Our DNA
There are a lot of agencies that do what we do. They share the same what and how, but our partners work with us for our why and our who. We’re minds and makers with business sense and creative chops, set out to connect people with what matters most — the experience. And we spend each day doing so by sharpening the tools of humanizing business.
These Are Our Values
This is the fabric of our culture and the framework for all decisions made within these walls. They shape who we are and the work we create.
1. Leaders eat last
Being a leader isn’t telling people what to do. Leading is inspiring, listening, helping, and staying humble.
2. Be available
Forget 9 to 5. Forget boardrooms. Forget receptionists. We promise you can pick up the phone and actually talk to the person who’s doing the work.
3. Tell it how it is
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. Always be measuring
Measuring data helps us figure out what works, and what doesn’t. If it isn’t working, we try something new.
5. Leverage relationships
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.
6. Find better ways
There’s always a faster, cheaper and more effective ways of getting the job done. Our goal is to find those ways.
7. It's ok to fail
Being vulnerable and failing is something we’re ok with because it’s how people learn and improve. In order to serve you better, we will never assume we’re right.
8. Never forget about the underdogs
We have a soft spot for helping the small organizations because we’ve been there before. And, well we still see ourselves as underdogs ourselves.
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.
Alex Johnson
Read, write and truth cite—that’s my M.O.. I’m a U of R Jschool grad and I've always felt like I live my life outside the norm. One of my favorite words is ‘unconventional’ because I believe you can have it all -- if you don’t let everyone else tell you how to get it. I’m a storyteller, and great stories exist everywhere if you take the time to listen. Sometimes it takes a bit of digging, but before you know it you’ve got yourself a golden story nugget. To me, there’s nothing sweeter than a story nugget. I love videography, public speaking and the sweet victory of experiencing ‘ah-ha’ moments. As a recent grad, I’ve re-learned how to sleep sweat and eat vegetables (not simultaneously or in that order). It’s glorious.
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.
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.
Conrad Hewitt
Making people laugh is one of my all time favourite things to do. Connecting with people through humor is something that’s incredibly important to me, and I bring that same mindset to marketing. Whether you’re a business, a non-profit, or someone trying to build a personal brand, I believe the number one thing you should be focused on is connecting with people. That means you can be fun, funny, clever, honest, open, and human no matter what business you’re in. I dabble in a number of areas at Strategy Lab, most notably in the areas of social media strategy and general word-smithing. I’m a Jack of all trades, master of few, passionate about my community, and always eager to learn anything (no matter how useless it may turn out to be). When I’m not tickling the computer keys you’ll find me over-analyzing sci-fi movies and enjoying a beer of average quality.
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!
Connor Brezinsky
I think 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, thats 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. I’m currently going to school at Michael A. Riffel high school and some of my other interests include graphic design, photography and snowboarding!
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.
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 coach volleyball, I love it, it's my favorite hobby. 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 four 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
Learn more about us on our blog
- September 16, 2017Community / Leadership / Stories
- September 11, 2017Leadership / Stratlab Poems / Video
- August 9, 2017Blogging / Books / Stories / Strategy