful with design- from print publications to augmented reality experiences (pair that with a coffee or even better an espresso martini and I’m in my happy place).
Dislikes: Walking long distances (rollerblading is much more enjoyable).
Vicky
Co-Founder looking after clients, process, and finance (but thank goodness for expert partners)
Likes: Marmalade sandwiches, reading, my cocker spaniel (and family), pretending I can do Reformer Pilates
Dislikes: Red tape, Tech prompts you have to read, Waffle, Long films.
Not forgetting our wonderful Associates. Bringing expertise in Brand Embedding, Operations, Copy, Specialist Film and Animation, Digital Design and branding – we couldn't do it without you.
The question posed by Karl Sakas* feels like an appropriate conclusion:
Is your work giving you the meaning you want?
As an agency owner, it's not your team's responsibility to give you meaning. Your meaning comes from the work environment you're creating for them. Building a well-run business where people have opportunities and feel valued.
Sending love to current and potential new LOOP members. We're all in this together.
Source: Karl Sakas at https://sakasandcompany.com/