Rather than the obvious profile bio and credential list, we cornered Sandy Gerber, NEXT’s Founder and Marketing Strategist and got the juicy marketing gossip about NEXT and her NEXT Certified Program:
Q. What is NEXT?
Gerber:
NEXT is the most amazing place to work. It is an authentic full service marketing and design agency that creates, delivers and manages incredible marketing results for our clients.
Q. How did NEXT come to be?
Gerber:
Just like most things in life, it evolved. I have taken all the great learning and experiences in my past and piggybacked/leapfrogged to the next challenge. I was asked for years when I was going to create my own agency and in 2005 I took the plunge. Being an optimist and an energetic individual, I have always loved new challenges, opportunities and seeking what is possible, what is NEXT – the agency name just made sense not only for me but also for our clients. We tell them what to do NEXT to promote their business.
Q. How are you different from all the other agencies out there?
Gerber: Bottom line, we are transparent, process oriented and we have an amazing NEXT Certified team of the best in the industry. Many agencies hide freelancers’ identities to the client, which compromises the client/agency relationship and also regrettably, never gives the freelancer the credit they deserve for their work!
Q. How did you start in the industry?
Gerber: Microsoft Powerpoint. Seriously! I worked in the finance industry (unbelievable when you know me!) and would spend long evenings designing marketing materials in Powerpoint, by choice! I loved designing marketing on the computer. Knowing of an impending layoff and hating dealing with other people’s money all day, I told the biggest mouth in the company I was miserable and two weeks later, I enrolled in a Computer Graphics program with my severance cheque. I found my passion for creative design and programming and started in the real world with Molson Canada creating a website for beer fans! Talk about a fit for me!
I continued to educate myself in marketing, web and project management and filling my need to be “in the trenches” of an agency rather than the client, I became Director of Operations for Grey Interactive in Toronto. This role was wonderfully exciting and fulfilling enabling me to mentor marketing, manage production and foster communication and process in the organization. No one can forget “Sandy’s Monday Morning Huddles”! Looking for more adventure, I landed in BC in a chat about marketing and eCommerce with the President of British Columbia Lottery Corp and made the cocktail napkin sketch a reality two years later by launching PlayNow (online gaming). All the combined experiences as the client and as the agency have contributed to my success and knowledge. I am truly blessed for all I have experienced and learned.
Q. What do you do when you are not working?
Gerber: I have a love affair with two people (my son and my daughter). Anytime I can spend playing with them, the better. My kids really help me to be a better person, to remember how an experience can feel like new again and to develop my creativity. When I need some Sandy time, I am usually painting, reading, writing, walking my crazy dog, Modem (she really is wired!) and spending time with my friends and family. I always look for new experiences that make me grow as a person, give back to others in need, mentor young entrepreneurs and appreciate all I have in my life.
Q. What are you most proud of in your career successes?
Gerber: I am most proud of creating and evolving NEXT , the “NEXT Certified” Team program and the associated NEXT STEP Philanthropy program. It has been a journey of persistence, creativity and courage.
Q. What annoys you about your industry?
Gerber:
Empty promises. I know what it is like to be the client and the agency and really get annoyed by the lack of integrity some suppliers have today. You know the people who don’t stand by their word and treat clients like they are merely an entry in their bank account or people who give a timeline to deliver and they move it or MISS it!
Q. What is your personal mission?
Gerber:
My personal mission is to inspire communication to deliver impact. I am driven to attract success in all facets of my life by participating in amazing moments, being grateful for the amazing people I know and relishing my life experiences.
Q. Do you work with clients outside of Vancouver?
Gerber:
Of course, many of our clients are from our hometown (Toronto) and some are international and we have never met them in person. We are typically referred to new clients and when they are looking for a solid agency, geography just never is an issue.
Q. Is it true you have received awards for being one of Canada’s Top Mompreneurs?
Gerber:
*smile* Yes, it is an amazing honour and a true highlight to my career.
In 2009 I was a finalist in the SavvyMom Canada’s 2009 Mompreneur of the Year, with people all over Canada voting for me to win the award. I had people in Newfoundland supporting my initiatives in my business, one of them being the NEXT STEP program, which revenue of our business was donated to hands on development in a third world country. In 2009, I went to Nicaragua with Bridges to Community to build a house for a family with my bare hands, it was amazing! In 2010 I was awarded the Women of Worth Mompreneur of the Year Award among 700 business women in the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. I was absolutely delighted to receive an award for the two most amazing jobs I adore – being a mom and an entrepreneur.
