Shantanu's Journey To Building a $55K/month Design Agency
Shantanu's Journey To Building a $55K/month Design Agency
Nov 28, 2024
Shantanu Pandey
Shantanu Pandey
⏳ 4 min
⏳ 4 min
Revenue/month
Revenue/month
$55,000
$55,000
$55,000
No. of founders
No. of founders
1
1
1
Startup costs
Startup costs
$650
$650
$650
Company type
Company type
Company type
Service-based
Service-based
Service-based
Contents
Introduction
Introduction
In the competitive world of digital agencies, Shantanu Pandey didn't just build another company—he created a blueprint for excellence. His journey with Tenet began not with a massive investment or venture capital, but with a simple vision: deliver extraordinary digital services that genuinely transform businesses.
Before launching Tenet, Shantanu worked as a freelance consultant, collaborating with international Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. These early experiences weren't just jobs—they were masterclasses in understanding business challenges and growth strategies.
In the competitive world of digital agencies, Shantanu Pandey didn't just build another company—he created a blueprint for excellence. His journey with Tenet began not with a massive investment or venture capital, but with a simple vision: deliver extraordinary digital services that genuinely transform businesses.
Before launching Tenet, Shantanu worked as a freelance consultant, collaborating with international Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. These early experiences weren't just jobs—they were masterclasses in understanding business challenges and growth strategies.
Key Lessons from the Early Days
Key Lessons from the Early Days
Through his consulting work, Shantanu learned critical insights that would become Tenet's foundation:
Businesses are complex ecosystems where small strategic changes can dramatically alter trajectories
Finding the right talent and creating a motivating culture is paramount
High-performing entrepreneurs can't do everything alone
Digital strategy isn't about vanity metrics—it's about tangible business impact
Customer service isn't a department; it's a philosophy
Through his consulting work, Shantanu learned critical insights that would become Tenet's foundation:
Businesses are complex ecosystems where small strategic changes can dramatically alter trajectories
Finding the right talent and creating a motivating culture is paramount
High-performing entrepreneurs can't do everything alone
Digital strategy isn't about vanity metrics—it's about tangible business impact
Customer service isn't a department; it's a philosophy
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➤ Every week, we dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses—
➤ Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers.
➤ Then, we share those insights with you.
➤ Every week, we dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses—
➤ Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers.
➤ Then, we share those insights with you.
The Agency Model Reimagined
The Agency Model Reimagined
Most digital agencies operate on a tiered talent model: a few top performers, some mid-level professionals, and numerous junior employees. Typically, only the highest-paying clients get the A-team's attention.
Shantanu saw this as fundamentally broken. His vision? Create the "Rolls Royce of digital agencies" where every client—regardless of budget—receives top-tier talent and exceptional service.
Most digital agencies operate on a tiered talent model: a few top performers, some mid-level professionals, and numerous junior employees. Typically, only the highest-paying clients get the A-team's attention.
Shantanu saw this as fundamentally broken. His vision? Create the "Rolls Royce of digital agencies" where every client—regardless of budget—receives top-tier talent and exceptional service.
The Bootstrapped Launch
The Bootstrapped Launch
Launching Tenet was far from glamorous. With personal savings and zero external funding, Shantanu methodically built his business:
Registered the company (initially named KodeGlobe Technology) for around $300
Developed a basic website, investing another $300
Hosted on Amazon's free AWS tier
Added a free chatbot for customer interaction
The first months were crickets. For 80 days, proposal after proposal went unanswered. Many entrepreneurs would have quit, but not Shantanu.
Launching Tenet was far from glamorous. With personal savings and zero external funding, Shantanu methodically built his business:
Registered the company (initially named KodeGlobe Technology) for around $300
Developed a basic website, investing another $300
Hosted on Amazon's free AWS tier
Added a free chatbot for customer interaction
The first months were crickets. For 80 days, proposal after proposal went unanswered. Many entrepreneurs would have quit, but not Shantanu.
The Breakthrough
The Breakthrough
On the 88th day of his 90-day deadline, a notification arrived at 2 AM—a potential client from New York. The project was a modest $200 assignment. But for Shantanu, it was everything.
This single project became the catalyst. Through exceptional work and consistent delivery, that client referred more businesses. One client became two, then four, then eight—a compounding effect of quality and word-of-mouth.
On the 88th day of his 90-day deadline, a notification arrived at 2 AM—a potential client from New York. The project was a modest $200 assignment. But for Shantanu, it was everything.
This single project became the catalyst. Through exceptional work and consistent delivery, that client referred more businesses. One client became two, then four, then eight—a compounding effect of quality and word-of-mouth.
Growth Strategy: People-First and Persistent
Growth Strategy: People-First and Persistent
Tenet's growth wasn't about aggressive marketing but strategic investments:
Reinvested every early dollar back into the business
Hired top design, tech, and consulting talent
Invested in team training and development
Created motivational HR systems
Expanded methodically across India, UAE, UK, and the USA
By the Numbers
Today, Tenet stands impressively:
Average Monthly Revenue: $55,000
Client Base: 50% enterprise-level organizations
Team Size: 40+ members
Completely Bootstrapped
30% Year-over-Year Revenue Growth
Tenet's growth wasn't about aggressive marketing but strategic investments:
Reinvested every early dollar back into the business
Hired top design, tech, and consulting talent
Invested in team training and development
Created motivational HR systems
Expanded methodically across India, UAE, UK, and the USA
By the Numbers
Today, Tenet stands impressively:
Average Monthly Revenue: $55,000
Client Base: 50% enterprise-level organizations
Team Size: 40+ members
Completely Bootstrapped
30% Year-over-Year Revenue Growth
Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs
Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs
Shantanu's journey offers profound lessons:
Speed of Execution Matters: Reduce time between thinking and doing
Embrace Optimism: Be "delusionally" positive
Consistency is King: Small, persistent efforts compound dramatically
Help Without Expectation: Genuine connections drive business growth
Build Systems: Document processes for scalable success
Shantanu's journey offers profound lessons:
Speed of Execution Matters: Reduce time between thinking and doing
Embrace Optimism: Be "delusionally" positive
Consistency is King: Small, persistent efforts compound dramatically
Help Without Expectation: Genuine connections drive business growth
Build Systems: Document processes for scalable success
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Shantanu's story isn't just about building an agency. It's about transforming challenges into opportunities, treating every client like they're the most important, and believing that with the right mindset and consistent effort, anything is possible.
From a $200 project to a $55,000 monthly revenue powerhouse, Tenet proves that entrepreneurial success is less about perfect planning and more about persistent execution.
"Start today. The first version doesn't have to be perfect—it just has to exist."
Shantanu's story isn't just about building an agency. It's about transforming challenges into opportunities, treating every client like they're the most important, and believing that with the right mindset and consistent effort, anything is possible.
From a $200 project to a $55,000 monthly revenue powerhouse, Tenet proves that entrepreneurial success is less about perfect planning and more about persistent execution.
"Start today. The first version doesn't have to be perfect—it just has to exist."
Like this?
Like this?
P.S. I’ve got a weekly newsletter where I share Stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses— Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers. Then, I share those insights with you. I would love for you to join us here
Shoot me a DM if you want to share your story or visit this page to submit your information 💌
- h/t Tenet, Starter Story ⇢ Great resources
P.S. I’ve got a weekly newsletter where I share Stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses— Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers. Then, I share those insights with you. I would love for you to join us here
Shoot me a DM if you want to share your story or visit this page to submit your information 💌
- h/t Tenet, Starter Story ⇢ Great resources
