Elevator Q: Who was ELEVATOR’s first client and how did the opportunity present itself?
A: I landed my first major client one month after incorporating and it was Mark’s (formerly Mark’s Work Wearhouse). The company remained a client that grew as a corporation, requiring many more services from us for almost nine years. The business was on my radar because of my mother! She’d seen a CBC interview recorded from the Calgary HQ and gave me the head’s up that the company could use some help (messaging, image refresh, etc). I felt particularly confident as I’d just launched American Eagle Outfitters in Canada, so I called the President of Mark’s and it just so happened that he had Public Relations on his mind. Timing is everything. Our approach aligned with his team’s vision and our companies built a really synergistic relationship – hard work, lots of fun.
Q: Rewind 20 years, what was your vision for ELEVATOR?
A: It wasn’t what we’ve become, that’s for sure. Who knew the kind of impact that technology would have on the communications industry. I never would have imagined that networking would become so digitally driven. I did have a vision, and a dream, that I’d run a company with people who I really enjoyed working with, that I’d learn from everyday. I’m so lucky that I’ve succeeded. I was also set on attracting businesses who were excited by a sprinkle of unconventional thinking and had the confidence to take risks. Looking back over the last twenty years, many of our clients are worldwide names. We were never going to be a cookie-cutter agency. We were going to lead with intelligence and passion and the commitment to never stop testing measurement models to get closer to proof of ROI.
Q: What are the three most important lessons you learned as an entrepreneur?
A:
- The force of a team that ‘clicks’ is really unstoppable.
- Don’t take no for an answer.
- Go with your gut.
Q: What has been the most enjoyable part of your entrepreneurial journey?
A: I continue to love building, adding new people to our team, opening new offices and breaking through into new industries. Having the ability to pilot bold ideas and work on interesting campaigns and projects has been extremely fulfilling and I absolutely cannot believe it’s been 20 years. I love leading a team and learning from them, sharing challenges and lots of laughs along the way.
Q: What is something you wish someone would have told you, 20 years ago?
A: I wish someone had told me to never second guess myself and to practice what I preach to clients. It’s only taken me twenty years to bolster up courage to start self-promoting myself and my company. Maybe it’s because something was always missing until now? Who knows but for what it’s worth, I really do feel like it’s our moment to shine and things are certainly looking up for ELEVATOR. I’m grateful, and thankful to all of our supporters.