Everyday Empires: Namya Khan’s Supafast
Namya Khan shares how she launched Supafast, an innovative design agency, in mere months while only working 4 hours a day
Welcome back to Everyday Empires, your weekly interview series spotlighting everyday founders. Today, we're delving into Namya Khan’s inspiring journey with Supafast.
She built her design + engineering agency, Supafast, to 5 figures in its first month, while only working 4 hours a day - and only a year out of university.
How’d she do it?
Let’s dive into the conversation (4 min read):
Everyday Empires: Can you give us an elevator pitch for Supafast? What problem are you solving, and who are you solving it for?
Namya Khan: Supafast is here to make life easier for startups, entrepreneurs, and creators who need to shine online. We take care of both design and coding, so you don't have to deal with the hassle of hiring full-time pros. It's not just cost-effective; it also saves you from the headache of managing teams. Imagine paying over $500k for a senior designer and a developer, not to mention additional expenses like benefits and vacation days. With Supafast, you can focus on your goals without worrying about breaking the bank or managing complex teams.
EE: When did you launch Supafast and what inspired you to start it?
NK: I started Supafast after noticing a gap in the market for design and coding services. While working on freelance projects involving both design and coding, I saw the need.
Many agencies were offering design subscription services, but we wanted to provide something unique. We launched Supafast officially in September, with the website launching in October. It's all about meeting the specific needs of startups and creators who want a more flexible and personalized approach.
EE: I saw you quit your 9-5 and were full-time on Supafast for a couple months before you even had a website live! Where’d you find your initial clients and what gave you the confidence to go all-in on Supafast?
NK: When I decided to quit my 9-5 job, I was an underdog. With just 8k followers on X, I didn't have a clear concept of Supafast. I was juggling freelance projects on the side.
My journey began with a software engineering job fresh out of university last year. However, I soon realized the 9-5 life wasn't for me, so I left in just 5 months. I wanted more than doing the same work every day. Burnout and misery had set in, and I had lost touch with my hobbies. I wanted the freedom to do what I want, when I want, and with whom I want.
Starting my own business seemed like the perfect path to achieve this, and that's how Supafast came into being. It's about wearing multiple hats, learning new things, and pursuing my passions.
EE: How do you define success for Supafast, and how close are you to that vision?
NK: Success with Supafast means having freedom and flexibility in my life. I want to choose my work, schedule, and colleagues. It's about helping startup founders bring their visions to life and connecting with new entrepreneurs every day.
Currently, I work only four hours a day, which aligns with my vision of success. However, I plan to scale Supafast in the future to assist more clients and make a bigger impact in design and engineering.
EE: You have some gems on X about the advantages of solopreneurship relative to a traditional 9-5. Can you share a glimpse of your day-to-day life as the founder of Supafast?
NK: Certainly! As the founder of Supafast, my days are very dynamic. Unlike my previous 9-5 job where I mainly focused on coding and design, my role now includes a wide range of activities.
I start my day by working on client projects, which can involve design or coding, depending on the client's needs. After that, I handle emails, create content, and manage marketing and sales activities. I also have meetings with clients, which adds variety and excitement to my work. In essence, my daily routine is unpredictable, but that's what makes each day at Supafast unique and fulfilling.
EE: Would you be comfortable sharing any key financial indicators or customer metrics that underscore Supafast’s performance?
NK: Supafast achieved remarkable success from the start. In our first month, we made five-figure revenue. 100% of our leads come from X, showing the power of our online presence and the trust we've built in that community.
Additionally, nearly 50% of our customers come through referrals, highlighting their high satisfaction and their willingness to recommend us. Furthermore, we've onboarded two clients without an introductory call, thanks to positive word-of-mouth referrals.
EE: It seems like you’ve established yourself professionally and launched a successful venture quite quickly (a year or so?). What’s your secret?
NK: Within a few months, the "secret" is to focus on one thing, delay immediate gratification, and commit to the long-term journey. Embrace failure as valuable learning experiences. Continuously iterate, doubling down on what works and ruthlessly eliminating what doesn't.
Shift your mindset from thinking in days to thinking in decades to achieve success.
EE: If someone reading this wants to start an agency, what’s the best piece of advice you can give them?
NK: Here's how I escaped the rat race and scaled my agency to six figures per year:
Learn high-income skills.
Build a personal brand.
Find high-value clients.
Charge between $3,000 and $10,000.
Invest in courses and mentorship.
Utilize automation and AI tools to save time and effort.
It's all about investing in yourself, your skills, and the right tools!
EE: Before we wrap, is there anything about your journey we haven’t covered that you’d like my audience to know?
NK: Absolutely! Despite not having a traditional background in entrepreneurship, with no degrees in computer science, design, or business, no prior experience at a major tech company, and being relatively young and fresh out of college, I started this venture.
While I felt anxious comparing myself to more experienced individuals, I want your audience to know that they can achieve success too. The key is to believe in yourself, be obsessed with learning, and create your own unique journey. Working seriously for a few months can outwork the majority of people. The bar is too low.
That’s a wrap
A massive shoutout to Namya for sharing a glimpse into her journey! If her words, “The bar is too low” don’t motivate you, you’re not hooked up right.
Before you leave, be sure to check out Namya’s venture and follow her:
Namya’s business: Supafast
Follow her on X: @namyakhann
Follow her on LinkedIn: @namyakhan
Questions or feedback?
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this issue of Everyday Empires (or didn’t), please let me know in the comments, reply to this email, or DM me on X.
If you know a founder (or are one!) whose journey could encourage others to launch a venture, please let me know. I’m always on the lookout for relatable and inspiring founder stories.
Until next week,