In the uncertain days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when people were confined to their homes and struggling with a sense of suffocation, a Facebook post about a song caught the attention of two young men. The song was Kabir Suman’s Tumi Dekhbe (“You Will See”).

“I believe that one day a great storm will come, and its force will shake every structure in this world”—the song’s lyrics, melody and philosophy of life brought Tariful Islam and Sohanur Rahman together. What began with a shared appreciation for music gradually developed into conversations about literature, culture and various forms of constructive creativity.

They did not want to limit their ideas to conversations alone. Around 2022–23, the two, along with several others, attempted to build an audiobook platform. The initiative, however, did not succeed and resulted in financial losses. But they did not consider the setback the end of the road. Instead, the experience taught them important lessons about market realities, content depth and the need for sound business planning.

Drawing on that experience, they launched a new venture in 2024—a creative agency called Ideas Flow.

At a time when digital platforms are dominated by the race for trends and quick, viral content, Ideas Flow chose a different path. Its core philosophy is simple: thinking should be slow and deep so that the results are fast and sustainable.

Although the agency is still relatively young, it has been providing comprehensive creative solutions to local brands and e-commerce ventures since the beginning of its journey.

Alongside brand strategy, Ideas Flow works on social media design, video advertisements (OVCs), promotional content, motion animation, jingles, advertising scripts and content writing. The agency also develops sales funnels for clients and manages media PR and influencer campaigns, aiming to support brands’ long-term and overall growth.

A major strength behind Ideas Flow’s progress is the complementary roles played by its two co-founders. Sohanur Rahman oversees overall brand strategy and creative direction, while Tariful Islam leads business development, operations and the overall execution of the agency’s work.

Tariful Islam said, “The failure of the audiobook project did not stop us; rather, it opened our eyes. We realised that emotion alone cannot build a sustainable organisation. It requires precise operations and effective business development. In the age of artificial intelligence, creating ordinary content has become very easy. But achieving a brand’s real objectives and building meaningful connections with people require deep thinking. That is exactly where we are focusing.”

Ideas Flow is not merely a commercial agency; it is also creating opportunities for young professionals. The organisation is growing with a team of young talents, whom it aims to develop beyond routine task execution by providing exposure to branding, market insights and practical business skills.

What began as a connection between two young people through their shared love of music and culture has now evolved into a trusted creative venture. Having overcome the setback of their earlier loss-making initiative, they are now moving forward with renewed energy and ambition in Bangladesh’s creative industry.