Turning Point Entrepreneur Stories

Ilya Kroogman of The Digital Panda

Blaine Bertsch Season 4 Episode 65

In this episode of "Turning Point," Blaine Bertsch, CEO of Dryrun, interviews Ilya Kroogman, founder of The Digital Panda, about his entrepreneurial journey and business growth. They discuss the challenges of hiring and the transition to remote work, emphasizing the importance of hiring for culture fit. The conversation dives into the impact of the pandemic on agencies, highlighting the benefits and challenges of a distributed team. 

Ilya shares his insights on client relationships, networking, and the importance of positive interactions for business development. They also explore the evolving dynamics of office culture and the economic impact of the pandemic, as well as touch on the role of AI in marketing and the resilience of businesses during tough times. Tune in to learn from their experiences and gain valuable insights into navigating the changing business landscape.

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Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/izXw6IYzoyk

Listen on your favourite podcast network or at turningpoint.buzzsprout.com

Learn more about Ilya at thedigitalpanda.com

Listen on your favourite podcast network or at turningpoint.buzzsprout.com

Learn more about Mike and AMZ Advisors at amzadvisers.com/

#Entrepreneur #founder #business #turningpoint #entrepreneurstories


Summary

In this conversation, Blaine Bertsch, CEO of Dryrun, interviews Ilya Kroogman, founder of Digital Panda, discussing their entrepreneurial journeys, business growth, hiring challenges, and the shift to remote work. They share insights on starting a business, pivoting, client relationships, and the importance of hiring for culture. The conversation also touches on the impact of the pandemic on agencies and the value of distributed work. The conversation covers the impact of remote work, the challenges and benefits of a distributed team, the changing dynamics of office culture, the economic impact of the pandemic, and the future outlook for businesses. It also delves into the challenges faced by creative agencies, the impact of AI on marketing, and the resilience of businesses during tough times.

Takeaways

  • Entrepreneurial Journey: Ilya's journey from high school jobs to founding Digital Panda and the challenges and learning experiences along the way.
  • Business Growth and Pivoting: The evolution of Digital Panda from selling ice cream at a night market to expanding into UX/UI design and marketing strategy.
  • Client Relationships: The importance of client relationships, networking, and the impact of good work and positive interactions on business development.
  • Hiring Challenges: The significance of being selective in hiring, testing rigorously, and hiring for culture fit, especially in a distributed work environment.
  • Pandemic Impact and Remote Work: The challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic for agencies, the shift to remote work, and the value of distributed teams. Remote work has both advantages and disadvantages, with the pandemic accelerating the acceptance of distributed teams.
  • The pandemic has changed the dynamics of office culture, leading to a more hybrid approach to work.
  • The economic impact of the pandemic has been significant, with businesses facing challenges and uncertainties.
  • Creative agencies have had to adapt to changing market dynamics, including the impact of AI on marketing and the need for high

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