Journey of 5: Our CEO, Remi Dada's Odyssey on Growth, Learnings, and Innovation.

Our latest newsletter is filled with valuable insights and experiences shared by our esteemed CEO, Remi Dada. With building Spacefinish in the last five years, Remi compiled five key learnings that he believes are essential for leaders in their professional journey.

1. Optimizing for High-Quality Decisions

Over the past five years, I've learned numerous valuable lessons on my journey. One particular lesson stands out to me: gaining clarity on my role at this stage. You see, a significant part of my daily routine involves making decisions. I'm sure you can relate— we make countless decisions every single day. However, what I've come to realize more and more is the importance of optimizing for high-quality decisions. And the secret lies in your state of mind.

Contrary to popular belief, the hard work doesn't begin when you're faced with a decision. No, the hard work starts much earlier. It starts with taking proactive steps to ensure that your state of mind is clear, and motivated. It's about safeguarding your passion for the work you do. Because if any of these elements are missing, you may find yourself experiencing burnout, a sense of dread, and a loss of motivation.

Think about it — when your mental and emotional well-being is compromised, it begins to impact your decisions. That's why I prioritize maintaining a clear state of mind for effective decision-making.

So, I ask you: How do you ensure clarity of mind? How do you cultivate happiness and motivation? How do you sustain your passion? These are vital questions because they directly impact the decisions you make in your personal and professional life as a leader.

2. Entrepreneurial Choices Impact the Journey

As entrepreneurs, we have the privilege of choosing the business we venture into, the timing of our entry, and the people we collaborate with. These three aspects are well within our control, and they greatly influence the challenges we will face on our journey. By carefully optimizing these choices, we can set ourselves up for success, as they serve as the foundation for everything else that follows.

It is common for people to focus on luck and hard work without realizing that they may not have made the best decisions in those initial stages. However, I have come to recognize the importance of making wise choices in these three key areas.

Personally, I am grateful that we have made good decisions in selecting the right business, the optimal time to enter the market, and assembling a competent team. These choices have laid a solid groundwork for our endeavors and have greatly contributed to our progress thus far.

3. Critical Role of Designers and Architects in the Idea Generation Process

I want to emphasize the critical role that designers and architects play in various projects. Their expertise and creative vision are invaluable. As entrepreneurs and stakeholders, it is crucial that we recognize and appreciate their significant contributions from the early stages of our projects. By involving them early on, we can leverage their insights to enhance the overall outcome and ensure that their talents are fully utilized.

Creating opportunities for networking and facilitating idea generation allows me to influence projects at their inception. This is when conversations, deals, and project ideas are being formed, involving project sponsors and financiers.

Our successful approach across different projects helps determine innovative product designs. And we've been able to do this successfully across different projects. The output is we can now begin to determine what the product should look like from an innovation standpoint.

4. Selfish Time Management is Key to Success

A valuable lesson I've learned over time, one that may sound a bit cynical but has proven to be crucial for growth and success. I've come to realize that being selfish with my time is not only necessary but also essential for the overall efficiency and productivity of the organization.

As a founder, I've recognized that my time holds greater value compared to others within the company. While it may sound harsh, it is an undeniable reality. If I don't manage it well, I do a disservice to our employees, stakeholders, and investors. To prevent this, I meticulously plan my schedule, prioritizing critical tasks. I also protect my time from disruptions caused by poor time management by others.

By being selfish with my time, I can focus on crucial aspects of decision-making, maximizing our chances for growth and achievement. It's a mindset shift that brings invaluable benefits. Remember, time is finite. Effective time management empowers us and those around us to reach new heights. Thus, creating a culture where every minute counts.

5. The Power of People and Naivety

As we grow and evolve, we understand that the heart of our company lies not in the buildings or products but in the collective efforts and talents of our people.

As a CEO, I have come to recognize that our company is more than just a physical entity or a product. It is a living, breathing organism fueled by the dedication and expertise of our people. They are the driving force behind our performance and the catalysts for achieving outstanding results. With this understanding, I am committed to creating an environment that attracts the best talent and empowers them to thrive.

It is essential to seek out individuals who are not only better than ourselves but also operate at a level beyond our own capabilities. By assembling a team of exceptional individuals, we can tap into their unique strengths and experiences, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.

By embracing a sense of naivety, we create opportunities for fresh perspectives and unconventional ideas. This approach has proven to be a superpower as we navigated the interior design space, allowing us to uncover solutions that might have been overlooked by seasoned professionals.