On May 8 this year, Oddbee is turning 10. With this personal post about the agency’s history, we want to reflect on this incredible journey from a one-woman shop to an award-winning team and celebrate our collective achievements, years of hard work, and the clients who have supported us along the way.
The take-off
In January 2014, Kat left her last full-time job as a Creative Director at a Toronto tech startup, embarking on a journey to South America with no long-term plans. What started as a brief escape extended to four months across Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, offering her a break from a decade of non-stop work.
Kat, Founder
I remember toying with the idea of having my own agency, much like any young designer does – as something I’ll be ready for, one day.
But then, one day, when hiking the slopes of Machu Picchu, she got an email from her former freelance client, with whom she shared her aspirations.
“I see your desire and potential to run your own agency and am ready to invest and partner with you on mutually beneficial terms. If you believe you have what it takes, let’s talk further.”
“Wow, somebody believes in me”, went through Kat’s mind – and on her flight back from Cusco to Lima she was drafting the plan of what people she’d need to run a shop.
Kat knew about design, but the need for a trustworthy tech partner led her to Kyle, a bright and ambitious developer she met through industry events. Kyle introduced OJ, a business analyst skilled at crafting proposals. Together with a former client who stepped in as the “business guy,” they formed the inaugural Oddbee team, ready to take off.
On May 8 of the same year, corporation number 2418289, also known as Oddbee, became an official record on the Ontario business registry.
Lacking a portfolio as a company, they created the first Oddbee website as a showcase project. An illustrated site with animations and parallax effects popular at the time, was a hit—Oddbee V.1. was featured in design blogs, received minor awards, and gained credibility online. The little yellow aeroplane fired up its engine and took off.
Oddbee started as a digital agency, specialising in web design and development. Their first projects came from previous connections: former colleagues, friends, and traditional agencies seeking digital expertise. The clients ranged from legal firms to architectural practices and travel agencies, essentially anyone who needed work done.
Yet, despite a promising start, Oddbee V1 didn’t fly far. Within the first 2 years the partners separated, each for their own reason, leaving Kat to navigate the challenges of the solo flight.
Freelancer Fleet
2015 to 2020 was the time of trial and error. Oddbee went from a one-(wo)man shop to a network of reliable partners that will become the foundation of the ‘real agency’ in the future.
A pivotal moment for Oddbee was the introduction of Yulia. Now a Tech Lead and Project Manager, she joined Oddbee nine years ago as a junior freelance web developer. “I don’t know how, but I’ll figure it out” was her approach to any difficult task that came her way. This can-do attitude established the foundation of Oddbee’s team culture, prioritising attitude, passion, and a willingness to learn over mere skill. It is this ethos that continues to enable the team to produce outstanding work.
Over these five years, Oddbee evolved through three coworking spaces, expanding its services to include branding and product design, while its clientele diversified from small businesses to tech startups and innovative firms in blockchain, VR, fintech and more.
As projects got bigger and stakes higher, it became apparent that relying solely on freelance talent was no longer viable for the agency’s growth. The need to expand was evident. Kat, who cherished the freedom to work from any location due to her love for travel, faced a dilemma: settle in a physical office or embrace remote work models, which were not widely accepted at the time.
“Where’s your office” – was the first question greeting them at every business gathering. Their response often included an eclectic mix of locations: “Toronto, Bali, Siberia…” Despite sounding more intriguing than admitting to not having an office, it failed to earn the seriousness they sought.
But then Covid happened.
Digital Hive
With the onset of Covid, Oddbee embraced its distributed nature, bringing on board its first permanent employee from Ukraine in March 2020, followed by another in May. The agency adopted the philosophy of hiring top talent regardless of their location worldwide, calling this approach the ‘Digital Hive’. This was more than a branding strategy; it was a testament to the company’s journey—a network of creatives working thousands of miles apart yet united by shared values and a commitment to excellence.
A year later Oddbee underwent a rebranding, unveiling a new website that marked its evolution. The agency forged partnerships with business incubators and accelerators, further embedding itself in the Toronto startup ecosystem. Their clients went from early-stage startups to investor-backed scale-ups, ready to compete on the word stage.
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The last two years have unfolded under the shadow of the war in Ukraine. With team members in Kharkiv, Oddbee witnessed firsthand the terror of the invasion’s initial days.
Navigating the complexities of operating during a conflict posed significant challenges. Yet, these struggles brought us closer, creating a tighter, more unified team.
To maintain morale in these tough times, Oddbee introduced a few team-building rituals. Mondays began with ice-breakers, sparking personal and professional revelations among team members. “Odd Thursdays” meetings, initially weekly and later monthly, created a space for sharing inspirations outside of work. Virtual gatherings, from parties to game nights and discussions on a wide range of topics, further cemented the team’s bond. The team grew to eight people at its peak.
During this time, Oddbee produced its best work, launched the company blog, and solidified the company culture.
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Reflecting on the past decade, the journey of Oddbee is a story of personal growth and the myriad lessons learned along the way. Each milestone has been a stepping stone towards realising a vision that once seemed as distant as the slopes of Machu Picchu. As we look to the future, the values of excellence, integrity, and the transformative power of design continue to guide us, reminding us that, indeed, we are not alone in this journey. The path may be fraught with challenges, but with a team that feels more like a family and a network that supports us, the possibilities are endless.
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Explore a decade of creativity and excellence at Oddbee — watch our demo reel:
