Dreams and Company Structure
Marfa: During our photoshoot, I asked Liana what her dream structure for her company would be. She was sitting on the windowsill, looking at the opposite side of the street. I proposed that she look at those streets and choose a place where her future office would be. I’m always driven by people’s facial expressions when I catch their dreams and passion in photos.
Do you favor boutique-organized agencies, why? What advantages do they have over large-scale firms?
Liana: I appreciate boutique-organized agencies for their personalized approach and transparency. I don’t necessarily favor them over large-scale firms but see them as a different work model, offering tailored experiences to meet unique needs. It’s about understanding the team better and building strong, human-to-human relationships.
Reflection: Her answer created a click inside of me. Because, for me, the boutique way of running a company is also something joyful in business. To be able to work with a small team and celebrate each day moving something important together toward change and success.
Thank you, Liana, for sharing your thoughts on this matter. Sometimes we have things inside of us that are hidden or transparent, and when someone names them, we understand that they’re inside of us as well. This is exactly why I love hearing people’s stories.
Early Beginnings
Marfa: How did it feel to pitch your first startup at 19? What was that experience like?
Liana: Pitching my first startup at 19 was a thrilling experience. It fueled my passion for public speaking and taught me the power of connecting with the audience. That moment shaped me into the professional I am today.
Reflection: While sharing this story with me, Liana was shining and laughing. This moment was a mix of a bold decision, flow, and the excitement of presentation and success.
On Perfectionism and Taking Action
Marfa: What advice would you give to people who overthink or spend too long preparing, fearing to take the first step?
Liana: My advice is simple: better done than perfect. Take slow steps forward, and you’ll start to see progress. Don’t wait for perfection because it’s often elusive.
Reflection: Better done than perfect is my inner mantra after I heard it! As a creative mind, I can be lost in details and the creation of something incredible. But when it’s just an email, you should write it down and send it come on!
The Power of Ideas
Reflection: Do you believe that every idea has energy? A potential and power that can lead you somewhere you’ve never been? That it can change lives and make them better?
I believe that we so often devalue our ideas because of some research that tells us it’s not possible. Or self-insecurities that bury ideas without mercy, because they require hard work, risk, and being an open dreamer without shame.
Navigating AI Tools
Marfa: For people feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of AI tools, what would you advise as the first step to simplify the complexity?
Liana: I recommend starting slow. Instead of trying everything at once, define your strategy and integrate AI step by step into your processes.
Reflection: Without knowing where you want to go and what you want to get, it’s hard to navigate. If you were on a ship going wherever…
The Future of Consumerism
Marfa: Is it possible to overcome the era of consumerism with AI, or will it only make things worse?
Liana: AI has the potential to improve consumerism by delivering a more personalized approach, which people crave. AI can move us toward more tailored, meaningful experiences.
Reflection: It would be wonderful to stop mass fashion with overproduction and start to recreate something from what we already have. As a dreamer myself, I try to imagine how our world would look.