Introduction

In today’s episode of the Founder Spotlight Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Smita Rajgopal, the brilliant founder of Smitten. Smitten is an international boutique graphic design studio that solves complex brand communication challenges for businesses, with a particular focus on startups. Smita’s thoughtful approach and passion for fostering creativity have helped her build a remarkable journey as a founder and leader. In this blog, we’ll dive into her entrepreneurial story, her insights into design and leadership, and her advice for aspiring founders.

Origin Story

Smita Rajgopal started Smitten over 16 years ago with a vision to transform how businesses communicate their brand identities. Though she hesitates to call it a niche, her company provides comprehensive branding services that handle every element of brand communication.

“Agency culture can be tough on creative talent. I wanted to create a space where talented, creative people could thrive while delivering impactful commercial art.” – Smita Rajgopal

Her entrepreneurial journey was inspired by a desire to cultivate a vibrant culture where both creativity and communication could flourish. Her dedication to talent development ultimately shaped Smitten into a hub for meaningful design that supports startups in building their brands.

Challenges & Breakthroughs

Like any entrepreneurial journey, Smita’s path wasn’t without its challenges. While she couldn’t pinpoint a single defining moment that led her to found Smitten, she emphasized the rewarding feeling of seeing her team genuinely excited about their work—even on a Monday morning.

One particularly memorable project involved designing a dynamic, long-lasting creative display for a real estate developer. This project was a game-changer for both the client and Smita’s team.

“We asked about wind direction for the facade. The client was surprised—no one else had thought about it. That one detail allowed us to design a dynamic wall of pinwheels that moved with the wind, creating a refreshing design that stood the test of time.” – Smita Rajgopal

The aluminum pinwheels brought the facade to life, weathered environmental conditions, and offered a cost-effective yet innovative solution. This project validated Smitten’s commitment to going beyond the brief and solving problems through out-of-the-box thinking.

Product & Market Insights

Smitten’s core mission is to address communication challenges for brands through the power of design. Their services are particularly appealing to startups due to their friendly timelines and cost efficiency. Smita’s team focuses on understanding the ethos behind each client’s product or service to ensure that the brand’s personality shines through.

Here’s what makes Smitten stand out:

• An international team that works across geographies to provide timely responses.
• A deep understanding of both the audience and the values of the businesses they serve.
• A focus on building long-term relationships by going beyond the brief to understand the people behind the brand.

“Understanding the ethos of the person and the company behind the brief helps us deliver communication that truly resonates.” – Smita Rajgopal

This thoughtful approach has helped Smitten establish trust and deliver meaningful, impactful work for businesses around the world.

Leadership & Company Culture

For Smita, the backbone of Smitten’s success has always been its people. Cultivating a vibrant and motivated creative team has been a key focus. She attributes this to giving her team autonomy and fostering camaraderie among them.

“Autonomy comes with a sense of responsibility. Creators thrive when they can make decisions independently while having the support of their team.” – Smita Rajgopal

Her team thrives on trust, ownership, and creative freedom—values that ensure their projects align with clients’ goals. Smita also encourages her team to pursue hobbies and interests outside of work, including her own passions for long-distance running and diving. This balance keeps the creative juices flowing and energy levels high.

Lessons & Advice

Smita’s 16 years of experience have taught her numerous lessons about entrepreneurship and leadership. For aspiring founders, she emphasizes the importance of flexibility and learning from feedback.

“Don’t wait for perfection to launch. Be willing to learn as you go and pivot fast if necessary. Sticking rigidly to your idea can hold you back from growth.” – Smita Rajgopal

This mindset has allowed her to build Smitten into a dynamic, client-focused studio while exploring new ventures like her recently soft-launched event management company, Master Ceremonies Events (MCE).

Future Vision

The future looks bright for Smita Rajgopal and Smitten. With plans to continue supporting startups and businesses through impactful branding, Smita is also taking her entrepreneurial spirit into the world of events with MCE, her new event management company. This exciting venture further showcases her love for bringing ideas to life and creating memorable experiences.

As Smita balances her ventures, she maintains a strong focus on fostering creativity, both personally and within her team. Her holistic approach to leadership and innovation ensures that Smitten will continue to thrive and inspire.