Yesterday marked 1 month since my youngest brother passed away. The death of my brother had impacts for me, family, and the agency that we both initiated last year.
My brother and I were perfect partner. I was more aggressive in running the business and taking risks, while he was more cautious. Often he became like brakes for me, when I was about to take the plunge into some high risk decisions. Brainstorming with him was the most exciting moment.
My brother who led the creative division had tremendous skills. Fresh ideas, creative concepts, and truly beautiful crafting skill. I could focus on my job to find new clients and projects. The results that were done by him always amazing. Losing him is a serious blow to our agency. We lost a great man.
So what will we, especially me, do from now on? Looking for a partner to replace my brother is certainly not an easy thing.
While other agencies expanded aggressively and busy with projects and pitching, we both struggled to cure him. While other agencies provided many perks and bonuses to employees at the end of the year, we even started losing clients, and our creative director.
In addition, we also had some pretty big changes in our internal organization. So all of these contribute to our financial health, whether I like it or not.
Our agency is like a baby. We are 1 year old. So of course I’m not be able to offer the same or better benefits than any other agencies. I might offer a below average salary, no benefits at all (insurance, year-end bonuses, salary increases and so on). They even still have to bring their own devices.
What I can offer is a vision, a huge dream we’d like to achieve. Perhaps only crazy people who have big dreams like my brother and I are willing to accept such an offer.
So for now I will be a one-man army wearing many hats, until the time comes when I found a partner who brave enough and willing to fight together. To find someone who has the same vision as us may take a long time. Not only do it for money, but have the passion to create great stuff together. Finding people who crazy enough to realize this vision is definitely not easy. But I’m sure I’ll find them.
I miss you, my dearest brother.
*The song title I borrowed from DJ Shadow seems fit for this article.
