From a three-person no-code development team to a studio

In this post, I reflected on the challenges of building a no-code online dispute resolution platform during COVID-19, taking on multiple roles amid leadership changes and team dissolution. The experience led to a more profound understanding of what modern founders and lean teams truly need: clarity, intention, and structured support. This realisation inspired the creation of Studio Qiro, a creative service built around a "one request at a time" model designed to reduce chaos and encourage focused, sustainable progress. The post invites others to rethink how they work, share their stories, and embrace systems that support deep, meaningful output.

Admin

4/2/20252 min read

When COVID-19 hit, I was part of a small, focused team building a no-code solution for managing online dispute resolution workflows that we were genuinely proud of. We were a team of three, agile, experimental, and passionate individuals who took on various roles and learnt as we went. We embraced a no-code agile approach and believed in what we were creating.

Then, the management changed at the headquarters. Leadership changed. Priorities were reviewed. Our project, once full of momentum, was paused while decisions were made. My teammates decided to move forward with their paths. I was genuinely excited for them, but I was also left holding the reins.

Suddenly, I wasn’t just building the backend. I was also:

The no-code developer for a new public scheme
Responding to users
Managing timelines
Planning launches
The web editor
IT support (IT and Marcomms)
The social media designer
The gifts and awards curator

But it also gave me clarity.

Creative clarity is a gift that often arrives in hard seasons. Wearing every hat made me understand something deeper about creative support:

Modern founders and small teams don’t need more chaos. They need better systems.
They need consistency, boundaries, and a reliable creative rhythm. They require a partner who facilitates their progress, not merely one who fulfils formalities. That’s when the idea behind Studio Qiro began to take shape. We built a system for deep work, clarity, and creative flow.

Our one-request-at-a-time model isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing what matters with full attention. No scatter. No last-minute scrambles. No creative burnout.

Instead, we focus on:

Clear deliverables
Thoughtful execution
Work that provides ample breathing room and opportunities to shine

It’s not about saying “yes” to everything. It’s about showing up with intention.

We also value clients who value clarity. Some clients want to get it all done yesterday. We prefer those who think about their needs and are ready to build sustainably, not frantically. We’ve learnt that scaling doesn’t always mean hiring more. Occasionally, it means refining your systems, simplifying your asks, and working with the right creative partner.

You’re not alone.
There is another way to build, more efficiently, smarter, and more sustainably.

Have you had a similar experience trying to juggle everything at once?
I’d genuinely love to hear your story – what worked, what didn’t, or what you’re still figuring out. Let’s continue to build, one clear and thoughtful request at a time.