1. What were the main drivers for founding Lista? What is the unique solution that you offer to your customers – Amazon brands?
The idea for the Lista came up very organically. At our Fliprise design agency, we have been working with Amazon clients since 2016. In these 6 years, we have had the opportunity to elevate Amazon brands into Amazon giants. In order to optimize the work, it was crucial to design cleverly formulated templates that emphasize the superiority of our products over the competition.
When we saw the impact of templates on conversion and savings we decided to create a platform that would offer to generate product images based on such templates. In just a few minutes and without the need for a designer. The images created through Lista can be integrated directly into Amazon product display pages. We are working on a number of new unique benefits.
2. How did your freelance experience help you start your own business? Which, strategies do you still use and serve you in your entrepreneurial days? What do you miss most about working as a freelancer?
My freelancing experience forced me to start my own business. For me, this process was neither easy nor clear. I jumped headfirst and aimed to satisfy the demand. My strategy was through authentic, sincere customer care and working on their vision, to create a company through which I would achieve more than I could alone. Provided that success was shared with employees and they had the opportunity to grow and develop with me.
Freelance is for people who want independence and freedom. Business is for people who are willing to take risks and take responsibility for others. I miss independence and freedom sometimes. But it can’t compare with the pride I feel from all our joint successes as a company and the personal growth I have achieved precisely because of that responsibility.
3. What are your predictions for the startup community? Can freelancers make a difference in the development of this ecosystem?
I had my first contact with the startup ecosystem when I was a co-owner of Networker and from that experience, I got the impression that there are many ideas and few sources of funding for them compared to other countries in the region and beyond. Freelancers are ideal players in this climate because they are paid only for their input and usually do not burden the budget, but they work mostly in the micro-environment of startups, which I think contributes more slowly to major changes at the ecosystem level. I think that only investment agents can make a fundamental change in the development of the startup community: more investors, more funds, and much (much) more money.
4. On Founders Night, from freelancers to co-founders you mentioned that the Lista team is currently expanding. Can you tell us what profile of people you are looking for? How would these individuals contribute to the future of Lista?
First of all, I would like to thank you for inviting me to Founders Night. From that presentation, we saw a great interest in cooperation with freelancers, and that testifies to your influence on the startup community.
Lista has so far only collected pre-seed investments in the amount of over 200,000 EUR. In the period ahead we will need creative minds who will work on marketing strategy and activities with us. We are looking for the best: the most creative, the most experienced, the smartest people, who will help build a recognizable Macedonian brand in the field of Amazon design services.
