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Came across this budding entrepreneur whom impressed me on her dream. Read her interview transcript below:
Name of Entrepreneur / Venture and Company Motto:
Name of Entrepreneur : Yulia Saksen
Venture: Y’SAKSEN
Company Motto : Bridging imagination and realization.
I was born in Indonesia and migrated to Singapore in 1999. Upon graduating in Industrial Design from Nanyang Polytechnic of Singapore in 2006, I worked at Shimano, a leading fishing rod and bicycle manufacturer as an industrial designer. As a lead designer, I was responsible of handling cosmetic appearance design for fishing rods for Southeast Asia, Europe and Japan market. In 2009, I moved from Singapore to Milan to attain the Master Degree in Design at Domus Academy. After 5 years of experience in the creative industry, I founded y'saksen design studio to help clients added value through design, sales and marketing.
What do you do or make? * Why would I recommend you/your service to a friend or colleague? It's not required, but if you have a video explaining your company, you may also include a URL here.
We are in the business of making our clients’ business successful. At y’saksen design studio, we help our clients identify their niche qualities. To differentiate their nature of business from current
or even future competitors in the market, and at the same time creating communications that gives our clients unique, clear and powerful voices. We believe in a close working relationship with our clients; And we commit to listen to their visions and how we can turn them into reality.
What's new, interesting, or different about what your company does?* * How is your product a breakthrough or disruptively innovative? Compared to other products, why are you superior?
We provide holistic design services that bridge design, sales, and marketing to create sustainable value for our clients. Good design connects products and services, brand value, and consumer experiences. We understood that, hence we can help our clients stay relevant and competitive in this drastically changing economic landscape.
Explain how the company will make money? * What is your revenue model?
Our company has three revenue models. They are:
1. Strategic Engagement
By providing design services to our client a strategic long term basis.
2. Partnership
By collaborating with our clients (usually start-ups or young companies), providing them with design services, and in return for royalty or equity.
3. Civil work
Occasionally, we also provide ‘pro bono’ projects for government or non-profit organization as a form of social revenue for our designers and communities.
Why is the addressable market you are targeting interesting? * Is this a large growing market?
Yes, Singaporeans are starting to understand design and desire for it. On the other hand, westerners are finding it hard to ignore Asian design now due to the economic movement. Good design will become imperative for any businesses to succeed.
Given 20-20 hindsight, what would you do differently? * What is your best advice for entrepreneurs?
I would have started earlier; to invent, experiment, take risks, make mistakes and have fun!
What is your most memorable fund-raising experience? * Experience can be harrowing or exciting
We have not gone through any fund-raising. However, as we are expanding, we are now looking into various funding schemes to support our growth.
Why should we choose your company? * Your 30 second elevator pitch. Please mail any additional supporting / supplementary documents.
Our design studio, y’saksen understood that good design connects products and services, brand value, and consumer experiences. Hence, we can help our clients add value, stay relevant and competitive in this ever changing economic landscape.
