Hi, I'm Manish.
A journey from design to operational expertise.
How does someone become an operations specialist in the creative field? After all, “creative” and “operations” don’t often go hand in hand. Here’s my story…
I struggled in school, but art was always my strength and my passion. As a teenager, I became fascinated by typography and discovered Letraset books, which showcased a variety of typefaces and lettering styles. Inspired, I spent countless hours in my sketchbook, replicating and creating words in different typefaces entirely by hand.
Determined to become a graphic designer, I enrolled in a foundation course at Berkshire College of Art and Design, studying design, typography, and printing. But before I could finish, I was offered a job at a local book design firm, beginning my career in the creative industry at just 17.
…And I was fired after three months.
It was a humbling moment, but also the wake-up call I needed. I approached my next role, at a local B2B advertising agency, with newfound focus. One of the founders had recently invested £16k in an Apple Mac—a tool the team hadn’t embraced yet. He wanted a junior designer eager to use it, and I was thrilled to oblige.
As Macs became integral to creative agencies, my experience made me valuable, and I found better opportunities in London. But it didn’t take long to realise something: I wasn’t a great graphic designer. And who wants to be mediocre at their job?
I knew I needed to find a new niche—something I now advise agencies to do if they want to excel. I discovered I had a knack for managing creatives, which led me to studio management and, eventually, a leadership role at Design Bridge and Partners, one of the world’s largest design agencies.
There, I rose to Executive Operations Director before moving into consultancy. Today, I use my creative and operational expertise to help agencies streamline their processes, improve profitability, and achieve their goals.
Though some may see me as a management consultant type, at heart, I’m still a creative. My experience on both sides of the industry gives me a unique perspective: I understand the challenges and aspirations of creatives, and how to balance them with the demands of operational excellence.
Looking back, it’s no surprise I ended up in the creative industry—it was always my calling. While the boy drafting type in his sketchbook might be surprised at where I’ve landed, I think he’d be proud. I truly love using my experience to help creative agencies succeed every day.
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