#fromstartuptostudio

By Akhil Jayalekshmi Madhu

Sometimes growth happens slowly. Other times, it hits like a wave.

At Comet Web Solutions LLP, our journey didn’t begin with a slick office, a large team, or global ambitions. It started with a laptop, a handful of freelance gigs, and the desire to build things that worked.

We didn’t set out to become an agency. We became one by doing the work—day by day, client by client, problem by problem. And that path—from solo freelancing in Kerala to leading a full-service digital agency that now works across time zones—is something I reflect on often.

Here’s a look back at where we started, what we learned, and where we’re going.

The Early Days: Freelance, Figuring It Out

In 2018, it was just me—taking on small website projects for local businesses. I handled everything: design, development, support, invoicing, even writing content when needed.

There were late nights and moments of doubt. But there were also wins: the first time a client referred someone else, the first time someone said, “You made this easy.”

That feedback became our compass. If we could make the digital side of business easier for people, maybe we had something more than a one-person hustle.

Forming Comet Web Solutions LLP

By 2020, demand grew. I couldn’t do it alone anymore. That’s when the transition began—from freelancer to founder.

We registered Comet Web Solutions LLP in India and brought on our first team members. It wasn’t a clean shift—it was messy, uncertain. Suddenly, there were payrolls to manage, project timelines to enforce, and brand consistency to uphold.

We made mistakes. Hired too fast. Underquoted projects. Burned out. But we learned. We adapted.

And we stayed obsessed with two things:

Doing right by the client

Getting better with every project

The Projects That Pushed Us Forward

Some clients helped us grow without even realizing it. A healthcare startup that needed full-stack development taught us agile sprints. A UK-based ecommerce brand with high standards raised our standards.

The more challenging the brief, the more we grew into our name—Comet.

Fast. Focused. Trajectory-driven.

Lessons Along the Way

Freelance habits die hard. I had to learn to let go and delegate. Trusting others wasn’t easy at first, but it’s the only way to scale.

Not every client is your client. Saying no became one of the most valuable skills we developed as an agency.

Systems matter. Tools like Trello, Figma, and Slack weren’t just conveniences—they became essential to running multiple projects without chaos.

The team is everything. Culture isn’t snacks and perks. It’s people showing up for each other, even on tough days.

Why This Journey Still Feels Personal

Even as we work with clients across continents—from startups in the UAE to nonprofits in South India—every project still has that freelance DNA. That personal investment. That urge to over-deliver.

We haven’t forgotten where we came from. And we don’t want to.

That’s probably why being nominated for the 2025 Go Global Awards in London means so much to us. Not just because it’s international recognition. But because it celebrates companies that build from the ground up, adapt to global challenges, and stay curious about what’s next.

It’s more than an awards show—it’s a gathering of stories. Ours included.

Final Thought

Going from freelance to agency isn’t about size. It’s about shift. A shift in mindset. A shift in responsibility. A shift in what success means.

For me, success is still that moment when a client sees their new website and smiles. Or when a team member says, “I figured it out.”