Well, we can all say with gusto that it’s been one hell of a week. It feels like the new normal changes every five to ten minutes. Amidst the uncertainty of the present, we’ve been finding new opportunities to sink into ourselves and connect with the people we love the most.

The truth is that chaos is always kind of constant, it’s just setting a new bar for itself today. We admire chaos’ ambition. We all will need to find that fire in ourselves to keep the peace even when things feel like they’re falling apart. Cue our latest guest, Sophie Collins, who is a professional peacekeeper amongst many other things. A saleswoman by day at Slack, an entrepreneur and lifestyle blogger by night with her latest venture One Wednesday co-founded with Joni Lind, and a full-time mom, Sophie knows a thing or two about finding self and sanity in the eye of a storm.

Sophie sits down with us to chat balance, organic sleep remedies (unfortunately we’re all out of prescriptions), and the truth about women’s health. And of course, a little COVID is peppered into there too.

One of the blessings in the current global crisis is the time we’re taking now to do the things we never found time for; calling our grandparents, talking that long walk in the forest (if that’s your jam), reading the book that’s been sitting on your shelf for the past year, and of course, drifting into a fresh landscape of podcasts. Oh, and wine. We’re still enjoying wine.

We hope you take a moment tonight to listen and sink into your one, rad self.

- R+A

Let’s talk digital literacy. As a social media agency, we’re often misunderstood by a generation that didn’t grow up with an iPhone in their Jolly Jumper. This is no one’s fault, in fact, we envy that earnest isolation from the evolving world of continuous data. Digital platforms and advertising streams are as varied and dynamic as the internet itself and it’s our responsibility as a creative agency to educate our clients and our audience on what kind of content works and on which platforms it’s designed to perform.

Disclaimer: Neither we, nor the platforms, are perfect. Instagram is now infamous for changing its algorithm as often as Billie Eilish refreshes her highlights. The wild west of social media keeps us on our toes. But like anything, with a little more information on your side, you can find yourself with a deeper understanding of the machines that drive us (to shop, to engage, to connect, to obsess).

Enter episode 7, our take on the different streams of digital marketing, the changing algorithm, “pay to play” and why it’s not cool to be “liked” anymore in 2020 is available below.

And madder than ever.

It occurred to us one day over our daily cigars and whiskey (just kidding), that we might very well be the modern-day Mad Women. We use advertising as our arsenal and creative chaos as our fuel to tell other brand’s authentic stories every day, and we’ve begun to rapidly recognize the great power and freedom of sharing the chapters of our own.  We’re taking our collective voice and extra dry sense of humour to the airwaves as we dig into topics that are relevant to women, entrepreneurs, and dreamers alike. If you’re mad about something; your career, your breakup, your cat Jolene, or just life in general, our podcast is for you. 

Our first episode in 2020 under our new stage name is all about rebirth in 2020. The best way to begin a new decade is by looking back at the past one fondly, with a scalpel. We dig into the new beginnings and past mistakes that shaped who we were in our twenties, and chart the course for a more powerful, vocal, honest, and provocative decade ahead in life and work.  

Best enjoyed with a glass of wine or a stiff drink.

Yes, we are aware it’s been a piping hot minute since our last podcast. But I guess that’s the thing about running a business - things get busy and clients come first (obviously). Anyway, we’re coming back with vengeance and have recorded our fifth episode on the thrilling topic of our R + A origin story. In this episode, we’re talking our separate journeys through life that led us to starting a business and the characteristics we needed in order to take this scary plunge.

THANKS FOR LISTENING! <3

When our friend + client David approached us about speaking on our podcast, we were both excited and mildly terrified. David is a razor sharp intellect whose day job entails designing buildings for Shape Architecture, a local firm and R+A client. His nighttime hobby is hosting wine tasting events with his brother and wine enthusiast community, a hobby we can seriously get behind (and so should you).

We knew that any discussion with David would be deep and full of twists and vocabulary we’d have to Google later. David did not disappoint. Take a listen as we dive into the ways in which digital space and physical space collide in 2019 (think Instagrammable restaurants and more), as well as the pleasures and the pit falls of just being in this digital age for our generation and the one that follows.

Sincerely,

R+A

We captured Sean Panton once more from his busy schedule and encouraged him to sit down with us to discuss his story, how he maintains a level head, the role energy has played in building Vitruvi, what it’s been like to lead a team of women.

We debunk the “fake it till you make it“ myth and have a transparent discussion around the role social media plays when hiring team members and in our own personal lives. Essential takeaways:

• Women have the gift of seeing around corners that men can miss

• Don’t worry, there’s still a big place for men too

• There are a lot of family businesses out there, but it takes respect to make this one work

• Your energy affects those around you, personally and professionally. Try to channel presidential energy (the Obama kind) in your next meeting

• Mentorship is important across generations but you need to go get one, don’t wait for one to come to you.

• We need multiple mentors to fulfill different roles in our journey

• Sean still likes wine

Until next time,

H+S

The age-old quest to find “the one” is discussed in the latest episode of Ardor Hour. We dive deep into the things we looked for in our own personal experience when partnering up and some of the challenges we face and overcome with one another.

Take a listen as we dig into a few key factors we recommend considering before tying the corporate knot.

If you feel that the transition from 2018 to 2019 was similar to sipping water from a fire hydrant, this blog post may be for you. In a small business, a lifetime is lived in 12 months. From signing new clients to building out our team, to losing contracts, pride, and time to operational necessities, the landscape for a start-up is layered and always challenging.

 At the dawn of a new year we think it’s important to sift through the rubble of last year’s tax return and mine for gold. These are the hard-earned lessons we’re taking with us into 2019. These beacons give us a little light to lead to the way.

1.   What seems like a really big deal in January is forgotten by March.

2.   What seems like a really big deal on Monday is forgotten by Friday.

3.  You are as strong and as polished as the most junior member of your team. Any mistake that’s made on the ground floor of your company affects the skyline. You’ll need to own that.

4.  Doordash is not an office expense.

5.  Laughter is still the only antidote to an irrational situation professionally or personally. Anger is so cheap, in fact it’s free.

6. Getting lost in the pushing and striving and climbing is the natural state of the entrepreneur. Getting lost in travel, a wellness week, or a meditation class is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. 

7.  Empathy is still a necessary element in the boardroom.

8.  Work trips are great. Especially if they involve 3 bottles of Pinot Noir in a Holiday Inn hot tub in Kelowna. These are the fertile grounds from which new business ideas are born.

9.  Mentorship is as important as we thought it was. We need more safe spaces to connect and feel less alone. We need help from one another to succeed. It may be true that no man is an island, and no woman is an island with a spa.  

10. The 3 B’s of business; bravery, boundaries, and bookkeeping.

Keep trekking pioneers.

- S+H