Think about how many people can you help - Story of Euphorya

Hello ! Who are you and what are you working on?

Hey, I'm Fajar Siddiq, i'm working on my boostrapped startups but mainly at the design agency and also side projects as indie maker. I also travel to do work online as Digital Nomad. Currently I'm working on a new side projects, "Makers Flix. "

What motivated you to get started with? How did you come up with the idea?

When i travel and meet other indie makers, entrepreneurs, digital nomad and bootstrapped startups, so i always thinking providing service is great as much as building a product.

Can you tell us the story of your business from idea to where you are now?

I started as a indie maker to a freelancer back in designing, year 2005 when i was 19 years old. Then from freelancer to a startup company doing design agency. 

What has been your biggest failure or struggle?

I won't say failure but there were many mistakes i made. One of the biggest mistake i didn't realize i was making was repetitive mistakes. I was making mistakes on going. The mistake i did was to take a lot of projects and trying to manage myself alone, until one day i was burnout and it was hard for me to recover from anxiety. Is either you have no projects or a lot of projects. 

And what has been your biggest achievement or success?

My biggest achievement is to maintain my monthly revenue as a service doing bootstrapped startups, also manage to sponsor a big event 2x 5,000 expo event and also i get to work with government, 30 years business companies (SME) small medium size and also MNC (multi national companies) for design sprint. 

Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers?

Portfolios and Marketing Impact

Describe the process of launching the business.

Share with friends and families, yes they will ask discount but this is the best word of mouth. Then go to social media and then to startup communities. 

Did you use Betalist or PH or other Startup Launching Platform for Launching ? How was that experience ?

Nope i don't launch on there for my startup. But for my upcoming side projects yes. Is good for most US based and as much as for international. But i don't think so it will have impact in Asia. But as much as it is, you can still launch. 

What’s your business model, and how have you grown your revenue?

B2C, B2B, Collaboration Partnership

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced and obstacles you’ve overcome? What are your goals for the future?

From being small and solo, i overcome to take bigger projects. I also overcome to stay positive as possible in my journey. My goals, is to setup an medium size agency from current just a small studio. https://buymeacoffee.com/fajarsiddiq

How are you doing today and what does the future look like?

Today is fine, i've been in the industry for 15 years and 10 years doing my startup. The future says: i should pivot my service to product making. I should work with younger generations and also to provide beneficial knowledge to impact others.

Through starting the business, have you learned anything particularly helpful or advantageous?

One thing, keep making mistakes and try again. Don't be a shame of anything but always forgive others if you done anything wrong and also most importantly take care of your mental health.

What platform/tools do you use for your business?

Apple and tons of Design Softwares. Recently, Figma. It's really awesome.

Who’s your most inspirational CEO or founder?

I met some CEO who are very successful, some Founders who made cool stuff. As for me the most recent inspirational founder is Sergio Mattei who made MakersLog he is young and because of him, i want to keep on going and keep making. But no doubt, Steve Jobs from Apple.

What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources?

Most books and podcasts are influential but i love to watch livestream of people making now. It changes the way people are making infront of you live and it gives you this amazing impact. Most books now focus alot about profit making and not really into content writing so i kinda give up reading books. About podcasts, i've listen many but my current favorite video on youtube is Y Combinator:

What’s your advice for fellow aspiring entrepreneur who are just starting out?

Think about how many people can you help, think about creating a better impact that benefit people in co-learning inside co-working digitally and pick up whatever you need along the way. Focus on various diversity community, create positive impact that create meaningful engagement, be more human, fun and open. You can be skillful in what you do but most importantly how it inspire others and change people's lives.