17/07/2025
One of my biggest dreams came true… and it involved 160+ creatives from across Estonia! (a long-read 😊 👇 )
A little more than a month has passed since the end of the 2nd batch of “Digital Transformation for Creative Entrepreneurs”, and I finally want to share my impressions!
This program became the realization of my long-cherished dream: to launch something of my own that truly brings value to entrepreneurs. My goal was to help creative people in a fast-changing world discover digital opportunities and use them to grow their ideas.
We hosted two batches in November 2024-June 2025. Kick-off events were held offline, and the mentoring and training program - online. The topics included: AI, UX/UI, digital accessibility, SEO, automations, digital sustainability, code vs no-code solutions, email and e-marketing, domains and hosting, digital PR, branding, Etsy, customer journey and personas, cybersecurity and more.
Each batch brought together 80+ teams working in diverse fields: design, fashion, education, tourism, mobile apps, handicrafts, video and sound, coaching and others. Ca 25–30 teams presented at the final demo days and received valuable awards from our partners. The majority of participants came from Ida-Viru and Harju counties, but nearly all Estonian counties were represented, which is a clear sign that such programs are in high demand.
I still can’t believe it happened. Reading the participants’ feedback makes me very emotional. I am very-very happy! It was tough, but very rewarding.
And the most important part: my gratitudes!
✅ Startup Estonia (Vaido Mikheim, Elina Dubova): Thank you for your trust and funding, which made the program possible and free for all the participants!
✅ My amazing co-organizers - Jelena Oshepkova, Liudmyla Mishchenko: Without you, I could have never been able to run the program! Thanks a million!
✅ Our mentors - Vera Zemscova, Julia Bulgakova, Jelena Oshepkova, Liudmyla Mishchenko, Darja Tokranova, Dan Mikkin, Konstantin Zhilin: You are the engine behind the program and your knowledge and expertise allowed us to have such high-quality contents. It’s pleasure and honor to work with you!
✅ Our partners - Smaily - intentionally simple email marketing and automation (Tanel Rand, Erkki Markus), Loginet Solutions (Konstantin Roomet), PRNEWS.IO (Alexander Storozhuk), EENA BPW Estonia (Ester Eomois), Atea Eestis (Raivar Vaher, Anni Umbleja), Sorainen Eesti (Mirell Prosa), sTARTUp Day (Jana Saastamoinen), ZenFrog Lab (Alexander Bitskov), Latitude59 (Liisi Org), Hooandja (Tuulike Mänd), Digit Conference (Noora Ustav), Loov Eesti (Eva Leemet), Estonian Business School (Andreas Veispak), Hanna Kibalchich-Poda: Thank you for your awards, bonus sessions, and your willingness to support creatives. It’s truly invaluable!
✅ All participants: You were absolutely awesome and we were very delighted to see your progress! Keep your enthusiasm and curiosity!
I hope to continue this program in the same or in a different format. If you’d like to collaborate, let's discuss!
Photos by: 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐤 Pʜᴏᴛᴏɢʀᴀᴘʜʏ and Jelizaveta Gross
