Monica Sanchez and Yianni Mathioudakis - cofounders of DEEO

In this episode, Tracey speaks with Monica Sanchez and Yianni Mathioudakis, co-founders of DEEO, a creative studio focused on digital design, strategy, and innovation. Having worked together for years in different capacities, Monica and Yianni share their experiences launching their own company, embracing risk, rejecting bad-fit clients, and fostering an environment of curiosity, exploration, and adaptability in their work.

They discuss the importance of defining what you don’t want as much as what you do, why creative work requires breaking free from checklists, and how they balance process with innovation. The conversation also dives into AI in design, the evolving role of experimentation in creative agencies, and what it means to work with clients who trust the creative process rather than treating designers as mere “pixel pushers.”

If you’re a creative professional, business owner, or simply someone who values intelligent risk-taking, this episode offers deep insights into running a modern creative studio.