Today we’d like to introduce you to Manan P.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
<b>NovaSlate</b> started with a pretty simple idea: help local businesses grow online while building something sustainable for the people doing the work. What began as a small mission slowly turned into a full-scale digital design agency.
We’re now based in Austin, but our team is spread across different parts of the U.S. and the world. We work with startups, small businesses, and growing companies on branding, web design, custom development, and digital strategy—but the heart of the work hasn’t really changed since day one.
In the beginning, we had no office, no funding, no portfolio, and no connections. We were in grad school, living on student loans, and figuring things out as we went. We talked to every local business we walked into, sent thousands of cold emails, and heard “no” more times than I can count—sometimes quite literally getting hung up on mid-sentence.
A handful of local businesses took a chance on us early on, and we’re still grateful for that. We worked harder than we charged, delivered more than promised, and treated every project like it mattered. That mindset shaped how NovaSlate operates today. We don’t overpromise. We don’t disappear.
Over the last couple of years, we hit what felt like a tipping point. We became clearer about the kind of work we do best and the kind of clients we do our best work with. In 2025, we made the decision to fully rebrand NovaSlate from the inside out. Not just a new look, but a new level of intention. Today, we’re focused on ambitious businesses, startups, and founders who care deeply about what they’re building and want to grow thoughtfully from early traction to real scale. We’re approaching projects differently, choosing partnerships more carefully, and taking a deliberate leap into the next chapter of the business.
It took about eight years to build a sustainable, profitable web design agency that could support a long-term team and a long-term vision. One of the things I’m most proud of is that most of the people who joined NovaSlate years ago are still here. We’ve grown slowly, intentionally, and with a lot of respect for the craft.
Every project we take on now still ties back to that original goal: <i>doing thoughtful digital work that genuinely helps businesses grow—and building something we’re proud to stand behind</i>.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road, and I don’t think it ever really is when you’re building something from scratch.
In the early years, we were figuring everything out in real time. We didn’t grow up in Austin, so there was no built-in network or community to lean on. Most opportunities came from cold emails, cold calls, and walking into businesses and introducing ourselves. A lot of people didn’t respond. Some were blunt or dismissive. That part was tough, especially when you’re putting yourself out there every day and hearing “no” more often than “yes.”
Many of the businesses we worked with early on were small and under real pressure themselves. Limited budgets, unclear vision, or unrealistic expectations taught us an important lesson. Not every project is the right fit, and being intentional about who you work with actually leads to better outcomes for everyone.
Then COVID hit, which was a turning point. Some businesses reached out because they had no choice but to adapt. During that time, we worked closely with clients to rethink their digital presence, adjust their messaging, and sometimes pivot their entire model. Those months were stressful, but they also reinforced why we started NovaSlate in the first place. We weren’t just building websites, we were helping businesses survive and find a way forward.
Looking back, the lack of connections, difficult clients, the constant outreach, and the uncertainty all shaped how we work today. We’re more thoughtful, more strategic, and far more empathetic to what it actually takes to grow a business. Having gone through it ourselves, we understand the pressure founders feel, and we know how important it is to have a digital partner who’s steady, honest, and invested in the long term.
Those challenges clarified what kind of agency we wanted to become.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about NovaSlate?
<b>NovaSlate</b> (novaslate.com) is a <b>digital design and development studio</b> built around thoughtful branding, custom websites, and digital experiences that are made to last. We specialize in branding, design, and fully coded custom or WordPress websites, partnering with startups, ambitious businesses, and growing brands that want something more intentional than an off-the-shelf solution. Check out some of the work we shared here.
We’re often brought in when the path isn’t obvious — a founder launching something new, a business that’s outgrown its website, or a product that needs careful thinking around design and scalability. Our work sits at the intersection of brand identity, web design, and development, with a strong focus on performance, clarity, and user experience.
What sets us apart is how hands-on and collaborative we are. We ask a lot of questions, challenge assumptions, and think beyond the immediate launch. We care just as much about how a website works under the hood as how it looks on the surface. Many of our clients return for multiple projects, and that long-term trust is something we’re especially proud of.
At NovaSlate, we believe in helping people dream bigger. We’re a close-knit team that values craft, communication, and doing work we can stand behind. We love collaborating with ambitious people and helping shape digital products, brands, and websites that tell their story the right way.
How do you think about happiness?
<b>Ethics</b>: Do the right thing <b>Impact</b>: Make meaningful work
<b>People</b>: Treat others well
<b>Life</b>: Coffee, sunsets, soccer, music, great company
<b>Work</b>: Helping a business grow and thrive
Contact Info:
- Website: https://novaslate.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novaslate_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/novaslate/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/novaslate-llc/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/novaslate-cedar-park
