How Two Founders Scaled BeCreatives to Over 100 Employees Globally
Who is Birute Efe?π
Birute Efe, hailing from Lithuania, began her entrepreneurial journey in the U.S. after exploring various jobs and co-founding beCreatives amidst personal challenges, alongside her interest in video marketing and editing.
What problem does Becreatives solve?π
Becreatives solves the problem of time-consuming video editing for entrepreneurs by offering a reliable subscription service, freeing creators to focus on growing their businesses.
How did Birute come up with the idea for Becreatives?π
The idea for Becreatives emerged from a genuine need Birute Efe observed while teaching video editing. Her students, many of whom were entrepreneurs, were spending too much time editing videos instead of focusing on growing their businesses. Birute noticed that as these entrepreneurs' businesses grew, they began to seek support with video editing rather than spending hours editing themselves.
Motivated by this observation, Birute started by editing videos for her students, realizing quickly that the demand exceeded what she could handle alone. Together with her best friend, Roneta Bajorinaite, they decided to create a solution that would allow entrepreneurs to access professional editing without the hassle. They launched Becreatives as a video editing agency offering a subscription model, which they found to be the best way to streamline the process for their clients.
Initially, the challenge was managing everything themselves, which led to long workdays. Recognizing the need to scale without burning out, they began hiring a team, allowing them to balance creativity with consistent output. Through this journey, Birute learned the importance of being adaptable and open to collaboration, ultimately transforming a simple service into a sustainable business model.
How did Birute build the initial version of Becreatives?π
Birute Efe and her co-founder Roneta Bajorinaite built Becreatives by initially providing video editing services tailored to entrepreneurs' needs. They began by hiring their first video editors in early 2019, quickly establishing a team to manage the growing client base. The founders emphasized creating scalable systems, quickly realizing the importance of standardizing the editing process. They invested in tools like Frame.io for seamless collaboration and feedback, crucial for maintaining quality and efficiency as their operations expanded. The journey from manually editing videos themselves to developing a robust team highlighted the challenges of scaling, requiring them to refine workflows and implement effective training processes. They found this phase demanding but pivotal, as it forced them to build strong operational foundations early on.
What were the initial startup costs for Becreatives?π
- Initial Foundation: No specific financial details about the startup costs, funding rounds, or crowdfunding campaigns for Becreatives are provided in the available sources.
How did Birute launch Becreatives and get initial traction?π
Word of Mouth and Personal Networkπ
Birute Efe and her co-founder, Reneta Bajorinaite, initially leveraged their personal network of business contacts to secure their first clients. By tapping into existing relationships with entrepreneurs who were already familiar with Birute's video editing courses, they were able to transition some of these individuals into customers for beCreatives' video editing services.
Why it worked: This approach worked because Birute already had established trust and credibility within her network. People who knew her for her teaching skills were likely to trust her new venture, ensuring a smooth transition from learning to outsourcing their video editing needs.
Paid Advertisingπ
When the pandemic derailed their plans to expand through conferences, Birute and Reneta diverted their funds into paid advertisements on Facebook featuring quirky, TikTok-style video content. These ads targeted entrepreneurs in need of reliable video editing services and successfully attracted new clients to their subscription-based model.
Why it worked: The creative and engaging nature of their ads resonated with their target audience. Additionally, the timing of their advertising campaign coincided with increased content creation during the pandemic, making it an opportune moment to reach potential customers.
First 100 Customersπ
beCreatives quickly grew by providing consistent and quality video editing services on a subscription basis. The founders' approach to offering a dedicated video editor for a flat monthly rate attracted a steady stream of clients who valued predictability and efficiency. Within the first year, they had secured their initial customer base, setting the foundation for future growth.
Why it worked: The subscription model offered a compelling value proposition for small businesses and content creators who needed regular video editing without the hassle of hiring full-time staff. The consistency and reliability of service ensured customer satisfaction and referrals.
What was the growth strategy for Becreatives and how did they scale?π
Facebook Adsπ
During the pandemic, Becreatives pivoted to using Facebook ads, creating quirky TikTok-style video ads to attract new clients. This pivot was essential due to the cancellation of planned conferences and proved highly successful in expanding their client base.
Why it worked: Facebook ads allowed Becreatives to reach a wider audience and target their key demographic effectively. The engaging, quirky style of the ads resonated with potential clients who were increasing their content consumption during the pandemic. This strategy not only replaced lost opportunities from conferences but also provided a scalable client acquisition model.
Subscription Modelπ
Becreatives implemented a subscription-based pricing model, offering consistent and quality video editing services at a flat monthly rate. This approach provided clients with a dedicated video editor, eliminating the need for continual negotiations and scheduling for each project.
Why it worked: The subscription model created steady revenue streams for Becreatives while offering clients predictability and convenience. It fostered long-term client relationships by providing ongoing value and reducing friction, leading to higher client retention and satisfaction.
Instagram Adsπ
The company effectively used Instagram ads, which brought in significant initial clients. This strategy surfaced organically when team members noticed the demand for video editing on social media platforms.
Why it worked: Instagram ads reached potential clients where they were already browsing for content solutions. The visual nature of Instagram complemented Becreatives' video editing services, making the platform an ideal match for acquiring clients interested in enhancing their visual media presence.
Word of Mouth Referralsπ
Initially relying heavily on business contacts for acquiring clients, Becreatives leveraged word-of-mouth referrals in their first operational stages, which played a crucial role in building their early client base.
Why it worked: Word of mouth is highly effective in service-based industries, as recommendations from trusted sources add credibility. Clients who were satisfied with their editing services often referred others, resulting in organic growth and a trustworthy reputation within the industry.
What's the pricing strategy for Becreatives?π
beCreatives offers professional video editing services through a flat-rate monthly subscription model, starting at $495 per month, providing quick 24-48 hour turnaround on edits.
What were the biggest lessons learned from building Becreatives?π
- Pivot with Purpose: When COVID-19 disrupted initial plans, beCreatives pivoted from attending conferences to leveraging Facebook ads, finding a more scalable client acquisition strategy. Embrace change and be ready to explore new avenues when your original plans fall apart.
- Rely on Support Systems: A strong partnership proved vital, especially during tough times like personal loss or health challenges. Collaborating with someone who complements your skills can keep the momentum going when you can't do it all yourself.
- Build Robust Processes: Establishing clear processes was crucial as beCreatives scaled from a small team to over 100 members. Efficient systems and procedures help maintain quality and consistency as your business grows.
- Start with Action, Not Perfection: beCreatives began without a website or branding, focusing on serving customers first. Get things moving even if everything isnβt perfectly in place. You can refine as you grow.
- Resilience Through Hardships: Personal adversities didn't halt progress; instead, they forged stronger resilience. Challenges can be overwhelming, but perseverance and adaptability can transform obstacles into breakthroughs.
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More about Becreatives:π
Who is the owner of Becreatives?π
Birute Efe is the founder of Becreatives.
When did Birute Efe start Becreatives?π
2019
What is Birute Efe's net worth?π
Birute Efe's business makes an average of $/month.
How much money has Birute Efe made from Becreatives?π
Birute Efe started the business in 2019, and currently makes an average of .
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