Show notes
Feb 2, 2024
Welcome to ScaleUp Radio! In this episode, we sit down with Alixe Lobato, the founder and creative director of Flying Duck Studio Lab, an animation studio with a unique twist. Alixe shares her journey of founding the studio with a purpose-driven mission, focusing on ethics, inclusivity, and social impact.
Key Takeaways:
- Alixe emphasizes the importance of having a purpose-driven mission and values ingrained from the start, attributing the success of Flying Duck Studio Lab to these foundational principles.
- When it comes to building a team, Alixe values attitude over pure technical skills, believing that skills can be taught but the right mindset is essential. She specifically looks for "easygoing" individuals during the hiring process.
- Drawing from past experiences, Alixe highlights the lessons learned in areas such as legal protections, operations, and finances, emphasizing the crucial role these elements play in the sustainability of a business.
Founding Flying Duck Studio Lab:
- Alixe's inspiration for founding the studio stemmed from a desire to create an ethical and inclusive space for animation, driven by a sense of purpose lacking in her previous roles.
- From the outset, Alixe applied for B Corp certification to embed ethical practices into the studio's core values.
- Starting with only four part-time team members, Flying Duck Studio Lab has since grown and established a network of partnerships.
Lessons Learned:
- Alixe shares insights into the importance of having clear goals, patience, and consistency, especially during slow periods in business growth.
- Learning from a previous failed startup, Alixe emphasizes the significance of understanding intellectual property protections, contracts, and addressing operational, financial, and legal aspects through accelerator programs.
Hiring and Team Values:
- Attitude takes precedence over technical skills in Alixe's hiring philosophy. She tests candidates by presenting challenges and assesses their responses.
- Recognizing the potential of neurodiverse hires in excelling at research tasks, Alixe discusses her "no ego" policy and the value of providing direct but kind feedback.
Plans for Growth:
- Alixe outlines her strategic plans for Flying Duck Studio Lab, aiming to develop scalable digital products for online sales.
- Focused on growing the Flying Duck brand name and attraction, Alixe aims to increase the business's valuation, positioning it for potential investor interest or acquisition.
Tune in for a captivating conversation on entrepreneurship, ethical business practices, and the exciting future of Flying Duck Studio Lab!
Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.
If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here:
https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply
You can get in touch with Kevin here:
Most founders I speak to feel busy but stuck; plenty happening, but not always clear on what genuinely matters most this quarter. If that’s you, the G90 Summit is worth a look. A structured half-day where we work through everything competing for your attention, get clear on the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, then commit to them and build the system to make sure they actually happen. Quarterly, virtual, £97 a seat.
Alixe can be found here:
https://flyingduckstudiolab.co.uk/
linkedin.com/in/alixe-lobato-646657b
Resources
Free Will by Sam Harris - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/free-will-sam-harris/3198638?ean=9781451683400
Jordan B Peterson - https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/
The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F**k by Mark Manson - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-subtle-art-of-not-giving-a-f-ck-a-counterintuitive-approach-to-living-a-good-life-mark-manson/92493?ean=9780062457714