Featured SME
Know Creative
December 19, 2024
KNOW Creative Journey: KNOW Creative, an award-winning full-service creative and production agency based in Dubai, works towards delivering game-changing, world-class solutions to clients through different branding services.
Origin and Challenges: In 2016, KNOW Creative started as a brand consultancy agency and expanded into a production and motion graphics service agency, ensuring creativity is at the heart of everything they do. Despite challenges like managing cash flow and scaling, Beehive has been instrumental in turning missed opportunities into growth.
Expansion Plans: Over the next year, KNOW Creative will enhance its production capabilities, expand its motion graphics expertise, and collaborate with clients to deliver exceptional work.
Beehive Funding Success: Beehive’s funding was crucial to KNOW Creative’s success. With Beehive’s financial boost, they could meet client’s payment terms and seize new opportunities. Learn more about the journey with Beehive through the Q&A below.
About KNOW Creative
It is a full-service design agency based in the UAE that helps brands come alive with creative strategies. It tailors its services to your brand’s unique needs and goals, creating meaningful experiences that drive growth and success.
They provide various services, including brand identity, creative direction, and corporate communication, to help businesses reach their full potential with a unique creative touch. They’ve collaborated with major clients such as Siemens, Majid Al Futtaim, Dubai Airports, and many other top brands.
Find out more about KNOW Creative.
Q&A with Astrid Kirkland
General Manager / CX Director, KNOW Creative
How did the company start?
David Kirkland and I founded KNOW Creative in 2016, driven by our shared passion. David is our creative powerhouse with extensive experience leading top branding teams in London and Dubai. My business studies and private banking background equip me to manage our operations efficiently.
What are the top challenges a new business like yourself could encounter?
Managing cash flow has always been our biggest challenge. Many clients in the region operate with extended payment terms—sometimes up to 90 days—which makes it challenging to balance our books while ensuring our talent gets paid upfront. On top of that, scaling smartly has been a priority. In our early days, we had to think outside the box to grow without relying on traditional funding options.
What are your business plans for the next 12 months?
This year, we’re making significant strides forward! We’re boosting our production capabilities and expanding our motion graphics. We continue to focus on growth—capturing more market share, partnering with fantastic clients, and consistently delivering outstanding work.
What advice would you provide to someone considering turning their passion into a business idea?
Passion is a great starting point, but it’s not enough. If you don’t take further steps, your hobby might remain a hobby.
My advice would be to find partners or teammates who complement your strengths. For example, David and I work well together; he handles creativity while I manage the business. This balance is key to our success. Most importantly, focus on the strategy and structure of your passion to build a sustainable and scalable business.
How did you find Beehive?
From the moment Beehive launched, we were captivated by its innovative concept. The idea of crowdfunding in our region was intriguing, and we wanted to see if it worked. Spoiler alert—it absolutely does!
What was it like before you used Beehive?
Before Beehive, cash flow was our biggest challenge. Long client payment terms made it tough to pay our team on time. Sometimes, we even had to decline opportunities to stay stable, which was frustrating as it slowed down our growth.
How did you use the funds you raised on Beehive? What issue was resolved or improved by Beehive’s product?
Beehive transformed missed opportunities into growth for us. Last year, we used their funds to invest in our production vertical, and it was a huge success. Maintaining strong finances allowed us to meet client payment terms without stress. This stability gave us peace of mind, enabling us to focus on delivering our best work and seizing new opportunities.
Why did you choose Beehive for funding? What features contributed to your decision to use Beehive?
For us, Beehive just made sense. Traditional banks weren’t an option—we didn’t have fixed offices or the costs they would’ve considered “secured.” But that’s where Beehive stood out. They looked at the bigger picture—our business plan, the quality of our work, and the calibre of our clients—and understood what we were trying to achieve. That level of flexibility and understanding made a huge difference.
How did you find the process? How did it compare to other options, such as bank loans?
The process was straightforward, unlike dealing with banks that require secured loans and fixed costs, which don’t suit our operations. Beehive felt more concise and more in tune with how SMEs like ours work. Having a funding partner who believed in our vision and understood our needs was reassuring.
What advice would you give to business owners considering funding? Would you recommend Beehive to other businesses seeking finance?
When seeking funding, choose your partner wisely. It’s not just about the money; it’s about finding someone who understands your business and goals. Beehive has been fantastic for us, and I highly recommend them, especially for companies in creative or rapidly evolving industries that need to fit the traditional funding mold.
Any other comments?
We’re incredibly grateful to Beehive for helping KNOW Creative reach new heights. Their support has enabled us to overcome challenges, launch exciting new projects, and stay flexible to seize new opportunities. What the proper funding can do for an SME like ours is fantastic. We’re excited to see what the future holds!
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