These are our values, it’s what we live by.
This is the fabric of our culture and the framework for all decisions made within the walls of StratLab. They shape who we are, who we work with, and the art we create.
1. Leaders Eat Last.
(Hat tip Simon Sinek) Being a leader isn’t telling people what to do. Leading is inspiring, listening, helping, and staying humble. Never give someone a task to do that you wouldn’t do yourself. Servant Leadership is the only leadership.
2. Be available
Forget 9 to 5. Forget boardrooms. Forget receptionists. Forget scheduling a meeting with an “assistant”. We promise you can pick up the phone and actually talk to the person who’s doing the work. It’s after 5pm or on the weekend?!? Oh Heavens to Betsy! It’s 2018, we’ll answer or call you back within the day.
3. We promise to be honest
We might not agree with everything you say. But we promise we’ll tell you the truth so you can improve. We think being honest is more valuable than being a “yes man”.
4. ABM (Always be measuring)
Measuring data helps us figure out what works, and what doesn’t. Just like in Moneyball, we have a small advantage when we measure properly. We want to give you that advantage.
5. People before policy
Our friends are your friends. If we can find someone who can help or is better fit for your needs, we’ll put you in touch. We feel people and relationships are more important than any policy or business outcome you can focus on.
6. There is always a better way
There is always a faster, cheaper and more efficient way of getting the job done. That is why we are always testing, trying new things, and never using the excuse “but that’s the way we’ve always done it“!
7. It’s okay to fail
If you aren’t making mistakes you aren’t moving fast enough. (some Zuckerberg said that!) Being vulnerable and failing is something we’re okay with because it’s how we learn and improve as humans. We’d never pass up an opportunity to learn from a mistake. After all, if you learned something valuable from a mishap, was it really a mistake?
8. Create history
We only get one shot at this and if you just want to advertise or market we’re not interested. As Shep Gordon would say, we need to create history. We need to do the work that changes things, the work that dints the status quo, that still means something days, months, if not years after. Truly doing something remarkable.
If you want to create history we should talk.
Angela Bailey
In the third grade, I clearly remember wanting to be a teacher just so I could play with Sticky-Tac all day. Even up until grade twelve, I still had that career in mind, with different intentions of course, but it wasn’t until I got into photography that I discovered design was a passion of mine. I’m forever thankful that a part-time internship for school turned into a place I can call my family. As a breakfast food enthusiast, antique lover, and creative spirit, I feel at home with Strategy Lab. Today, I am certain that this is where I belong; amidst ping-pong tournaments and late-night jam sessions!
Logan Gelowitz
My name is Logan, but you can call me Perogie! I believe everything is a choice, so let’s choose to do things out of kindness! Choose to do things out of love! And even if you fail, look at every day as a fresh start to try again. I don’t believe life is about being one definition of perfect, but rather growing each day to progressively become the best version of yourself. The best decision I’ve ever made was choosing happiness and investing in myself to become a better person. I currently am a student, I enjoy traveling, learning new things, volunteering, supporting my friends, having fun and anything that warms my heart! Back to choices, I believe everything that happens to you is a product of your choices. For example, had I not chosen to take the long way to my car and randomly stop and talk to two strangers, I would not be here! Stratlab, has given me a platform to explore passions of mine that didn’t have a place in the traditional work place, and for that I will feel forever grateful. I have always thought that chosen family was extremely important, and that’s what we have here! This year I hope to push myself more and to be constantly growing into the best version of myself!
Dyson Nordwick
I have a Costco fake ID to get in for food, don’t snitch. I started playing hockey when I was 5 and i’ve been playing ever since. I also played football throughout high school. I fell in love with both sports because they’re team games. You learn from others, and you meet friends that you know will have your back, on and off the ice and field. I love fitness After high school, I moved to Sweden where I continued my hockey career. I was all about the dump and change as well as the forecheck, back-check, pay-check. I gave up the NHL dream to pursue my other passions, photography and videography. I traded the dressing room for the ping pong table at Stratlab.
Edwardo Alvaro
I have never been one to go with the crowd – if everyone went left, I’d run to the right. For as long as I can remember, being different and standing out have been important to me. Through graphic design and other creative outlets; photography, filmography, etc., I can express my individuality while still producing eye-catching products – it also helps when you love what you do. I have a personal challenge of making at least one person smile each day. And when I put my art into our clients’ products I try even harder to get that smile. As I grow, both as a designer and as a person, being passionate about something and remembering to be human first are what matter to me the most. Other passions of mine are creative expression, dancing, and of course, pizza.
Anastas Maragos
I started shooting automotive videography in September of 2013. I stuck close to the automotive videography scene for a few years as I’m big into cars. I tried out a few classes at the University of Regina In Arts & Science while also on a waiting list at SIAST for the Emergency Medical Technician program and realized that my time was better spent with my passion behind the lens of a camera. I wanted to step out of my automotive video shooting comfort zone. Right around the same time my automotive YouTube channel rolled passed 1 million overall views, I started working full time at Strategy Lab. I’m eager to try shooting anything and everything. Testimonial, wedding, music video, real estate, modelling profiles, automotive productions, and sports are some categories of videos I’ve been involved in shooting. Most videos you see coming from Strategy Lab I’ve either edited, shot or done both. While I’m sometimes quiet on a shoot, I’m really just constantly brainstorming Ideas to make your business’s video better than my original idea. In my spare time you’ll either find me working on my motorcycle, out for a drink at a decent lounge or posting an Instagram picture.
Connor Brezinsky
I embrace go big or go home, why do something mediocre when you can do something amazing. My interest for technology was always there as a kid and when I was 10 I taught myself to program, that’s when I fell in love. I’ve been making games, websites, apps & hosting my own servers in my basement since then. I help out with really anything at Strategy Lab, mostly with websites. Some of my other interests include graphic design, photography & snowboarding. As a fresh high school graduate, I plan on pursuing my interest in technology with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Marc Gagnon
The arts, especially film, have always been of interest to me. I am looking forward to learning everything the people at Strategy Lab can teach me. I usually audit one class every semester at the University of Regina. When I am not at class or at Strategy Lab, I might be at the Y or at a Yoga class or at a movie.
Misha Tsymbal
I believe the world is an apple, and you got to take a big bite out of it to achieve your full potential. Coming from a small village in the Ukraine, working the corn fields at the age of nine just to get through the day. That was just an appetizer of my daily life, but I have always dreamed of something greater and so did my family. One day sitting on my front porch, I overheard my parents arguing about something called Canada. I didn’t know what it was, but sure enough six months later with a backpack, two shirts, and worn off pair of jeans I was on that Air Canada flight watching Kung-fu Panda in a language I didn’t know existed. As you take a bite also don’t forget to look around share with others, just like some stranger shared with my dad an opportunity that changed my life, as you can achieve more with a team by your side. I have never thought I will be where I am right now, 18 and working for Cupcakes and Websites a company that was in my sights for a while. When I saw Jeph, an interesting fellow who I wanted to work with, because I saw that he possesses the skill and the mindset of “nothing is impossible” I desired. Now I want to share that same mindset with everyone I meet, thus cupcakes and websites are here so you feel the same!
Andriy Tkach
I am a huge opportunist. I have my entire life looked around my world to see what is there for me to explore and most of the time the things that are worth exploring were the things that took time to find. Opportunities are all around us and are always present, it is only a matter of reaching out and grabbing them. I never thought that I would end up in marketing but in some weird way the Universe has now put me here and I am happier than ever. Marketing and graphic design are such interesting topics. I firmly believe that graphic designers and website makers are the Picassos and Da Vincis of today – the only challenge sometimes is to step out of the box and be the El Salvador Dali. And that is exactly what I have always found my self to be – different and out of the box. I do not believe that the status quo is the only way of life, instead I look at great minds of our times and see what they did and how they were different. I try to make people laugh every day with at least one dad joke or pun, because seeing positivity in people’s eyes is extremely satisfying! I love doing something that helps others in some way or another, and changing the world is always good. Whenever I look at things that high school students like me invent or innovate to help make the world a better place and it brings a huge smile on my face and hope to my heart because it helps me understand that if they can do it so can anyone else!
Jeph Maystruck
I love marketing and making people smarter. I grew up in Regina and will one day show the world how amazing our little city is. I’m a self proclaimed master chef (not really, just kind of a fatty on the inside, I love to make delicious food) I read lots, yeah you’re right, that sounds nerdy. I assure you, I’m not a nerd. I like positive people, loud shoes and I believe when cooking you can never add too much butter, chocolate chips, bacon or cheese. Think about it. I play tennis, golf, hockey, volleyball, bocce ball, and Ping Pong. I’ve been a consultant for the past Eight years and have learned a lot in my time working with an array of businesses. Strategy really is about choosing what not to do. Defining your vision, values, and BHAGs*, is probably the most important thing you will do in your business. *Big Hairy Audacious Goals
“You can either fit in or stand out but you can’t do both.” -Seth Godin
Brandon Wu
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been fascinated with building things. Lego, soapbox cars, weedwacker-powered scooters, and DIY camera gear are a few things in my portfolio, but it wasn’t until I built my first blog, that I really found my groove. Without the intent of making money, I began looking into ways to build websites more efficiently and eventually started helping others. I really just wanted to watch out for other entrepreneurs who shouldn’t have been spending massive amounts of their hard earned marketing dollars on an overpriced website. I believe Seth Godin said it best regarding recognizing the importance of a straightforward website: “For most people, that’s all you need. A website that’s good enough. Not that breaks new ground, establishes a new identity, discovers new ways for people to interact online. Just a good enough website that didn’t kill you to launch.” I build websites that make the most sense for your business. The one that helps a prospect gain trust and get information. For most, this is about good content, easy navigation, and simplicity.