Maria Iontseva

Co-Founder & CEO - Lobster.Media

Maria Iontseva

Tell us about yourself, Maria.

I studied Computer Science and Maths at university, which led me to become interested in User Experience and User Interface and creating for the internet. After graduation, I worked for a couple of large international companies as a UX & UI Designer, but after ten years I started to become tired of corporate life. The work wasn’t satisfying anymore, so I met up with two friends I knew from university and my professional life to create something new; Lobster Media was the new adventure I was looking for.

Tell us more about Lobster

We noticed that there was a lack of authentic, interesting visual content for advertising and publishing campaigns, so we set out to create a solution that served businesses of all sizes. Lobster.Media is a place where anyone can buy or sell photos and videos, simply. So, if you’re a local business looking for the perfect photo for Instagram or looking to earn a little extra selling you own photos and videos, Lobster can help. We’re constantly innovating with the use of Artificial Intelligence to create a platform that’s easy to use whilst driving creativity and innovation in our industry. Members can also take part in our community challenges to win great prizes, and we welcome contributors of all experience levels.

What is your connection with Primrose Hill?

My partner and I were lucky enough to move to Primrose Hill last year and absolutely love it here. Even though Lobster has offices in London and Moscow with staff working remotely across the world, I still prefer to work from home when I can; it helps me concentrate and be more productive. This means I get to enjoy all the wonderful independent cafes, shops and green spaces in Primrose Hill daily. It’s great to be surrounded by so many like-minded business owners and creativity every day; I often spend time in Greenberry, a great place for coffee/wine with plenty of vegetarian food options.

What is the biggest challenge you are facing right now?

We’ve just started raising a new investment round for Lobster, so we’re working hard to take the business to the next level. With lots of events and meetings happening internationally, there’s a lot going on. I would love to get some feedback from local agencies, businesses and investors on what they think we could improve on.

Any advice for anyone thinking about becoming an entrepreneur?

Find a team, be brave. Even if it seems like a race, you have to be prepared for a marathon with the intensity of a roller coaster. It’s worth the ride.Maria Iontseva

Read the full OnTheHill interview