Meet Vitali Zahharov

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vitali Zahharov a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Vitali, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is something I still grapple with from time to time. The way I deal with it is by channeling that energy into consistent hard work. Whenever I feel doubt creeping in, I remind myself that competence comes from action, not overthinking. If I have free time, I spend it working—not because I want to avoid relaxation, but because I genuinely believe that every hour of focused effort brings me closer to mastering my craft.

I’ve realized that the antidote to imposter syndrome isn’t convincing yourself you’re already great—it’s proving to yourself, day by day, that you’re becoming the person you want to be. Every project I complete, every challenge I tackle, and every satisfied client gives me a little more confidence to say, I did that.

I don’t spend much time lounging on the couch or at the beach. Not because I don’t value rest, but because for me, progress feels more fulfilling. When you commit to improving daily, the self-doubt starts to lose its grip. It doesn’t disappear completely, but it becomes a quieter voice in the background, drowned out by the satisfaction of creating something meaningful.

For anyone struggling with imposter syndrome, my advice is to focus on doing the work. The more you practice, learn, and create, the harder it becomes to doubt your abilities. Over time, the results will speak louder than your doubts ever could.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’ve come a long way from the frosty landscapes of Estonia to the vibrant, sun-soaked energy of Los Angeles, California. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with major clients worldwide, helping some of them generate millions in revenue.

Born and raised in the charming but chilly Northern European country of Estonia, I spent much of my early life in its capital, Tallinn. Despite my deep connection to its small, close-knit community, I always knew that one day I would venture beyond its borders to carve out a life and career on a larger stage. That moment arrived when I was 27, and my first leap took me to Singapore.

Singapore was a revelation—a city buzzing with opportunity and cultural diversity. I was fortunate to secure a role as Creative Director with a local design agency called Wishbone, which became a stepping stone for working on impactful projects with global brands like Toshiba, Legrand, and JLL. This chapter of my life not only sharpened my professional expertise but also immersed me in a kaleidoscope of cultures, cuisines, and, most importantly, people. I found connections with individuals from different part of the world like Japan and Egypt.

However, starting over in a new country is no small feat. Building a life from scratch—navigating unfamiliar systems, finding the right social circle, and making countless decisions—challenged me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Coming from a city of just over 300,000 people, adapting to Singapore’s scale and pace was overwhelming. After about a year, my wife and I decided to return to Estonia, but the experience left a lasting imprint on us.

Back home, the seed of living abroad had taken root in our minds. After some reflection, we decided to try Spain. Its warm climate, incredible cuisine, and welcoming people made it an attractive choice. Being part of the European Union simplified the logistics, and we settled in easily. During this time, I worked as a freelance designer and began dreaming about launching my own design studio. Yet, the itch to explore something bigger remained.

The United States wasn’t initially part of our plan, but one day, my wife and I decided to take the leap. After all, life is too short not to embrace bold opportunities. I was fortunate to secure a work visa, and we set out to start anew in Los Angeles. We arrived knowing no one and with no guarantees. I didn’t even have a job lined up—but I had a dream.

That dream became Modden, a digital design studio specializing in art direction, motion, and web design. From the beginning, my mission has been to deliver top-notch work that pushes boundaries and leaves a lasting impact.

In just three years, I’ve had the honor of working with incredible clients, including Snowflake, Double, Prism, PAX, Samsung, and even prominent influencers with millions of followers like Impact Theory. What started as a dream has transformed into a journey I couldn’t have imagined, proving that taking risks can lead to extraordinary rewards.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three key qualities and skills have stood out as transformative in my journey: adaptability, creative problem-solving, and a strong work ethic. Here’s why they mattered and how I’d advise others to develop them:

1. Adaptability
Moving from Estonia to United States meant constantly stepping into new environments with different cultural norms, professional expectations, and other challenges. Adaptability was crucial—not just to survive but to thrive. It allowed me to pivot when something didn’t work and to embrace uncertainty as a gateway to growth.

Advice from me is:

Step out of your comfort zone: Take on challenges that force you to think and act differently, whether it’s working with people from different backgrounds, traveling, or trying projects outside your expertise. Working with people from different disciplines can unlock creative solutions you wouldn’t have thought of on your own.

Also regarding work I can only say that you should set clear goals: Know what you’re working toward and break it down into actionable steps. Progress happens one step at a time.
Be consistent: Show up and do the work every day, even when motivation is low. Momentum builds success.
Invest in learning: Never stop improving your skills, whether through online courses, books, or mentorship.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was to instill a deep sense of independence and resilience while encouraging me to pursue my passions unapologetically. They always believed in my ability to figure things out on my own, which built the confidence and determination I needed to navigate the challenges of life and my career.

Growing up in small country especially after USSR collapsed was a super challenging. It’s a whole new country, with new laws, currency, language and many other things. My parents didn’t try to map out my future or push me toward a particular path. Instead, they provided a stable foundation, taught me the value of hard work, and trusted me to make my own decisions. This freedom allowed me to explore my interests—whether it was web development, design, or eventually moving abroad to follow my dreams. Even when I decided to move halfway across the world, they supported me emotionally, reminding me that I could always come back if things didn’t work out.

Their trust and support gave me the courage to take risks, make mistakes, and grow from them. It’s a mindset I carry with me to this day, especially as I’ve faced the challenges of building my career and starting a business in a foreign country. Their quiet confidence in my abilities taught me that success isn’t about having all the answers upfront—it’s about having the willingness to learn and adapt as you go.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vitali.work
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vitali.work
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahharov

Image Credits

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