Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in animation and design but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Manu Järvinen, Founder of Studio Gearnoodle, located in Helsinki, Finland.

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

3D modeling, illustration, and animation services. Game companies and Ad creators.

Tell us about yourself

I love the freedom to work on my own ideas when there are no clients. For example, training products to various marketplaces like BlenderMarket or FlippedNormals.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Co-producing this with CreativeShrimp: https://blendermarket.com/products/stylized-3d-in-blender - it has been quite a success.

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

The times when there are no clients at all. Getting new ones seems to be quite hard.

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

  1. It makes sense to first work on different companies to gather contacts that can later be your clients.
  2. Take small risks, and invest in making some products that might get traction or might not, but you never know until you try.
  3. Consider advertising your training material products if you've made any; it might pay off or not.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.gearnoodle.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofmanujarvinen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manujarvinen/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/manujarvinen
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manujarvinen/


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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