Wander Way: the success story of the first Ukrainian startup to receive a business Oscar

The startup Wander Way, created by Ukrainians Olga and Roman Vinogradny, received bronze at the International Business Awards in the “Startup of the Year” category according to the Stevie Awards. The top American publication New York Post called this award the “Oscar of the business world.” How did the project achieve success in just a year, with minimal investment? The founders of the startup told ForumDaily about this.

Photo: Olga and Roman Vinogradny

Wander Way is a service that brings together photographers around the world, a kind of Airbnb in the world of photo shoots. Now it includes more than 100 photographers, and the service works in 40 cities around the world. Photographers take pictures of people during memorable events: trips, offers of marriage, important meetings, weddings and other moments that are important to capture.

How does Wander Way work?

Wander Way Photo is a platform for booking and organizing photo sessions in different parts of the world. First of all, these are photo shoots for travelers who want to get professional shots anywhere in the world. The client tells the time and place of shooting, and the team takes care of everything related to the organization of the photo shoot and subsequent processing of the pictures. After a few days, the photos become available in the client’s private online gallery.

Shooting Wander Way. Photo: Olga and Roman Vinogradny

Shooting Wander Way. Photo: Olga and Roman Vinogradny

6 Tips for a Successful Start

Olga 9 worked as a wedding photographer for years and is well versed in all the nuances of shooting. Now she is engaged in the selection of photographers and training retouchers to provide customers with the highest quality product.

Photo: Olga and Roman Vinogradny

Here are a few secrets to creating a successful startup on a tight schedule:

1. Search for an idea

10 years ago, I dreamed of a beautiful wedding ceremony in an exotic country. While I was mentally changing locations, I had to look for a photographer every time in a new place. Now in any trip I also want to be able to make a quality photo shoot with my family. We give this opportunity to our customers. Want to find an idea? Do what you personally lack.

Photo: Olga and Roman Vinogradny

2. Do only what 100% can do

An idea without understanding how to implement it is worthless. The most important key to the success of any business is to do only what you understand 100%. My experience as a photographer, including in the USA, helped us a lot: it gave us the opportunity to understand the mentality of potential clients from America and other parts of the world. The fact that we lived in San Francisco also played a role: this city is very inspiring for new ideas and the creation of new products. True, it also gives understanding: a possible failure is also an experience.

Photo: Olga and Roman Vinogradny

Roman has been working in design for about 12 years - first in advertising agencies in Ukraine, collaborating with leading companies, then he worked in the design of technology startups. The experience of working under tight deadlines, with a limited budget and with a small team was very helpful when launching Wander Way.

Photo: Olga and Roman Vinogradny

Roman's advice: burn your own business, work 24 / 7 and not wait for everything to go according to plan. The right attitude will help not to burn out when you have to solve a lot of problems at the same time.

Photo: Olga and Roman Vinogradny

3. Do not delay the launch

A wedding photographer is also a retoucher, a sales manager, a marketer, a financier, and a specialist in social media promotion. Being able to do all this, at the beginning of the project I did many processes myself, paying only for site support. The novel was engaged in the visual part and design. We started in two weeks. Now this trend, including in Silicon Valley, is to launch a simplified version, and then refine it. And thanks to the expertise, we were able to do it better than competitors.

Shooting Wander Way. Photo: Olga and Roman Vinogradny

4. Find out who your customer is.

Our first client appeared two months later. Finding out and pondering who your client is and what he needs is necessary in the process of creating a startup. In my case, it would be difficult to understand without previous experience in the photo business and understanding the needs of the audience.

Shooting Wander Way. Photo: Olga and Roman Vinogradny

It is important to be sure that the problem you are solving is, and it is not relevant for one person. Now the number of our customers is growing from 35-50% per month.

Shooting Wander Way. Photo: Olga and Roman Vinogradny

5. Do not take it upon yourself

A few months after the launch, it became clear that the tasks needed to be delegated - without this, development was impossible. I carefully select people as a team: it is important that they tell me what to do, and not vice versa. Hire those who will solve problems, not create them.

Photo: Olga and Roman Vinogradny

Photo: Olga and Roman Vinogradny

6. Work for people

It is important to create a business that brings not only money to you, but also benefits people. Now I enjoy the fact that we are becoming part of the memories of our customers, important moments for them, which fall into the frame and remain in memory for many years. Give more and don't expect anything in return - one of the important secrets to success.

Photo: Olga and Roman Vinogradny

Oscar in the world of business

The Stevie Awards are presented to companies and individuals for their significant contribution to the development of various business areas. The presentation will take place during the official awards ceremony in October 2019 of the year in Vienna.

Photo: facebook.com/TheStevieAwards

A few facts about the award:

1. The top American New York Post has named the Stevie Awards an Oscar in the business world.

2. In the 2019 year, the gold, silver and bronze winners of the Stevie Awards were selected from more than 4000 applications received from 74 countries. More than 250 experts from around the world participated in the jury to determine the winners of Stevie.

3. Earlier, the jury annually included Donald Trump, Rich Karlgard, owner of Forbes and Tony Robbins.

4. Richard Branson, a businessman, writer and head of the Virgin Group, received the Lifetime Achievement Stevie Award for his long-term contribution to the development of the global business industry.

5. Past winners include Apple, Ford, Procter & Gamble, Samsung, Tesla.

6. Previously, only one company from Ukraine received this award - the Astelit company / mobile operator life:). Wander Way Photo is the second from Ukraine to receive the award, but the first in the Startup of the Year category.

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