Building a Boutique Data Consultancy
CEO Svet on Growth, Grit, and Getting It Right
Svet recently joined Joe Reis on his podcast to talk about our journey, our mindset and what makes boutique data consulting work. It’s a personal story but also one that speaks to the kind of work we do and why we do it.
Building The Dot Collective: A Conversation with Our CEO
In this episode of The Joe Reis Show, our CEO Svet shares the real story behind launching The Dot Collective. From early post-COVID reflections to leading a people-first consultancy that now spans 80+ experts.
"We just stopped waiting for better times. This is the new norm — so let’s build something great anyway."
From Kitchen Table to 80+ Specialists
Svet shares how early trust from ex-colleagues and an obsession with quality delivery helped fuel The Dot Collective’s early momentum. It wasn’t about scale. It was about people, pragmatism and doing data right.
"If you're good at what you do — and you're a decent human — you're welcome here."
This ethos still shapes our culture. If you're curious about what makes us tick, head over to our About Us page.
Competing with the Giants
In the podcast, Svet gets real about competing with enterprise consultancies and why being smaller can be a strength, not a weakness.
"You're paying for the team, not five layers of account management. Our clients notice that difference."
With a laser focus on value and no fluff, The Dot Collective is designed for clients who want delivery without dilution.
What Leaders Should Know Right Now
The conversation also dives into what data leaders need to hear in today’s climate:
- Start with strong foundations
- Stop chasing shiny tools
- Focus on outcomes and ROI
- Treat data like a product
- Don’t skip the hard (but human) work of change
"People talk about AI when they barely do BI."
It’s a practical, no-nonsense take from someone who’s spent decades in data and is still growing a company in the thick of it.
Interested in joining a company that’s doing things differently? We’re always hiring brilliant minds who care about what they build. Explore our Careers page.