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May 2020
Like many people reading this, I’m currently spending more time in front of screens than I’d like to. While most of the stuff isn’t really that great, something that stood out for me is the new ESPN docuseries The Last Dance, which is showing on Dutch Netflix. The series is about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls at their peak. It’s a show about passion, competitiveness, sportsmanship, media, and above all: collaboration.
When Michael Jordan was told that there is no “I” in “Team”, he replied that there is one in “win.” Iconic answer of course, but what The Last Dance shows us is that however great Michael Jordan was, he could have never done it all by himself. Without goodwill, teamwork, talent, and a little bit of luck, things might have not gone the right way for the 90s Bulls.
As I’m relating a lot of current events and things I see in media with my own personal life it made me reflect on my own team. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past few years, it’s that creating and managing a team is one of the hardest parts of being an entrepreneur. Not only is finding the right person a challenge at times, but finding the right group of different people to work in a unified team can be even trickier. It’s one thing to be good at what you do, but how do you translate that to other people?
That’s another thing Jordan was good at. Motivating everyone to be on the same page. We don’t have a Dennis Rodman in our team (luckily, perhaps), but everyone is truly unique, with their own beliefs, talents, and motivations. How can I ensure that the team can consistently focus on the same goals and objectives that I have for the brand? How can we function as a singular entity as we’re growing every season?
I believe the answer to that question is twofold. First, you have to let them know your mission, vision, and values. If you don’t believe in your own motivation, no one else will. Your goal has to be clear, and you need your team to understand how it’s going to be met. Secondly, it’s important to let them know that you trust them. That there is a reason why you asked them to be a part of the team in the first place.
It took me a while to figure this out, and The Last Dance shows that not everyone can always be shoulder to shoulder with each other. But that’s okay. As long as you trust each other in doing what’s right. In our design team, we have some of the most talented people I’ve met. Our store team can literally help anyone anytime with finding the right fit, and they do it with a kindness that is unmatched. The people in our back-end office are definitely the hardest and most diligent workers I know. We work with so many different talented creatives (both freelance and full-time) that strive to help us reach our goals. Aside from them, my business partner helps me personally with the aspects of business I’m not as familiar with. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are, and I’m thankful for each and every day I get to work with them.
This definitely isn’t our last dance. I hope we will have many seasons after this. As long as we got each other, it’ll be alright.
Olaf.
03 Jan 2023
03 Jan 2023
“I studied industrial and fashion design in Berlin and Paris. Since then I’ve worked for over a decade as designer, design manager and creative director for a variety of European fashion brands. And since a couple of years as creative director for a brand in Berlin."
“After working nonstop in the fashion industry, I was longing to take my creativity out from behind a corporate computer and create something with my own hands which led me to experiment with clay. It initially just started off as some sort of meditational practice and developed over time into my passion and second business."
“As I had only worked for other people's companies, I eventually felt the urge to create a brand that would represent my own aesthetics and values that would help enable me to share what inspired me personally. Therefore, I decided to merge this idea with my passion for crafts and interior and started my own brand 2222STUDIO under which I design, make and sell interior objects. 2222STUDIO was inspired by my lucky number and time 22:22. Since I was a teenager, I have been superstitious about it and believed that catching this time over and over was no coincidence. I always felt compelled to make wishes for a whole minute until this magic alignment of numbers passed. "
“Just do it! I believe that it’s important to start somewhere with a vision and then figure things out along the way. Too much overthinking and doubting upfront will just block you. "
“That it's so versatile, creative, and that I am independent."
“Intuitive, meditative and passionate."
"Okwukwe Na Nchekwube by Celestine Ukwu & his Philosophers"
“Following and building a career for myself that reflects what I am passionate about."
“Taking on an order that exceeded my capacity and really challenged my entire setup."
“Mexico, Japan, Venice."
“Minimal and eclectic."
"All my Jackets and coats."
"I really like the work of Alicja Kwade. But my brain just picks up on everything that I see around me. It could be super and abstract, light, textures, shapes."
