The organizational structure of a successful, award-winning agency

Vaan, formerly known as The Vaan Group, exemplifies intentional and strategic growth from a small agency to a specialized design technology and eCommerce firm. Founded in 2015 by Chuong Nguyen-Thanh and Xavier Armand, Vaan evolved from niche Shopify expertise into an agency that prioritizes excellent work, aiming to become an award-winning digital experience provider. The agency is structured into four departments—design, engineering, project management, and product management—each tailored to support specific work types, supplemented by a quality assurance team and a board of advisors. Vaan's growth underwent three stages: starting with individual practitioners, evolving into a guild structure focused on skill specialization, and finally becoming a full-service team capable of handling large-scale projects. The agency's adaptability to change its structure based on internal and external signals, such as client feedback and project demands, has been key to its success. This growth is pursued with a clear end goal, avoiding unchecked expansion to maintain a close-knit organizational atmosphere where quality work and personal connections are prioritized.