> [View Portfolio Project](https://read.cv/theserban/takameru)

Design Agency 2022 - 2023

Role: Founder

Overview:

In this short text, I'm sharing the story of Takameru, a design agency I started in 2022 when I was just 19. It's about how the company evolved, worked with over 20 different clients, and always focused on telling stories through minimalist designs that everyone could use. I'll talk about the ups and downs, what I learned from the strategic partnership with Cybershift and others, and how all these experiences helped me grow, leading up to Takameru merging into a bigger project called Blureo.

Starting Out:

Takameru began with a simple idea: make designs that not only look good but also tell a story and are easy for anyone to access. I didn't do it alone; I worked with many talented people, teamed up with another company, Cybershift, for building better websites and web apps on projects ranging from personal health to tech companies and car repair shops. This mix showed how flexible and creative Takameru could be.

Challenges:

The road was anything but smooth. Being young, I often struggled to command fair prices for our services. My age seemed to undermine the agency's credibility, making financial negotiations tougher than they needed to be. The business world felt like a minefield; from accounting to contracts, everything was new and daunting. Mistakes were made, some of which cost me dearly, like working without contracts or providing free work in hopes of securing future business.

Partnering with Cybershift seemed like a beacon of hope, but it brought its own set of challenges, like tech adoption and explaining the new. Operating in Romania, where design is not as valued as in other markets, added another layer of difficulty. There were months of feeling down, not wanting to do anything, which only compounded the challenges.

Simultaneously, I attempted to launch other projects, spreading myself too thin and not dedicating enough time to Takameru. Sales were daunting due to my struggle with impostor syndrome, making it hard to confidently promote our services. Interestingly, the professional facade of our website gave the impression of a large company, while in reality, it was mostly just me with some external support.

Collaborations with other agencies presented opportunities, but non-disclosure agreements meant I couldn't showcase much of this work in our portfolio. Financial instability was a recurring theme, with months where the agency generated no income, which was frightening. In an attempt to pivot, I explored various projects, like smart business cards named Meishi, and offered free services to NGOs to boost our visibility. Yet, challenges like the agency's name being hard to pronounce and my tendency to overthink the branding strategy were additional hurdles.

Lessons Learned:

Through these challenges, the lessons were profound. First, the importance of formal agreements in business cannot be overstated. They protect both parties and ensure clarity and professionalism. Learning to navigate business operations, from accounting to legal contracts, was invaluable, despite the steep learning curve.

The experience with Cybershift, despite its ups and downs, taught me the significance of clear communication and trust in partnerships. The difficulties of making a name in the design industry, especially in a challenging market like Romania, underscored the importance of perseverance and innovation.

Personal struggles with motivation and impostor syndrome revealed the need for self-care and confidence in one's abilities. They taught me that taking on too much can dilute focus and impact. The facade of being a larger company was a double-edged sword; it brought in clients but also set expectations that were challenging to meet single-handedly.

Moving On:

The transition to Blureo was a culmination of all these lessons. It represented not just a merger of projects but a strategic pivot that incorporated everything learned from Takameru's journey. Acknowledging my limits, focusing on what truly mattered, and applying the hard lessons of business, partnership, and self-promotion were crucial steps in moving forward.

Conclusion:

Looking back, Takameru was more than just a company; it was a personal growth journey through the world of entrepreneurship. It taught me the realities of starting and running a business, the importance of resilience, and the value of learning from every situation.

Key Takeaways:

* It's important to have official agreements in business and to know how businesses work.

* Being strong and bouncing back from tough times is key to doing well in the long run.

* It's good to have big goals but also be realistic to stay on track and grow steadily.

* Feeling like you're not good enough is normal, but you can beat it by believing in yourself.

* Every problem teaches us something, helping us get better at handling things in the future.

> Related Portfolio Projects:
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> [Logofolio Tech 2022](https://read.cv/theserban/logofolio22)
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> [Takameru Branding & Ideation](https://read.cv/theserban/takameru)