The first time I became aware of what a business really is was while I was studying, reading an interview with Frank Gehry. They said his office had around 100 to 150 people. For a young dreamer, that felt like the goal.
But once I graduated, reality was different. I had already started to notice it while studying, but there’s a big gap between school and actually practicing. Something you mention, and something I didn’t expect to deal with, and honestly don’t enjoy, is all the administrative side: invoices, contracts, payments, taxes…
I realized pretty quickly that I preferred being a small studio. At our peak we were around 6 people. My partner handled all the administrative side, which allowed me to focus on designing, on the creative part, which is what I really enjoy.
Still, another layer always shows up: all the technical information needed to actually build something. I didn’t hesitate to hire to protect that creative time, but honestly, I’m not sure we really made a meaningful difference. We’re still working on that, trying to keep that direct connection without it getting diluted.
Now I’m exploring new directions, all still around creativity. Although I do think even something like working on an Excel sheet can have a creative side, but you get what I mean.
I don’t have a clear path yet. I’ve done a course, used AI to structure and organize things, and I use it to edit, especially because of my accent mistakes in Spanish. It has helped me gain some confidence.
But I also see what you’re saying: everything starts to feel the same. Even when the idea is original, it ends up falling into the same structure, the same shape, and loses strength. I don’t really like using AI for ideas, or to summarize texts like this. I feel like I’ll remember different things, different parts. I have used it for more specific stuff, like with The Millionaire Next Door, but that’s a different use.
For me, the creative part is like going to a party or somewhere you actually enjoy. It would feel strange to send someone else in your place.
And even though I like writing, I had never really done it like this, to express what I think. I doubt a lot, and that’s where AI helps me organize things, but I try not to let it take over the core.
On your last point, I have a similar intuition. I think companies are moving toward micro niches. I was thinking about it recently reading about Nike and its drop in the market, and how smaller brands are taking share. Even athletes building their own brands.
You don’t need to build a massive structure anymore. But at the same time, it probably makes everything more competitive, more fragmented, and harder to capture a large share of the market.
Congrats on those 6 years working solo