Straydog Branding began in 2008 when Rob Barnett and his partner Rachelle Hynes saw an opportunity to carve out a niche in the Vancouver market between the low-cost, low frills, design firms and the high-end, high cost design agencies. Barnett and Hynes understand that successful companies and brands are formed from the ground up, by working to develop the core message that reflects the company and brand’s personality, values, mission and vision. Straydog has evolved into a successful independent brand strategy and communication design firm with a focused knowledge in graphic design, branding, marketing and sales strategy.
Barnett will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Inspire event as Small Business BC, where he will be discuss the latest trends in communication and digital marketing strategy.
Q: What is the first website you log onto in the morning?
A: Basecamp – we use it for all our client projects, to help us manage and track each project and to communicate with our clients and employees.
Q: Who is your mentor?
A: A personal friend that I’ve known since childhood. He started his company while still in high school and has built it into one of Canada’s (and BC’s) largest security firms. As a leader in the industry, he manages his business from a very hands on perspective, yet not in a micro-management way. He surrounds himself with good quality people and empowers them to learn, and succeed through his vision, trust and respect.
Q: Which business leader do you most admire and why?
A: Steve Jobs. He does things his way, on his own terms, and is arguably the worlds’ most influential CEO of all time.
Q: What has been the most valuable piece of advice you have been given?
A: Just go out and do it…don`t be afraid to fail. Success is achieved through failure.
Q: If you could go back in time and invent a product or service – what would you create?
A: Something as ubiquitous as the zipper or a paper clip. These things are everywhere and we never stop to think how much something so simple has changed our lives.
Q: If you weren’t in the industry you are in today, what would you be doing?
A: A race car driver. I love the thrill of speed and the competition and adrenaline rush of head to head competition
Q: If you could have a super power, which would you choose?
A: The ability to see into the future.
Q: Who or what inspires you?
A: The desire to learn, and to WOW clients. Anything is possible and we are our own barriers to success and advancement.
Q: What has been your greatest success as an entrepreneur or business leader?
A: Being myself and not trying to be someone else; we all have something unique to offer and we just need to find out what that is.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge as an entrepreneur or business leader?
A: Time….there is never enough time in a day for all the things I want and would like to do, which really stems from the typical entrepreneurial aspect of wearing so many hats at the same time.
