#8: The shared thread: Meaningful creative expression in service design and entrepreneurship. A talk with Dan Mikkin (Service design consultant, Estonia)

In this podcast episode, Dan Mikkin shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned while co-founding Brand Manual, a consultancy specializing in service design and branding. He delves into the role of a service designer, and he elaborates on his experiences gained through consulting with diverse businesses. Doing this, he offers a wealth of knowledge on service design and brand management.Furthermore, Dan reflects on his perspective on creativity and its pivotal role in entrepreneurship and sustaining a business. He reflects on the nuanced approach to creative expression, drawing comparisons between a designer and an artist.Additionally, the episode features Dan's reflections on his teaching experience in entrepreneurship at Tallinn University’s Baltic Film, Media, and Arts School. Dan Mikkin was one of the service design pioneers in Estonia back in 2009. Today he’s focused on consulting and leading service and product development in big organisations. Subsequently, he’s also mentoring in-house development teams. Some of the projects at hand:• e-Residency, Estonia’s digital identity• Elora, a nursing hospital and care brand As an educator, he tackles governmental and corporate service design projects with Interaction Design students (MA) at the Estonian Art Academy, teaches creative entrepreneurship (BA) at the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School. Mentors and conducts design thinking workshops in cooperation with Enterprise Estonia and Estonian Development Cooperation Office. A cycling aficionado. As a photographer, has a number of personal exhibitions to account for.Quote from the talk: "Entrepreneurs have to be creative to offer something that nobody else does. If they are not, then they will be subcontractors. And that's a very vulnerable business".www.linkedin.com/in/danmikkin/https://www.thebrandmanual.comHost: Ulrike RohnSound: Tanel Kadalipp (episode 1-14), Sangam Panta (episode 15 -https://bfmentrepreneurhub.tlu.ee/screenme-podcast/