This summer I was welcomed by the team at Rock & Bloom as a design intern. Fresh out of school as a Graphic Communications grad, this was the most amazing experience I could have asked for.
Since this was my first gig in the design world, I didn’t have many expectations at the start. My main hope was to learn more about my craft, but Rock & Bloom totally exceeded that.
Always sharing, always learning
The entire crew was so open, always sharing what they know and making me feel right at home. They’re always ready to help you out with any questions you have, and they genuinely want you to grasp the reason behind the ‘why’ in terms of how we do things. They’re also really on the ball, aiming for top-notch quality in every project while staying on track.
Work-life balance for the win
Making sure I’m prioritizing a good work-life balance was new to me. I’ve never had coworkers who genuinely care more about their people than about the next job on the list. The team at Rock & Bloom always has your back and are always wanting to help you out. Their consistent support and flexibility creates such a supportive environment.
A place to be who you are
In addition to excelling in their roles, every member of the Rock & Bloom team are genuinely wonderful individuals. I found myself laughing harder at our numerous Slack channels than I ever thought possible, whether it’s the high-stress debates over where to have lunch or the impeccable GIF responses.
The team that plays together, stays together
Another awesome aspect of Rock & Bloom is their homecoming week. Homecoming week is an entire week packed with good food, good times, and yeah, a bit of work too. Every employee (even the remote ones in Toronto and Vancouver) gather in-office to play games and bond as a team. It got pretty heated with a competitive Jeopardy game and multiple rounds of ‘Heads Up’ that somehow morphed into a full-blown sing-along. I can’t express how fun it was to work with these people.
I wouldn’t have changed anything about my time here at Rock & Bloom. I learned so much from an amazing group of people.
I’ve gone on record stating that if I didn’t have my dream job working for Rock & Bloom, I would venture into the world of professional organizing. And I’m not the only one. For as many bakers and artists our team bears, we have just as many organizational wizards. Maybe one day we’ll launch our own version of The Home Edit, but in the meantime I’m here to pass on a few pearls of home organizational wisdom.
Label everything
And I mean everything. Items in the pantry? Label ‘em. Fridge? Label ‘em. Bathroom, laundry room, closets? Label ‘em. Labeling serves two purposes. Firstly, it keeps things in a designated spot, allowing you to locate things with ease. Instead of just throwing things in a cupboard willy nilly, you’ll be more purposeful about where you place your items. Secondly, labeling looks clean, uniform, and just darn pretty.
Say goodbye to boxes and packaging
Unnecessary boxes and packaging are one of the biggest thieves of usable cupboard space. This is especially noticeable in the kitchen. Storing cereal and pasta in clear containers will help you get the most out of your space, while also allowing you to see when you’re getting low on something. After all, nothing’s more aggravating than grabbing a box of crackers to find that it’s just crumbs at the bottom.
Save time with clear containers
For items that you’re storing – things like Christmas decorations, seasonal items, winter clothing, etc. I recommend using clear storage containers. This allows you to stack containers in your closet or garage, and see what’s in them without having to take down and dig through each one. It’s not the prettiest organization solution, but it’s a huge timesaver.
Use small containers to keep drawers tidy
It’s very easy for a drawer to lose its purpose and quickly become a “junk drawer”. But let me tell you from experience that even junk drawers can be organized. If you’re on a budget, places like Dollarama or The Dollar Tree carry great little containers and trays that will work perfectly. Start by cleaning everything out of the drawer you’re organizing, throwing away anything that’s expired, and donating or selling anything that never gets used. Once you have a clean drawer you can start putting the containers in where you want them. Try to keep each container as its own zone. For example, in our bathroom drawer I have one container for toothbrushes and toothpaste, one for combs and brushes, one for eye care supplies, and one for deodorant. Everything has a place and it keeps the drawer from looking like a stressful mess.
Maximize fridge space
Maximize your fridge space with, you guessed it, containers. Labelled containers look nice, but more importantly I’ve found that they increase the use of fridge space. Like a lot of people, my toxic trait is buying a bunch of groceries and then having to throw them out weeks later, because half of my items got pushed to the back of the fridge and I couldn’t see them. Not only do containers help you keep things in zones (dairy, fruits, veggies, snacks, leftovers, etc), but they also allow you to use the full length of your fridge, easily pulling out the containers to see what’s at the back. No more moldy spring mix!
Use turntables for spices
My partner likes to cook and thus we have an alarming amount of spices. I hated opening the cupboard and knocking over half opened bags of oregano, as I rummage to find the popcorn seasoning. Enter the turntable. I started by pouring all of my spices into matching glass containers, labelling them (of course), and then situating them face out on a turntable that I picked up from Dollarama (if you can find this , it’s a great cost-effective dupe to the Home Edit one). Now I can find any spice faster than you can say “you spin me right round, baby, right round”.
Store tall boots with pool noodles
Whether you’re dealing with a walk-in closet situation or a tiny front hall cubby, storing your shoes is often a game of Tetris. One of my biggest annoyances is trying to store tall boots; the slides flop over, creating creases and also taking up more space than needed. A quick little trick is to grab a pool noodle and cut it into pieces (keep them a bit shorter than the length of the boot) and then put inside the boot to hold it up! Don’t have a pool noodle handy? I used sheets of square construction paper, rolled them, and taped them to my desired width. Easy peasy!
Organize your sock drawer with cubes
This one is for those who can’t stand to open their top dresser drawer and see a mix of mismatched socks, underwear, and probably a few pieces of lint and loose change. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way. I purchased a couple of sock storage cubes on Amazon and it has given me so much more space in my drawer! I started by getting rid of any socks or underwear with holes or rips, and any socks that didn’t have a sole mate (see what I did there?). Next, I rolled all of my socks and underwear and put them in the cubes (for thin socks, I would put two pairs in each). And that’s it!
“How many people can brag about having a perfectly organized sock drawer?”
Roll towels and face cloths
Organization is all about maximizing the amount of space you have. This is especially true if you live in a small house or apartment and don’t have a lot of storage or cupboard space. Storing towels can be particularly tricky as they are bulky and take up a lot of room. I’ve found that folding towels in half lengthwise and then rolling them has been the most effective way to store them. I have very narrow open shelves, and this way I’m able to fit them on the shelf and stack them in a way that looks visually appealing. I do the same thing with my face cloths; rolling them and then storing in a decorative basket.
DIY a rolling wrapping paper cart
If you love gift-giving, or perhaps just want to make holidays less stressful, then a wrapping paper cart is a must. I used one of those three-tiered rolling carts (found at Michaels, Canadian Tire, etc.) and designated each tier a different purpose. The bottom stores gift bags, the middle stores gift tags, cards, and bows, and the top is where I store my scissors, tape, markers, and tissue paper. Lastly I zip tied a small, narrow bin to the bottom side of the cart, and then glued a paper towel rod to the top. This keeps my wrapping paper in place and the rod doubles as a place to hang spools of ribbon. Now simply roll the cart to wherever you do your gift wrapping. Voila!
Maybe you love organizing; or maybe you hate it, but your new year’s resolution was to finally get your home in order. Either way, I hope these simple tips will help you get started!
To show you how we practice our core values, both internally and externally, we’re breaking each one down into a lovely little journal for your reading pleasure.
Last but certainly not least, this is how we ‘Aspire’ each and every day.
Share your thoughts, share the burden, share a gif.
Aspire
Keep learning. Mistakes are not a failure, just a correction. So be bad until you’re good, and good until you’re great.
Aspire
Our favourite mantra around here is: “Be bad until you’re good, and good until you’re great.” We love it so much we’ve had it etched into the cover of our company notebooks. The simple definition of aspire means “to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal”. At Rock & Bloom, it goes beyond that. It’s about creating goals, yes, but it’s also about taking risks (hey, that’s another one of our core values!), failing, learning from said failure, iterating, and coming back stronger and better.
One common thread amongst our team (besides that we have some pretty intense opinions about food) is that we all love learning. This is one of the most talented and skilled teams I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and yet, not a single person believes they’ve mastered their skill or is better than anyone else. There is always something to learn and that shared enthusiasm for growth makes us more aligned as a team.
BHAG: Big Hairy Audacious Goals
We adore a big hairy audacious goal, or BHAG. In fact, the bigger, hairier, and more audacious the better. We live and work by a growth mindset – yeah, yeah, I know you’ve heard this buzzword a thousand times, but for us it simply means we don’t like to get too comfortable or too cocky.
In other words we’ve accepted the fact that we won’t always be perfect, and we see that imperfection as a learning opportunity. Once you’ve accepted that you’re allowed to make mistakes, it’s easier to step out of your comfort zone and aim high. Like ridiculously high. You might not stick the landing every time, but you’ll always achieve more than if you had stuck with what you knew you could safely do.
Our ability to set BHAGs is the reason our portfolio looks like it does – stuffed to the brim with everything from small, start-up businesses to Silicon Valley tech giants to Agriculture industry shakers to your favourite local mom and pop shop. You name it, we’ve done it. And we can’t wait to set our sights on more.
Go big or go home
I know I sound like a broken record, but Rock & Bloom’s Ultimate Brand Course & Workshop – a four-day immersive workshop that helps entrepreneurs dive into their brand – is just that good. And none of it would have happened if our fearless leaders hadn’t aspired to do better; to offer more to the world.
These workshops are the epitome of bold aspirations. When it felt like it couldn’t be done, we pushed harder, and guess what, it worked. Now our leaders get the opportunity to work directly with businesses in a small and intimate setting and help them really move the needle for their brand.
We still love to make pretty, shiny things that you can’t take your eyes off of, but this kind of work is fulfilling in a different way. We’re empowering other business owners to go big – to aspire.
Can we do that?
Our Slack conversations are packed full of “Can we do thats”. No, I don’t mean doubting our ability to do something. It’s more about getting everyone on board with an elaborate or out-there idea.
Fancy chocolatier website? Can we do that? Let’s pitch ‘em.
Create our own branded events? Can we do that? Design’s already got a logo and Content has come up with 10 witty taglines.
Build and brand a secondary microsite for quirky holiday cards, offering both nice and not-so-nice options? Can we do that? Consider it done. Literally.
Some may call us naive, but our ability to believe that we can truly do anything has led us down some interesting paths. It’s how we got Sweet & Sour – our holiday card microsite with both nice and naughty options for your mailing delight. It’s also how we’ve landed clients that should have been a long shot, and launched a game-changing workshop in record time.
Here’s to even bigger, hairier, and more audacious goals!
To show you how we practice our core values, both internally and externally, we’re breaking each one down into a lovely little journal for your reading pleasure.
Share your thoughts, share the burden, share a gif.
Aspire
Keep learning. Mistakes are not a failure, just a correction. So be bad until you’re good, and good until you’re great.
Share
It’s as simple as Kindergarten day one: Sharing is caring. We love to share, both literally and figuratively. We share pizza and silly gifs, but we also share our troubles, our challenges, our wins and our losses.
Share your thoughts
We love sharing so much that we’ve centered an entire meeting around it. Each month the entire team joins for our ‘share session’ – an hour-long discussion led by our leaders that touches on everything from important company updates to equally important debates about what the best type of french fry is (It’s crinkle FYI).
During these sessions we look at ongoing and upcoming projects and even review top-level company finances. Everything is out in the open and questions and comments are always encouraged. Sometimes we even dabble in team-building exercises, which usually brings out our playfully competitive side.
Share the burden
The whole point of sharing is knowing that you’re not alone. When one of us is struggling, we want to know about it so that those who have the capacity to help can lend a hand, and those who don’t can simply listen and learn.
As much as we love sharing our wins, we’re not afraid to share our challenges as well. When we tackle the problem as a team, the problem doesn’t stand a chance.
Share a gif
Rock & Bloom’s preferred communication channel is Slack, and boy do we make it worth our while. Slack is our wild west – where conversations go from “Hey, have you watched this documentary on the world’s creepiest cults” to “What type of socks are most appropriate for everyday wear” in two seconds flat.
Food polls are our love language, sarcastic gifs are our actual language, and we share unpopular opinion rants like we’re being paid by the letter.
For us Slack is so much more than a simple means to communicate; it’s a way to connect on a deeper level, learn new things about each other, and develop severe FOMO when you’re away from the chat, even while on holiday.
Share your spark
At Rock & Bloom, we believe in sharing who we are. We want to know what makes you tick, what grinds your gears, and what your favourite pizza topping is.
And speaking of pizza, our favourite thing to share is food. Whether we’re lovingly crafting homemade donuts and cookies to bring into the office, giving a review of the new restaurant that just opened up down the street, or planning out the nitty gritty menu details of the Rock & Bloom Christmas party, we will find any excuse to put the spotlight on food.
We are so grateful to have a diverse group of individuals that make up our team, and that are willing to share those unique parts of themselves with us. When Mona gifted the team with prayer beads and openly answered our questions about EID, or when Paige took over our social media channels to teach us all about Chinese New Year – those are the moments that shine a light on who we truly are.
To show you how we practice our core values, both internally and externally, we’re breaking each one down into a lovely little journal for your reading pleasure.
Share your thoughts, share the burden, share a gif.
Aspire
Keep learning. Mistakes are not a failure, just a correction. So be bad until you’re good, and good until you’re great.
Be Open & Honest
We see vulnerability as a strength, and empathy as a superpower. We don’t just welcome openness and honesty – we encourage it. In our work, our day-to-day interactions, and everything in between we strive to be who we are, warts and all.
Check-in, don’t check out
At Rock & Bloom, we love a good check-in. Between recurring one-on-ones with our managers, weekly team retros before we plan for the week ahead, and project retros after a project has wrapped, we like to make sure that all voices are heard loud and clear.
Of course, we don’t need to wait for a meeting to speak up about a challenge or potential blocker. Whether personal or professional, our team is open to listening at all times. Sometimes that means voicing a concern over Slack, or taking some time to sit down with one of our team leaders if we’re feeling unfulfilled. No matter the topic, everyone is open and everyone is encouraged to lead with honesty – even when it’s hard.
Recharge your batteries
In 2022, Rock & Bloom introduced the iconic ‘Recharge Day’. The second Friday of every month our office is closed so that our team can rest, relax, and recharge. It’s an extra day a month to say sayonara to responsibility, and do something soul-filling that’s good for our mental health.
The purpose of implementing Recharge Day was to promote work-life balance and put our company values into practice. We know that we do better work when we are refueled & recharged.
After nearly a year of monthly recharge days, we can safely say that they have been a game-changer for our team. But photos speak louder than words…
Mental health before all else
This one sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how rare it is to find a workplace that puts their money where their mouth is when it comes to mental health support.
At Rock & Bloom, mental health is prioritized in the same way as physical health. And that goes for everyone, including our leaders. We are not limited to a certain number of sick days or mental health days, instead we are trusted to take the time when we need it and come back as the healthiest versions of ourselves.
Whether it’s time away from work or a little extra support from our teammates, sharing is not always easy. It takes guts to lay out the most delicate parts of yourself for the world to see. But it’s a heck of a lot easier when you’re surrounded by a team of people that listen with an open mind and share with an honest heart.
Behind every business is a person
We practice our values both internally and externally. That means these values extend to our brand, our work, and our clients.
It’s important to remember that our clients are not just a Google Listing or a logo, but real people trying to make their dream a reality. When we sit down with potential clients we always share our values with them to ensure they know what’s important to us, and what we expect from them in return.
When our clients lead with openness and honesty, it allows us to do our jobs that much better. Together, we build a partnership that’s healthy and propelled by unlimited potential.
To show you how we practice our core values, both internally and externally, we’re breaking each one down into a lovely little journal for your reading pleasure.
Share your thoughts, share the burden, share a gif.
Aspire
Keep learning. Mistakes are not a failure, just a correction. So be bad until you’re good, and good until you’re great.
Take Risks
Big or small, taking risks is a part of who we are! This means taking creative risks in our work, trying new things, and working with clients who share our values.
Creative risks
We’ve carefully curated our dream team of uber-talented individuals. This allows us to feel confident when making bold design choices or thinking outside of the strategic box. Whatever the project, we don’t like to get too comfortable.
Sure, we’ve made mistakes, but that’s how we learn what works and what’s better left on the cutting room floor. Creative risks help us grow so that we can continue to bloom beautifully. Plus, the work speaks for itself.
Setting boundaries
Our clients aren’t just clients – they are deep and meaningful partnerships. We collaborate on an intimate level, forging ideas and pushing the limits of what is possible.
At Rock & Bloom, we don’t just work with anybody. We work with businesses that share our vision, as well as respect, trust, and listen to us as people. We’re lucky we get to be choosy – it allows us to put people before profits and ensures that everything we create is a true representation of our best work.
New beginnings
Like Forrest Gump’s mama says, “You never know what you’re gonna get.” Sometimes risks don’t pay off, and other times it’s magic.
In 2022 we launched our Ultimate Brand Course & Workshop – a four-day immersive workshop that helps highly-motivated owners, leaders, entrepreneurs, and directors dive into their business and really get to know their brand.
It was a risk. And this time it’s magic.
Shaking things up and adding a new revenue stream is not an easy task. It’s essentially another business alongside our studio work with clients. These workshops are the result of a lot of sweat, swearing, and tears, but it was a risk our fearless leaders just had to take.
“The foundation of Rock & Bloom and why we exist is not just to make pretty things, like beautiful designs or nice websites; it’s to actually help affect change in a client’s business. if we can affect change and help them reach that next level, distribute to a new market, launch a new product – that’s what gets us out of bed in the morning.”
– Heather Adams, Co-Founder and CEO.
Here’s to taking bigger, bolder, and more badass risks!
“Company values (also called corporate values or core values) are the set of guiding principles and fundamental beliefs that help a group of people function together as a team and work toward a common business goal.
These values are often related to business relationships, customer relationships, and company growth” (Hotjar).
Whether you’ve got ’em scribbled into the pages of your notebook or displayed loud and proud on your office walls – core values are the driving force that unites your team and motivates everyone to do and be a little better each day.
We don’t wanna brag but, at Rock & Bloom, we’ve pretty much got our core values down to a science. We live and breathe our core values in everything that we do, including the clients we work with and the people we’ve chosen to be a part of our team.
Share your thoughts, share the burden, share a gif.
Aspire
Keep learning. Mistakes are not a failure, just a correction. So be bad until you’re good, and good until you’re great.
To show you how we practice our core values, both internally and externally, we’re breaking each one down into a lovely little journal for your reading pleasure. Let’s start with ‘Make a difference’.
Make a difference
For us, making a difference can be as big as changing the lives of small business owners or as tiny as supporting local restaurants when we eat out. Big or small, each of these acts make a difference in our community.
Clients come first
Whether it’s helping them expand, add a new product line, or navigate a crazy business challenge like COVID-19, making a difference for our clients is what gets us the most excited.
Our partnerships with our clients are rooted in empathy and understanding. We listen with intent and have developed a process that is collaborative, while also utilizing individual strengths.
At the end of the day, we want to empower our clients so that they can grow, evolve, and continue doing what they do best!
Volunteering
One of our favourite ways to make a difference is by giving back to a community that has given us so, so much. And there is no shortage of ways to get involved!
We hope to volunteer even more of our time in 2023!
Shopping & supporting local
Whether we’re getting swag made for our team or sending flowers to clients – we love to shop local. Supporting our local economy and spreading love to all of our favourite Saskatoon-based businesses is a huge component of our core values.
Even when we’re “out of office”, we put local first. From team lunches at our favourite Riversdale and Broadway eats to group trips to the Remai Modern, our city has so many wonderful places to support.
Workshops
In 2022 we launched our Ultimate Brand Course & Workshop – a four-day immersive workshop that helps highly-motivated owners, leaders, entrepreneurs, and directors dive into their business and really get to know their brand.
The feedback we have received from our community has been nothing short of freaking incredible.
“It was amazing that in 4 sessions, it felt like we had created such a supportive community. I felt 100% comfortable to share with these amazing business owners and it was such a pleasure to hear about their businesses. Can’t say enough positive things about the overall experience!”
– Trish Regier, Realtor, Saskatoon, SK
“This isn’t just about business branding… it gets you to think about all of the elements that contribute to the overall projection and perception of your brand. Knowing these key factors not only strengthens your brand, but gives your brand solid roots with deeper meaning and understanding.”
– Tobi Graham, Classic Law Inc., Saskatoon, SK
“I needed to revisit and rethink from a different perspective and it has been wonderful. I love hearing what other people are doing in their businesses – it sometimes will spark something in myself and our business. I’ve enjoyed the conversations and I’ve taken a million notes that I will go back and look at for many years to come.”
– Joanne Morris, Twig & Bloom, Saskatoon, SK
Here’s to continuing to make a difference in 2023!
I’ve been working at Rock & Bloom for nearly a year now, and I still vividly remember my first week, when I learned of “pouts & tendies.” (For the record, that’s ‘pouts’ like ‘poots’, not ‘pouts’ like ‘sad face’).
We were all in the office together playing some Jackbox games and ‘pouts & tendies’ was dropped multiple times. Now, I consider myself as close to “down with the kids” as a 30-something woman can get. While I might not TikTok, I think Twitter keeps me up to date with most of the goings-on in the world, and yet, I still didn’t know what pouts & tendies were. Being the new person, I found the courage in myself to ask, what exactly is pouts & tendies? And the answer was simple. Poutine & chicken tenders – a beloved dish at Rock & Bloom (that is best eaten at Park Cafe, but be warned you might need asiesta after a lunch that heavy). This was my first exposure to what I can only describe as the “food wars” culture within our team.
We are a group of very passionate individuals.
Whether it be related to our specific roles or our clients, we get down to business. And the same can be said about our opinions on food. I can’t count the number of times that I’ve been in a meeting and come out to see the #random Slack channel on fire. 80+ messages. The panic sets in. What did I miss? And then once I’ve scrolled back far enough, I realize that someone mentioned that they had the best shawarma of their life over the weekend. Calamity ensues. And by the end of it, I have a list of new restaurants and dishes I need to try.
So you may be asking, what’s your point?
Rock & Bloom loves food and can argue about it – a lot – big deal? I for one cherish these moments. In the year that I’ve been working here, we’ve still largely been working remotely (thanks, Covid) and yet, not a moment has passed where I haven’t felt like part of the team or connected to my colleagues. While these food discussions might seem mundane, they are a huge part of what makes Rock & Bloom such an amazing place to work. Sometimes those Slack discussions can sidetrack your day by 15 or 20 minutes, but they’re such a joy when they happen because of the connectedness it fosters. It makes working remotely seem far less remote.
From our Instagram brackets about the worst Christmas chocolate to our heated discussions about rotisserie chicken on homemade pizza, Rock & Bloom at its core is a group of unique individuals who are filled to the brim with passion.
I saw a headline on Twitter that was to the effect of, “Is having fun at work really a good idea?”
It made me laugh because I don’t know when the disconnect happened. How having fun at work could possibly be a bad thing? There are certainly companies out there who think good office culture is having beers on Fridays and a ping pong table in the office, and I can tell you from experience that that is not enough. Our food opinions might be quirky, but it encompasses the culture that we try to foster.
At my last role, I had bought into the mindset of climbing the corporate ladder – and I wanted to be on top. But over time, I realized that my goals and values had shifted and that they no longer aligned with where I was working. I came to terms with the fact that I was really good at my job, but I didn’t really enjoy it. When I interviewed at Rock & Bloom, we got talking about the future and I was asked where I saw myself in five years. I said, “Had you asked me last year, I would have said partner at an agency. But I realize now that where I want to be is doing kick-ass work with kick-ass people. That’s it.” And here I am, not even a year later, and that is exactly what I’m doing.
The team at Rock & Bloom is small but mighty.
We bring the same level of passion to ‘pouts & tendies’ as we do to our client work. Rock & Bloom puts people first, and when you do that the result is magical – and I consider myself so lucky to be a part of that magic.
Like the first tiny, green buds on our trees after a long and frigid winter, the City of Saskatoon truly comes alive during the summer months – and it’s beautiful.
The community is bustling, the patios are in full swing, and the ice cream dripping down the side of your hand is oh so sweet.
Come along as we wander through the classic summer must-dos, the new experiences, the better-with-friends outings, and the make-you-feel-like-a-kid-again activities.
Here’s your Saskatoon Summer Bucket List: 2022 Edition.
Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the adored summertime festival. What better way to kick off the summer than with eight straight days of music and fun. Check out the schedule and snag your tickets early!
Picnic in the park
Nothing is cuter than a picnic in the park – and Saskatoon’s got 200 of ’em to choose from. Grab your checkered blanket and head to Boffins Gardens at Innovation Place. A picturesque setting, home to a large pond and plenty of flowers.
Prefer something a little fancier? Try out Boho Picnic YXE for an unforgettable picnic experience. These instagram-worthy setups are perfect for a special occasion or surprise party.
Make a summer playlist
Your summertime antics would not be complete without an upbeat playlist to serve as your soundtrack. Take some time to curate the perfect sound yourself, or start a collaborative playlist with your work colleagues or best friends. Everyone chooses 5 songs that remind them of summer – a fun way to get some new tunes.
Go on a coffee crawl
This has been on my list for a long time, but this is the year I’m finally making it happen. Organize a coffee crawl, by yourself or with friends, and experience all of the amazing local cafes that make our city special. Choose a handful of cafes you’d like to try – old favourites, classic hangs, and exciting new spots – and visit them all! Map out your route starting at one end of the city and making your way across, stopping at all of your chosen spots. This is your opportunity to try as many different menu items as possible, or get the same thing at every place and compare the quality.
Go camping
We’re lucky to be surrounded by a plethora of lakes and campsites. Pick your favourite and spend a weekend under the stars. Tenting is my preferred choice of camping, but if you don’t like roughing it, a cabin can still provide that rustic outdoor experience – with running water.
Don’t want to go too far? Camping still counts even if it’s in your own backyard.
Relax with a lazy river float
Take advantage of our beautiful South Saskatchewan River with a lazy river float. Drifting down the river while soaking up the sunshine is the perfect way to relax and recharge. If you’re more of an adventurer at heart, try paddle boarding or kayaking.
Volunteer your time
Research volunteer opportunities in your area. Choose something that aligns with your values and that you would find soul-filling. For example, if you love animals the Saskatoon Dog Rescue is always looking for more volunteers. And what better way to spend your time than helping our furry friends find their forever home.
Not an animal person? No problem. Humans need our support too. Try volunteering at Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan and help families that need it most.
Ditch the city for a Manitou Beach/Watrous day trip
If you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway, this is the perfect choice. Manitou Beach is only a short hour and a half drive away, but feels like another world. Swim in the healing mineral lake, visit the quirky vintage shops, stroll through the Little Manitou Art Gallery (and if you’re lucky catch a musical performance by a local artist), stop by the Video Stop – Watrous’ infamous movie rental store (it’s like if Blockbuster still existed, but way better), and finally, finish off the trip with a movie at the drive-in. Popcorn mandatory.
Take your pup swimming
Every year at the end of the summer, before they drain the water, Mayfair Pool hosts a year-end dog swim. It’s exactly what it sounds like and so much more. Watch all the dogs jumping in the water excitedly and having the time of their lives (except my dog, who ran away immediately and spent the entire time on the grass as far away from the pool as possible). Your dog will love it (or hate it) but either way it’s worth it for the chance to see a corgi in a lifejacket.
Go on a roadside attraction tour
Saskatchewan is home to many roadside attractions (world’s largest paper clip anyone?!). Grab a coffee, get the tunes ready, and take a roadtrip to nowhere. As you drive, stop by any roadside attraction you come across and snap a pic for your memories. If you’re really into roadside attractions like I am, you can pick up “Larger Than Life”, a guide to Saskatchewan’s big roadside monuments. My personal fave is the angry combine near Biggar.
Try something new
Maybe some things on this list intimidate you. Or make you feel anxious. Or are things you would never think about doing in this lifetime. But summer is a time of new possibilities. So try something you haven’t done before. The best things happen when we step outside of our comfort zone.
Check out the full bucket list below and download it for yourself!
Trying out a new, delicious recipe. Snacking on Purdy’s chocolate hedgehogs while getting lost in an audio book. Applying henna and allowing your hands to be free to absorb the natural dye. Tackling an outdoor DIY project. Participating in an all-day gaming marathon. Working out and indulging in an at-home manicure. Exploring the hidden gems in your city. Spending quality time with loved ones. Snuggling your partner, your kids, your dog.
For most of us, a Friday morning looks nothing like this. But for the team at Rock & Bloom, where every second Friday is Recharge Day, this is our reality.
Rock & Bloom welcomes Recharge Day
Recharge Day, you ask? Never heard of it. Neither had I until our dynamite duo (aka the people who run the biz) introduced it as part of our company’s core values. It goes something like this…
Every second Friday our office is closed so that our team can rest, relax, and recharge. It’s an extra day a month to say sayonara to responsibility, and do something soul-filling that’s good for our mental health.
The purpose of implementing Recharge Days is to promote work-life balance and put our company values into practice. We know that we do better work when we are refueled & recharged.
The proof is in the pudding
With burnout rates at an all-time high, the concept of a recharge day feels refreshing and proactive. COVID-19 has changed the landscape in which businesses operate and it’s clear that employee well-being is becoming top priority for many organizations.
While support for recharge days, mental health time, or the four-day work week gains momentum, there is still opposition to overcome. Some believe that working less hours equals getting less work done and, in turn, bringing in less profit. However, the evidence says otherwise.
A Microsoft subsidiary in Japan trialed a 4-day workweek in 2019 and reported that productivity increased by nearly 40 per cent compared to the year prior. A New Zealand firm, Perpetual Guardian, found that employees’ time spent on non-work websites decreased by 35 per cent when working hours were cut by 20 per cent.
That’s not all. According to Forbes, from a financial perspective, research indicates that moving to a four-day workweek can reduce overhead and other costs to businesses. Employees not only take fewer sick days but are generally more productive.
What recharging looks like
Recharge Days offer our team time to spend alone, run errands, get caught up on housework, rest, have fun, or do something that sparks creativity. Our team has been loving the extra days off and making the most of it. Take a look at some of our Recharge Day highlights!
“Recharge Day means an actual commitment to mental health. It feels so good to not only have your employer believe in you as an employee, but fully care about your well-being. It’s a freeing and empowering feeling.” – Matt Horning, UX Strategist & Developer
“I often find that I make everyone else’s care, except my own, a priority. Recharge day is a day just for me. It’s a day where I can reflect on myself and my needs. By taking care of myself I know I’ll be a better co-worker, friend, and mom. Recharge day helps keep me accountable to refilling my tank. It’s magical. – Valerie Baier, Senior Designer
“An ability to slow down and push pause on life. I love that we have created an environment where we can all focus on what’s important to us. What fills our cup. A no guilt, no pressure day just for me.” – Heather, Co-Founder & CEO
“Recharge Day for me is a bonus day where I get to decide what I want to do. Oftentimes, as a parent, my weekends are filled with kid and family things and I often don’t get to recharge myself. It’s nice to save up my appointments for that day so I’m not stressed having to fit them in during the week/weekends or if I’m really burnt out it’s a time for me to do absolutely nothing without feeling like I should be doing something.” – Molly Lux, Account Manager
“It speaks to the culture and values that permeate throughout everything that is Rock & Bloom. It’s a day to recharge, spend outdoors, with family or friends, accomplishing day–to-day tasks, appointments, etc. It means being more efficient with time and feeling like you are not counting seconds or minutes in the work day.” – Larissa Katsiris, Sales & Marketing Strategist
“Recharge Day is the day I get to recharge my batteries, put aside work and life distractions, and focus on what makes me happy. It’s the day where I can sleep in – guilt-free – and wake up without an alarm clock. It’s the day that reconnects me with myself, my family, and my friends. It’s a day dedicated to doing what I love, not to things that don’t matter.” – Jill Leclerc, Designer
“Recharge Day for me has been a day of slow reflection and a day of gratitude. When it was announced in our monthly share session it made me feel seen and heard. I felt like I worked for a company where it wasn’t just the bottom line that mattered. I, we, as employees, mattered. Our mental, physical and emotional health mattered.” – Mona, Project Coordinator
Creating your own Recharge Day
Interested in implementing your own Recharge Day? Here are a couple of things to consider.
1. Communicate
With your team, your clients, your customers, your followers and fans. Get the word out loud and clear about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Transparency is key to making a big change and will help to ensure the transition is successful.
2. Be Flexible
Connect and check in with your team to get feedback about what’s working and what’s not. The goal is for employees to feel less stressed, so if there is friction it should be identified and addressed right away. Be prepared to shift and pivot as needed to create what works for your team.
3. Work together
This is an opportunity to work together as a team to be as efficient as possible. Remember that you’re not alone. Lean on your team mates, ask for what you need, communicate your concerns, and most importantly, share in each other’s joy as you work to become stronger and more collaborative.
It is said that the greatest asset of any company is its people. So take care of your people, let them recharge, and watch what happens when that goodness trickles back into the work that they do.
When you visit a website or look at a brand, what is the first thing you notice?
Is it the colours? The logo? The icons and animations? Maybe it’s the font or the layout of the page? Whatever your answer, it likely has something to do with the work of a designer.
Design is, without a doubt, one of the most crucial parts of creating a brand. Did you know that it only takes 0.05 seconds for a person to form an opinion about your website? First impressions are truly make or break. Luckily, good design can set you up for long-term success.
Good design builds recognition, credibility, and trust. It forms lasting connections and tells a brand’s story in a compelling and authentic way. How do you guarantee good design? Well, it starts with hiring the right designers.
Jill Leclerc makes up one-third of Rock & Bloom’s superhuman design team. She eats veggies like they’re candy and is a master of gardening, which is probably why she can take an itty bitty seed of an idea and grow it into a beautiful and functional brand, all while making it look easy.
Here are some of Jill Leclerc’s top design tips:
1. Collaborate
Everyday at Rock & Bloom the design team takes part in a design standup, where they share what they’re currently working on. Leclerc says the daily standup is a beneficial way to naturally get feedback from other designers.
“We’re constantly sending each other our design work and getting each other’s opinions and suggestions,” says Leclerc. “We’ve been collaborating a lot more and it’s really impacted our work in a positive way.”
Leclerc notes that this is also where she finds her inspiration – speaking with other designers and creatives.
“I often ask ‘How would you approach this?’ or ‘What style would you go with?’ or ‘Do you think that this is too modern or too old school?’ I think the more eyes, and the more you can collaborate on a project, creates the best result.”
2. Research, research, research
“Honestly, I do a ton of research,” shares Leclerc of her personal process. “I find if I do a lot of research myself, that inspiration comes naturally because I have a really good grasp of the concept. I can just start iterating, and then not stop – it just keeps snowballing.”
One of Leclerc’s goals is to expand her research even further, and to find ways to be more inclusive in her designs.
“We do cool websites for all kinds of people and when it comes to people who are less represented than they should be, as a designer you want to make sure that they’re being represented in the right way. In the way that they want to be.”
3. Get out of your comfort zone
Leclerc says that the most challenging part of her job is doing things that are out of her comfort zone. They are also (usually) the most rewarding.
“I wasn’t trained in school for web design, so doing a website for the first time, when you’re less comfortable with the program and web design rules, is definitely the most challenging because you don’t know what you don’t know, and you don’t know what you’re supposed to know,” says Leclerc. “It kind of humbles you. You have to be okay with making mistakes and understanding that it’s okay not to be the best because you’re new to this. Does it mean you suck? No, It just means you’ve got to learn and make mistakes, and then you won’t make them the next time.”
4. Perfect is the enemy of good
One of my favourite quotes of all time goes something like this: “A work of art is never finished. It is merely abandoned.” This applies to creative works of all kinds. Striving for perfection is pointless, because even if you’re happy with the end result, you might look back at it a month later and hate everything about it. Such is the curse of the creative.
Leclerc notes that at some point she has to know when to walk away from a design, because it will never truly feel like it’s done.
5. Be open-minded
“This is the one I reiterate all the time, but the best thing I learned in school is to be open-minded,” says Leclerc. “Don’t stay attached to your designs because you’re not designing for yourself. So stay open-minded, show your work to other people, get their feedback, and really absorb what they’re saying.” In other words, being adaptable and flexible as a designer leads to the best outcomes.
6. Mind the Dos and Don’ts
Not all websites are created equal. Here’s a quick breakdown of Leclerc’s website design dos and don’ts.
Do:
Be consistent
Create a user-path that involves the least amount of clicks
Make important information easily accessible
Keep pages scannable
Use high-quality, original photography where possible
Have fun with it! Hidden Easter eggs and quirky 404 pages are simple things that can really elevate a website
Don’t:
Mix too many fonts
Have low contrast text
Settle for default illustrator colours
Use a really stark colour palette
Use different stroke weights on graphics incidentally
Try to do everything. Make design choices intentionally.
Design work involves a lot of things that the average person might not think to look for when they visit a website, but the overall experience matters greatly.
“People can go to a website and say, ‘Oh, that looks bad,’ but might not be able to pinpoint why it’s bad,” says Leclerc. “And usually it’s a combination of fonts or weights or brushstrokes or colors. There’s all of these different things that go into creating a good design that the average person isn’t thinking about, but would notice if it were off.”
Looking ahead
Brands are constantly growing, and since the onset of COVID-19, they’ve had to adapt at a quicker rate than usual.
“People can’t get away with not having a website anymore or not having a social media presence,” says Leclerc. “And some people had a really hard time before COVID, understanding how important that was. Anyone who was a little bit skeptical regarding the effectiveness of a website, now believes in having an online presence.”
Moving forward Leclerc thinks that brands will try to humanize themselves more and focus on building stronger relationships with customers.
“It seems like designs are becoming more human, less corporate. I find more brands want to connect with people in a personal way rather than a corporate way. The world is becoming less suits to work, more pajama pants while working from home at your computer.”
As for Leclerc, she’s very content in her pajama pants, but much like the gardener she is, also excited to grow. “I’m only starting out in my career. And I know that, if in the future, my goals or my dreams change, Rock & Bloom is willing to adapt with me. They have the flexibility and want to see everyone grow. I know that it’s never going to be, “That’s not your lane. Stay there. Just stay small.’ It’s more like, ‘Where do you want to go and how can we help you get there?’”
A day in the life of a developer can look very different depending on the project.
Whether the day calls for back-end server work, transitioning clients onto a new hosting platform, fixing bugs, or CSS and JavaScript – developers need to remain flexible and adaptable.
“It’s like different languages,” explains Matt Horning, Developer at Rock & Bloom, as well as self-proclaimed R&B Tastemaker.
“You go from coding, where you’re literally speaking a different language in your head, to a creative meeting where you suddenly have to use the other side of your brain.”
It’s challenging work, but it’s the kind of stuff that gets Horning excited about his job.
“I like doing different things and I like being able to stretch or use different muscles. That’s why I prefer to work at a place like Rock & Bloom versus a different company where they focus on their own product. It is enjoyable to have different projects, and those projects require different things. It keeps you on your toes and it keeps you learning.”
Unfortunately, being flexible and adaptable can be a double-edged sword. Developers become so adaptable that they need to be good at managing their own time and their own mental state.
“It’s difficult to go from CSS and styling in the morning to a creative name jam, and then into fixing a bug on your server or into JavaScript in the afternoon. It’s really taxing – the context switching that your brain does, and it becomes a skill to manage that, because it’s so easy to burn out as a developer.”
Luckily Horning has a few things that keep his mental health and productivity in check.
Matt Horning’s 3-step guide to staying sane as a developer:
1. Focus
Try to give yourself as much focus as you can. Block off time and eliminate distractions. At Rock & Bloom we utilize Focus Time twice a week. Focus Time is a 2-hour window that team members block off in their calendars, and no one else can message you on Slack during that time. This allows you uninterrupted, productive work time.
2. Exercise your brain
If you know you have a creative day coming up or there’s tasks that will involve flexing your creative muscle, try to exercise that muscle early on. For Horning, that means listening to music or singing or trying to do something where he’s feeling rather than thinking.
3. Reset
Going from something super technical into something creative? Reset your mind. Something as simple as going for a walk is often enough to reset and help you transition to a different kind of task.
We’re incredibly lucky at Rock & Bloom to have the most diverse trio of developers. Developers who can tap into their right brain when needed, and their left brain when needed. Developers who can speak in code, but also in colours and textures.
“That is why we work here; because we have such an ability to make an impact on every different level,”
“You have such a separation of roles in some places where ‘devs are just devs’, and if it’s code, then they can do it, and if it’s not, then don’t ask them. Those people are fantastic at what they do and they have a great home at other companies, but it would never work here. We’re kind of a bunch of jack-of-all-trades, and we’re a really special group.”
With such a diverse skill set, it’s no surprise that Horning had trouble coming up with a favourite project. However, the first one that came to mind was Sask Jazz.
“It’s not a project that I’ve done a ton of work on,” says Horning, “but I think the creative landscape of that project and the ability we have to really make something that’s physical that people can actually experience is really cool.”
He describes the feeling of going to the festival, being a part of it, seeing your work on posters and lanyards and stage design. Being immersed in something you helped create.
“Those mean the most. Being able to see it; that’s a big part of my drive for a project. I want to do something, but I want something to happen because of it.”
” I don’t want to just put nothingness into the universe. I want there to be some sort of ripple back of enjoyment. I want to be able to create something and then see it and physically experience it.”
The highlight reel doesn’t stop there, though. Horning’s had success with other favourite projects such as creating loading animations for Remai Modern, and adding unique touches to Motif to help highlight their personality. At the end of the day, Horning’s goal is to create something that allows a person to experience something they haven’t before.
It’s this passion that really sets a developer apart from the rest. Horning often gets asked if he fears that Squarespace or Wix is going to steal his job. His answer?
“No. If you need a vehicle, you can go and buy a bicycle. You can buy a car for a thousand dollars that’s going to get you from point A to point B. Or you can go and buy a Mercedes. It’s also going to get you from point A to point B.”
“It doesn’t matter which you buy, it’s the experience that you have while you’re doing it. “
Similarly, if you want to make a website, you can go make a website. You can make a website today in 10 minutes and it’ll probably achieve a lot of the goals that you’re trying to accomplish. But at the same time, it’s not going to have the experience that we can create.”
Experience is crucial for a brand. Not just for your customers, but for your employees as well. Creating an environment where employees can thrive and be the best version of themselves takes a company from good to unstoppable.
Horning is grateful to have found what makes his feet jump out of bed in the morning and his heart feel full at the end of the day. His advice for other developers is to find what makes you tick.
There’s a large push to get jobs in tech because it’s a very safe path and an area of business that is only going to grow. However, as Horning notes, it’s so wide and variable that there is so much opportunity to get lost and to work for people who don’t value what you do or get pushed down a path you’re not going to enjoy.
“Developing is a tough job,” says Horning. “I hope there’s a moment where you’re able to just stop and say, ‘Why do I want to do this? What do I want to get across with this career?’ The money is always going to be there. But where do you make your impact?”
