Stand Out in a Crowded Market

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in brand development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Denny Kurien, co-founder of Rayvn Design, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I run a brand identity design agency in Toronto called Rayvn Design. We specialize in rebranding and elevating the image of professional service firms, so they can attract new clients and stand out in a competitive market.

Tell us about yourself

I've been a serial creative entrepreneur since I graduated with a design degree from a university in 1999. However, every creative venture I've undertaken in the last 20 years has had setbacks and failures, but I've also learned valuable lessons, and that served as a stepping stone to arriving where I am right now. For example:

In 2004: I started a graphic design studio with two other colleagues of mine from university. The problem: we didn't have a clear focus on who we wanted to go after and didn't get any clients. FAIL!
In 2008: My brother and I created the "I WANT THIS" App. I was our version of Instagram shopping. The problem: we created it back in 2008 when apps were just getting started, and the technology was just not quite there. FAIL!
In 2010: My wife and I tried to create a wearable toy called "Sock Puppets." The problem: we relied on 3rd party vendors to prototype it and get it out to market. They took $15K of our money, made false promises, and nothing came out of it. FAIL!
In 2012: I created a kid's learning app called "Count Dracu." This time I didn't rely on 3rd party vendors. I did all the programming, illustration, animation, and even voice-over - and managed to get it up on the App Store. The problem: I didn't know how to market it to parents. FAIL!
In 2016: I landed my dream job as a Creative Digital Strategist for a global toy company that paid me $120K a year. The problem: it was a toxic work culture - I was fired in 6 months. FAIL!
In 2018: My wife and I started our branding & design studio in Toronto called Rayvn Design. We did brand identity design & website design for small consulting businesses and advisory firms. Brave entrepreneurs who have made their passion their enterprise. WIN!

In this regard, I find Paulo Coelho's quote highly motivational: "The one who falls and gets up is stronger than the one who never tried. Do not fear failure, but rather fear not trying."

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The ability to fail and get up while the chips are down has been my biggest accomplishment.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

I think people have a very idealized image of what it takes to become a business owner. Many people think that having your own business will allow you to leave your 9 to 5 job. It will allow you to work from anywhere and give you more freedom and money. What they don't understand is that it takes a lot of work to get there. And once your business grows and you hire more employees, you are also responsible for their welfare. Only once your business achieves critical mass, and it is able to operate without you will you be able to enjoy and reap the benefits.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

There is no shortcut to success.
Do not be afraid to fail. Failure is success in progress.
Do not fall for the trappings of success as portrayed by people on social media. Even if they portray themselves as being super successful - behind the smile, behind their perfectly curated posts is their own struggle. So don't be quick to judge a book by its cover.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.rayvn.io/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dkurien/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennykurien/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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