Steady Studio

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a small business owner / operator of SOS My Space, offering home organizing services, which also includes energetic space clearing and move management. I've been in business since 2017.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Steady Studio, and what were your goals?

After having been in business since January 2017, I felt it was time to explore a brand refresh and build up a brand new website. I approached Steady Studio to help create a new look for the company which reflects our evolution and to attract our ideal clients. With this brand refresh came new assets such as business cards, rack cards and Thank You cards.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I met with Steady Studio and one other web & graphic designer. Both proposals came in at comparable price points and I ultimately chose Steady because I felt so at ease with them. With them, I felt heard and understood. Their warm and creative personalities, and breadth of experience won me over.

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

Steady Studio started with a brand discovery meeting. In detail, they sought to learn about my company's background, who our ideal clients are, how we want to "show up" in the world. Next came the mood board, typography selection process and presentation of wireframe mockups. They were incredibly open to all of my feedback and worked hard to bring my vision to life. The final deliverables included a brand guideline booklet, new website, social media brand assets, print assets and email signatures.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Both Ryan Lawrie and Rachael Lambert worked with me on this project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Steady Studio built me a website that attracts my ideal clients and filters out the ones I wouldn't necessarily want to work with! I don't know how they did this, but they did! I am on track to double my revenue this year as a result of the magnetic power of the brand. I've had a a lot of people comment on the website and ask to be introduced to Steady Studio.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Our initial meeting was in person and subsequent meetings were held over Zoom. Steady Studio uses Basecamp to hold all correspondence and share progress updates. This has been a great system for me, as I know there is one place for me to go to retrieve my brand assets.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Ryan & Rachael's life & business partnership wins me over every single time I'm around them. Their quirkiness, creativity, and warm professionalism are what kept us coming back and raving about them.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

The world locked down and my business came to a halt for 2 months AFTER we started the project. Steady Studio was so accommodating and understanding when I had to pause my instalments. As far as I'm concerned, they are heroes.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the general manager of RIGGIT Services. We provide rigging, lighting, and labor services for the live events industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Steady Studio?

We needed help with our logo and branding.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Steady Studio fulfills a variety of our design needs. We typically start each project with a quick discussion about the project. They then outline the steps they need to take to complete the task within our budget. Afterward, they present their proposal for us to approve. Once everything is finalized, the Steady Studio team starts the actual creation process.

The first thing they worked on was our logo. Eventually, the Steady Studio team designed various branding materials for us. They continue to help with our branding needs. Whenever we need any changes with our look, we immediately go to the team.

Recently, the Steady Studio team helped us revamp our site. We had some downtime during the COVID-19 pandemic, so we reviewed our mission, vision, and values. Afterward, we decided we needed a new, fresh look and feel. They then proceeded to redesign our site. We provided the copy while the design team produced some graphics and images to go with it. Furthermore, we also decided to start selling safety gear, so they added e-commerce functionality to the site.

What is the team composition?

I work with Ryan (Founder & Creative Director) and Rachael (Director).

How did you come to work with Steady Studio?

They were already working with our company when I got here. We’ve been working with Ryan before he even founded Steady Studio.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent more than $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2000, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Ever since we started working with Steady Studio, we’ve had nothing but positive feedback on our look. We’ve also had great success with e-commerce, and they’ve been a crucial part of that achievement. Overall, Steady Studio is an excellent partner who has our best interests at heart, and we appreciate that.

How did Steady Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very responsive. We usually communicate through phone calls and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’ve developed a certain level of trust during our time together. The Steady Studio team is also very communicative and transparent — we never have to chase them for information. In fact, they have to chase us sometimes. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could be more proactive.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give them all the information they need.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner and founder of a general contracting firm that does residential renovations and commercial tenant improvements.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Steady Studio?

My partner and I decided that our branding didn’t have any validity. We wanted to brand in the proper way.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Steady Studio helped us establish our new brand. They were incredibly thorough; we sat down three times to go over our mood board and coloring. The team also did an interview with me to understand me and who I’m trying to market to.

As far as deliverables go, they do branding for our website, apparel, sales vehicle, and textured business cards.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Ryan (Founder) and Rachel (Partner).

How did you come to work with Steady Studio?

I met Ryan at a BNI (Business Network International) meeting that he was the president for. He always stood out in terms of character and values. Once we actually sat down, I learned that he was a really good, quality person.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $8,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2019, and our work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We recently started handing out pamphlets and flyers when we’re doing apartment renovations. Just today, we had someone sprint back to us and tell us that we had some of the nicest business cards they’ve ever seen. Those business cards are definitely a point of pride for us. We have a wood grain on one side and a soft satin touch on the other; as soon as people touch them, they’re blown away by it.

How did Steady Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

They communicate well. I’m always trying to surround myself with people that are real, honest people. Ryan and Rachel both fit that profile, and they’re fantastic.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their combination of who they are as individuals, quality of work, and how much they actually care about the client’s results really stand out.

Are there any areas they could improve?

People take might take advantage of them every once in a while, from people that recognize that they do care. They’re willing to go the extra mile more than once to make sure that clients are happy. I hope that they can recognize when people are taking advantage of them and tell them to “bugger off” when appropriate.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a sustainable subscription box company. We send quarterly boxes to our members to help them with their plastic impact.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Steady Studio?

We needed someone to create business cards and marketing collateral.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Steady Studio first helped me get the brand onto paper. We were struggling to bring our vision to life because designing wasn’t our specialty. To remedy that, the team suggested that we go through mood boards with her. We had a few calls to discuss what the company meant, our vision, and our values. The Steady Studio team then took that and created four different mood boards with a variety of color schemes, feelings, and vibes. Together, we narrowed it down to one cohesive design by mixing and matching certain elements and color codes. A designer also created fonts and applied them to our Mailchimp, Squarespace, Canva, and all the platforms we use to make a cohesive style.

Afterward, the Steady Studio proceeded to create marketing collateral according to the aesthetic we finalized. They’ve designed business cards, postcards, and so on and uploaded them to Canva to give us the freedom to adjust them for other platforms such as Instagram. Additionally, they’ve given us the original files of the designs.

Eventually, we decided to have the Steady Studio team design our website because it was very different from our collaterals. They applied the colors and fonts in our collateral to make them feel similar. However, we ultimately decided to have the team completely revamp the site, which is now finished. They continue to help us with marketing collateral and other design efforts.

What is the team composition?

I only communicate directly with Rachel (Director). I’ve also worked with another teammate, but I only have one point of contact.

How did you come to work with Steady Studio?

A friend of mine was one of their customers. I reached out to five firms, but Rachel was the most approachable of them all. The pricing was also competitive, which was essential to me because I was just starting.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent less than $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in March 2021, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Since Steady Studio worked on our site, we’ve seen people spend more time on it, and more people explore past the website page, too. Overall, there’s been a doubling in session length and a 40% increase in traffic. We’re also beyond thrilled that we’ve been able to keep our brand consistent throughout. Overall, the value they’ve provided has been infinitely valuable.

How did Steady Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

The team is very accommodating. For example, I requested to use Google Drive and Google Photos to share files because that’s what I was comfortable with. They’re just open to whatever worked for me. We also use Canva, and they send proofs to me through Adobe links. Overall, they’re very flexible in terms of programs and schedules. We’ve built a solid relationship throughout the project. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’ve worked with many large marketing agencies, and Steady Studio really stands out to me. The team has gone above and beyond to understand our vision and values. Additionally, they’ve signed up for our subscription because they want to keep our momentum of getting to know us. We’ve also taken the time to talk about our long-term plans for our business, which is lovely. Rachel’s work inspires me as a small business owner to keep going and keep pushing that branding forward. Our relationship is invaluable to me. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything that they could do differently. It’s been such an incredible experience for me.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Spend time getting to know them and be open about what you like. Just share all the information the Steady Studio team needs, and they’ll produce something amazing out of that.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I run Bloom Business Development, a business coaching company for microbusinesses and a lot of sole proprietorships.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Steady Studio?

I realized I had some new things I wanted to do, so I needed help with rebranding.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I first approached Steady Studio with my vision for my brand. For example, I wanted it to be gender-neutral and casual while still being elegant and sophisticated. We then had brainstorm sessions where they would create mood boards. From there, they’ve designed a lot of branding materials that have a lot of white space and personality for my website. The design team also gave me comprehensive brand guidelines, which I could give to other vendors I work with. Furthermore, they also hop in on projects with other firms to make sure they adhere to my branding. 

Recently, they updated my testimonial page and are now designing new elements for my home page. Additionally, the Steady Studio team has helped me design workbooks and planners for my clients. 

What is the team composition?

I worked with Ryan (Founder & Creative Director), my main point person, and Rachael (Director), who created all the designs.

How did you come to work with Steady Studio?

I met them through a networking event, and we were really compatible in terms of personality. We quickly connected, so I trusted them off the bat. I also saw some of the work they’ve done, and it felt like the right decision.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2019, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

They did such a thorough job and nailed it. The Steady Studio team has been able to bring a simple elegance that captures people’s attention when they land on my site. I have clients who’ve been blown away by the website and rebranding. They totally captured my identity, and I’ve gotten a lot of good feedback. Overall, their work has given me a lot of online credibility and authority.

Thanks to their help, I’ve started a workshop, for which they designed a workbook. I’ve done that several times, and it has turned into a passive income stream. Their work has been a gateway to scaling and growing. Steady Studio has exceeded my expectations. I’ve almost doubled my revenue due to their work — they’ve completely changed my business. 

How did Steady Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

They were just fantastic to work with. We primarily use Basecamp to manage the project, but we also communicate through email. Communication and quality are very important to them. Deadlines are very clear, and they’ve been very accessible. I also always have access to my branding assets within Basecamp. The team has taken the time to get to know me, and they even did a deep dive into the intentions of my work. The whole process has been enjoyable, and we were able to collaborate well. I love everything they’ve done for me, and I appreciate that they’ve taken care of me.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Steady Studio is an introspective, creative team. We’ve had a great partnership — they’ve made me feel heard and comfortable throughout the process. I also appreciate that I can present my vision, and they honor it while also improving upon it. In the past, I worked with designers who didn’t stick true to my instruction. Steady Studios takes what I want but stays true to their creativity — they bring everything to an even higher level.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Look at the project as an investment and not a cost.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director, STEM Youth Outreach of Get SET UVic STEM Outreach (Science Venture)

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are UVic's STEM Outreach organisation. Our mission is to break down barriers in the fields of STEM. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Steady Studio to accomplish?

• Develop a cohesive new brand identity for Get SET, formerly UVic Science Venture, that reflected its expanded STEM outreach mission while providing a flexible visual system for consistent communication across print, digital, and promotional materials.

SOLUTION

How did you find Steady Studio?

Referral

Why did you select Steady Studio over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Steady Studio were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Science Venture completed a rebranding project and was searching for a logo to go with the new name. 

The Scope of work had 4 Phases

1. Project Discovery
2. Mood Boards
3. Logo Development and Delivery
4. Brand Documentation

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Because the organization is completing its final season as Science Venture, measurable outcomes are still forthcoming. The project delivered an approved visual identity system and brand guidelines to support a successful launch of Get SET next season.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Steady Studio did an excellent job guiding us through the process of developing a new logo for our rebranding project. They walked us through their work and explained rational behind decisions. They listened to our feedback and were patient with us as we asked questions and wanted to see alternative versions of assets that were not displayed. 
I was very pleased with their project management and especially with the way they work with and respond to us as clients. 

What was your primary form of communication with Steady Studio?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The way they connected and responded to our feedback. They were able to interpret our layman's terms and bring the concept into a tangible reality that was impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Steady Studio could have done differently?

none

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I'm a department lead at UVic Engineering and Computer Science

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

UVic Engineering and Computer Science

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Steady Studio to accomplish?

• Create an Impact Report

SOLUTION

How did you find Steady Studio?

Online Search

Why did you select Steady Studio over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit

How many teammates from Steady Studio were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Creating a print edition and a website of our 2024-2025 Impact Report.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Having our first Impact Report to showcase our work.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The team understood our needs and delivered on time.

What was your primary form of communication with Steady Studio?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Ryan and Rachael have fantastic design sensibilities, but are also really easy to work with. They took vague direction from us and turned it into something much better than we could have imagined.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Steady Studio could have done differently?

No.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the General Manager of ITL Testing Labs ltd

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Construction Materials Testing

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Steady Studio to accomplish?

• Logo Refresh
• Parent Integration
• Merch

SOLUTION

How did you find Steady Studio?

• Online Search
• Referral

Why did you select Steady Studio over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Steady Studio were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Logo refresh with integration of parent company

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Movement and results in the right direction

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Our input was always well-received. Communication was very clear which set proper expectations for the next step in the project. Always thorough and invested in the task

What was your primary form of communication with Steady Studio?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Warm, face to face, small business, very welcoming atmosphere. Great people to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Steady Studio could have done differently?

Honestly nothing comes to mind.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Co-Owner of Outlanders VFX

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Visual Effects

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Steady Studio to accomplish?

• Build a Website
• Create a logo for our company
• Create our visual identity

SOLUTION

How did you find Steady Studio?

Online Search

Why did you select Steady Studio over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Steady Studio were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Creating the logo of our company, business cards, a 1 sheet document with all the projects we worked on and a website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

One meeting per week with clear deadlines

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They always delivered on time, and if they were not able to meet they communicated extremely well over email to let us know in advance.

What was your primary form of communication with Steady Studio?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The culture and how friendly they were, also how much detail they put into things. They always went above and beyond to accomplish any request we had.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Steady Studio could have done differently?

Not really! Great experience

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the President of DC Benefits

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Employee benefits

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Steady Studio to accomplish?

• Brand
• Logo
• Website

SOLUTION

How did you find Steady Studio?

• Referral

Why did you select Steady Studio over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

What was the size of Steady Studio’s team?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Steady Studio helped us create a brand, logo and website

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• They had the timeline carefully planned out

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

they did a fantastic job, delivered everything we asked and were quick to respond to our needs.

What was your primary form of communication with Steady Studio?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The culture and friendliness of the owners

Are there any areas for improvement or something Steady Studio could have done differently?

No complaints here!