UpHouse

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the outreach program coordinator and administrative coordinator at Survivor's Hope Crisis Center, a nonprofit organization. We service and support people in the Interlake region of Manitoba, Canada, who have been impacted by sexualized violence. Our work includes crisis counseling, prevention work, and workshops in schools about consent and healthy relationships. We also provide festival support.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with UpHouse?

Our federal funding was cut, and we were close to not being able to offer our free counseling services. That funding also supported our executive director position, which is a huge part of what we do. As a result, we were looking for grants and other funding sources. We needed to get our name out there again so we could get funding and donations.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

UpHouse provided PR services. The team created commercials and the Save Sarah campaign. They also connected us to news outlets. UpHouse helped us create press packages and wording. The team created pictures and posters. They also created radio ads.

What is the team composition?

We had a general meeting with five people and were in constant contact with three different people from UpHouse.

How did you come to work with UpHouse?

We met with other companies, but we chose UpHouse because they understood us. They were local and knew what a nonprofit organization needed. The team was very respectful and trauma-informed. UpHouse was able to work within our budget, unlike other companies. We found them through a Google search.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $30,000 CAD.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from May 2023–February 2024.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We had a huge campaign. UpHouse gave us posters that said, “Help Save Sarah” with a QR code. We posted them in 20 towns. People now know us as “Your Sarah.” We have had that recognition, and people remember seeing the campaign.

UpHouse helped us get on the news and prepped our executive director on how to talk on the news and what to expect. We saw a huge uptick in social media followers. We had 500 followers when we started, and we now have 1,200 followers.

How did UpHouse perform from a project management standpoint?

UpHouse stayed within the budget. The team was very conscientious. They were open and transparent and communicated with us if changes had to be made. We met biweekly and communicated through email. We also met with them in person a handful of times.

What did you find most impressive about them?

UpHouse understood what our message was.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Come in with a vision and a list of how you want things to be done.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am a manager at StreetSide Developments

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Multi-Family Real Estate Development in the Winnipeg area.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire UpHouse to accomplish?

• Brand Story
• Brand Design

SOLUTION

How did you find UpHouse?

Referral

Why did you select UpHouse over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from UpHouse were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

We were in the early planning stages of a high-profile condominium development and knew we needed a compelling brand story, name, and visual identity to match the vision and scale of the project. Having collaborated with the UpHouse team on several initiatives in the past, we had full confidence in their ability to guide us through this critical branding process.

From the outset, Brenlee, Emily, and the entire team brought a thoughtful and strategic approach. They took the time to fully understand our goals, target audience, and the unique qualities of the project. Through a collaborative brainstorming process, they presented a range of creative and well-researched name options—one of which resonated strongly and became the foundation of the brand.

In addition to naming, UpHouse delivered a beautiful logo and a cohesive colour palette that brought the brand to life. Their attention to detail and clear vision extended into real-world applications, giving us the tools to confidently launch and market the development with a strong and unified identity.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

One of the key measurable outcomes from our branding work with UpHouse was the successful development of a compelling brand identity that has positioned our upcoming condominium project for a strong market debut. The name, logo, and visual direction they created have already been integrated into our “Coming Soon” marketing efforts, including a dedicated project page on our website and teaser materials across our channels.

Since launching the brand teaser online, we’ve seen strong early engagement, including an increase in website traffic and early interest from prospective buyers who are signing up to stay informed. The brand has also resonated internally—with our sales team and stakeholders aligned on the vision and equipped with a consistent story to share.

While we haven’t yet launched into the pre-sale phase, we feel confident that the foundational branding will support a successful campaign when the time comes. The materials provided by UpHouse have given us the tools to build anticipation and set the tone for what we believe will be a highly sought-after community.

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

Throughout our collaboration with UpHouse, their project management approach was organized, proactive, and highly responsive. Despite our own busy schedules and the many projects we’re managing internally, their team made the process seamless by consistently following up, clearly communicating next steps, and scheduling meetings well in advance to accommodate our availability.

They remained accessible throughout the engagement and were quick to respond to any questions or feedback. Most importantly, they delivered all creative assets on or ahead of schedule—without any delays. Their ability to keep the project on track and maintain momentum was incredibly valuable and made the entire experience smooth and efficient from start to finish.

What was your primary form of communication with UpHouse?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

What stands out most to us about UpHouse is their deep connection to the local Winnipeg market, which aligns perfectly with our values and the communities we serve through our real estate developments. Partnering with a local agency who understands the nuances of our city and its diverse neighbourhoods adds an extra layer of authenticity to the work.

Beyond that, their collaborative approach makes them feel like a true extension of our team. They’re not just delivering a service—they’re immersed in the process with us, listening, strategizing, and creating in a way that feels genuinely aligned with our vision. Their ability to craft meaningful, story-driven brands is unmatched. They don’t just design—they bring brands to life in a way that resonates emotionally and strategically with the target audience.

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

One area we always value in the creative process is having a few design concept options to consider. We fully understand the time and thought that goes into developing a brand, and appreciate the focus that comes with honing in on a strong direction. That said, our team finds it helpful and inspiring to see multiple creative interpretations early on, as it allows us to explore different angles and ensure we’re landing on the best possible fit. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive director of Campus Manitoba, a nonprofit organization in higher education. We work to support online learning, open educational resources, and career planning within the Manitoba public post-secondary system.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with UpHouse?

We needed support with our marketing efforts.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

UpHouse has provided Campus Manitoba with branding, graphic design, and content marketing services. The team has done a lot of creative design for us, including digital campaigns and marketing tactics. We’ve worked with them on a rebranding project for our brand and sub-brands, including Campus Manitoba, e-courses, Open, and Set Your Course. UpHouse has also created content for our social media posts.

We always start with a creative brief and kickoff, letting them know our goals. Depending on the campaign, the team has given us a brand guide and mock-ups of ways to bring our brand to life. UpHouse has created a digital content calendar for a year and social media posts, which we approve before the team post them on our social sites.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with graphic designers, digital marketers, a content team, and an account executive.

How did you come to work with UpHouse?

I’ve known them through work and the industry. I knew them when they opened their business and worked with them beforehand, so I knew what they were bringing to the table. I had great respect for the owners, Kirsten and Alex, so when they opened their business, it was a no-brainer for me to work with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in September 2018, and our relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve definitely improved our followers on our website, LinkedIn, and social media sites. We've done Google ads with them. The team has helped us with brand recognition and clarity, and we’ve seen the benefits of working with them.

How did UpHouse perform from a project management standpoint?

The team has definitely stayed on budget and met their deadlines for the most part. We use Airtable in-house, but we’ve never used it with them. The team has created templates for the content calendar. We typically communicate via email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I like how human they are. They genuinely care, and they are a diverse organization with unique perspectives.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I appreciate what they bring to the table. I know they’re a busy company and have a lot going on, but that’s a good thing for them. They’re great to work with.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’d say UpHouse can be leveraged as a supplemental marketing agency. We started working with them because we didn’t have the capacity in-house. The team provides capacity to do your marketing that you don’t necessarily have in-house, and they meet you where you’re at. It’s nice to have someone who understands your organization.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an executive at The Dream Factory

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

The Dream Factory is a charitable organization that creates unforgettable experiences for children battling life-threatening illnesses and supports families throughout their child's medical journey.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire UpHouse to accomplish?

• Establish a new brand story for The Dream Factory
• Create a new visual identity for The Dream Factory

SOLUTION

How did you find UpHouse?

Referral

Why did you select UpHouse over others?

• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from UpHouse were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

UpHouse provided a full brand story refresh for The Dream Factory to help communicate our expanded mandate and reintroduce the organization to our community after 40 years of service. In the process of developing this new brand story, it became clear that a new visual identity was also required and UpHouse led that transformation as well.

Deliverables included:

• A new brand story for The Dream Factory alongside relevant market research
• A new logo and brand identity for The Dream Factory
• A suite of new branded products (stationary, business cards, presentation folders, etc.)

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The largest measurable outcome was that we were able to completely rebrand the organization and deliver our messaging in a cleaner, more consistent way. The brand refresh was received extremely positvely and continues to reposition the organization in a new way with our community.

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

Yes - UpHouse was diligent with the project schedule. If anything, we were the ones who slowed the process as a result of generating buy-in and collecting feedback from staff, board, etc.

What was your primary form of communication with UpHouse?

Virtual Meeting

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

The depth at which UpHouse strove to understand our values and culture was the most impressive aspect of the process. When they first presented the new proposed brand story, we were floored at how much it sounded like us and reflected the type of organization that we want to be.

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

I think there could have been a greater degree of post-project follow-up.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the executive director of a non-profit organization. We promote the inclusion and quality of life for Manitobans with intellectual disabilities by fostering partnerships among communities, governments, families, and support agencies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with UpHouse?

We needed help with a public awareness campaign to raise awareness about accessibility legislation in Manitoba.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

UpHouse consulted with people with lived experience and worked with them as actors in the video. The team completed all aspects of the project, from scripts and sets to the full execution of the video. They also provided us with branding information for social media.

Deliverables:

- Video capturing some areas of the accessibility legislation and their impact on Manitobans with disabilities. Video will include captioning and ASL interpretation.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 3–5 teammates from UpHouse.

How did you come to work with UpHouse?

I was very impressed with UpHouse's Locked Out of Life campaign. David (Executive Director, Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba) shared their contact information. We chose UpHouse because they were committed to contributing positively to social issues and understood our values and aims.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from January–June 2023.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We won the Provincial Accessibility Award in 2024. We also won a Gold Shorty Impact Award and a Bronze Anthem for local community engagement. It brought attention to our organization and work, as both are international awards. We received much continued support and increased presence.

The 2018 Independent Report on the Effectiveness of the Implementation of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act recommended introducing accessibility awards as an incentive program for business and organizations to encourage their compliance of the act.

Acting on these recommendations, the Manitoba Accessibility Office began to research effective ways to use awards to promote accessibility. Today the awards raise awareness to the efforts and achievements Manitoba businesses and organizations have made to become more accessible to all.

How did UpHouse perform from a project management standpoint?

UpHouse's project management was excellent. They were thorough, organized, excited about the project, committed, and professional at every turn, delivering on time and responding well to our needs. We primarily communicated via online meetings and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their values and genuine enthusiasm for being involved in social change were impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing I can come up with.