On this episode of Playdate, I sit down with Dragan Andic (@the.97), creative director and founder of The 97 Collective - whose journey is a reminder of what can happen when you commit to a vision before the world catches up to it. From his early days photographing behind the camera to now directing for some of the biggest artists in the world, his path has been built on consistency, risk, and trusting the process.

We get into how it all started... The foundation of The 97 Collective, the transition from photography into directing, what it looked like building something from the ground up, and what it actually felt like stepping into rooms that once felt out of reach. Dragan shares how his mindset has shifted as the stakes got higher, and what it takes to keep evolving creatively without losing your identity; about how his mindset has evolved as the opportunities got bigger. We also dive deep about the reality behind the work. The pressure, the pivots, and the moments that don’t go as planned.

If you’re building something, sitting on an idea, or waiting for the right time to start, this episode is your reminder that there is no perfect moment. There’s just the decision to begin.

Thanks for being here, and wishing you all the happiness and success in your pursuit for success!

Welcome to your next Playdate — conversations you don't rush.