Company: STHETIK STUDIO (freelance)
Founder: Steven Seip
Date of foundation: October 2024
Industry and company: Communication design (branding & corporate identity)

What drives you? What is your motto?
"Your brand deserves good design." Because good ideas only have their full impact if they are well designed.

What is your start-up about and what is special about it?
A strong brand is like a lighthouse. It attracts the right people and gives them direction. I help companies to develop precisely this radiance with design: authentic, memorable, targeted. I work closely with a network of photo, video and web professionals for holistic brand support.

What are your first successes?
One special moment was when a customer said after the brand relaunch: "At last it feels like me." That's when I knew: my design helps people to find themselves in their brand. But it's just as motivating when customers tell me how often they are approached about their professional appearance - a sign that good design stands out from the crowd.

What is your professional background?
I initially graduated with a degree in economics, but then deliberately chose communication design. During my studies, I worked as a copywriter in an advertising agency and learned how much impact the right words and strong concepts can have. After graduating, it was clear that I wanted to implement my own ideas and take on responsibility. That's how STHETIK STUDIO came about - from the desire to work creatively and entrepreneurially.

What prompted you to set up your own company?
I realized early on that I wanted to make a difference with design and make the world a better place. Working at the agency was instructive and inspiring, but at some point I realized that in order to live my dream, I had to start my own business as a designer. That's the only way I can realize my own visions.

Who advised you, who are your helpers and mentors?
With Felix Lorang, founder and Managing Director of FLS Tax, I had a strong partner right from the start who continues to support me with all tax and organizational issues. But I also realized how important friends and colleagues are: Emá Tanée, talented freelance photographer, Aleyna Krummeck and Alex Hüge, founders of Consistent Media, as well as other creative friends inspire and motivate me every day with ideas, honest feedback and their experience as self-employed people.

How did you experience the first few days as a founder?
The first few days were exciting and quiet at the same time. No boss, no team, no routine. Just me, lots of ideas and the question: where do I start? In this void, I learned to work in a structured and goal-oriented way. And with every day, my self-confidence as an entrepreneur grew.

What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges was to confidently represent the value of my work. Initially, I underpriced my services out of insecurity, but not everyone recognized the value behind them. With time, experience and honest feedback, I learned that if you deliver quality, you can charge quality prices.

How do you draw attention to your company? What is your best marketing idea?
I rely on honest referral marketing and present my work on social media, especially via Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. I not only show finished designs there, but also share design processes, thoughts and ideas. This creates trust and visibility at the same time.

How did you finance your start-up?
I financed my start-up with my own funds and income from my first projects. Fortunately, my company can be scaled bit by bit - so I was able to start without needing a lot of capital and continue to grow steadily.

What dream would you still like to realize?
My dream is to travel through Asia and South America with my laptop in my backpack and create brands that make an impact from anywhere in the world.

Please complete the following sentence: If I had more time, I would ...
... read more and learn new things.

What is your special tip: What would you recommend to founders?
Show yourself, be courageous and build a network of people who believe in you, honestly support you and want to grow with you.