Randy Milanovic, CEO

In 2011, I founded Kayak Marketing based on the awareness that clients are much more successful (and happier) when collaborating with their marketing agencies. We opened our doors with a focus and mission to do it "with" you instead of "for" you.

In doing so, we stopped acting as a vendor and became a partner...Collaborating and growing together...Empowering and learning together...Seeking outcomes over checking off tasks...and achieving 600% growth on average for our clients.

Hungry for details? Please read on.

In 2010, I survived stage 4 cancer and gained a new perspective.

Mid-recovery, on the way to pick up a pair of kayaks from Canadian Tire with my sister, I rode quietly.

I was thinking about what we'd done as a business over the past decade. My team and I had delivered successful creative...identities, brochures, and websites, and even won awards. We got the good work done – which paid the bills – but there was something missing. Sitting in my sister's vehicle, I came to the realization that had I died, I would have left nothing. Sure my team would go on to other jobs, and my clients to other agencies. But, it would have been as if we – and by 'we', I mean me – had never existed.

I was embarrassed to admit - even to myself - that we had literally done it for the money. When clients declared that they wanted 'that' colour, font, or campaign...we gave it to them. I'm sure they considered it customer service. But in reality, it was a disservice. Because all we really did was make them happy at the moment. We failed to help them or their business in any meaningful way. We didn't help them grow as people, be financially stable, or help them give back to the community. We just sold them stuff. Worse, it was pretty much the same thing our peers and competitors did. I was determined to change that.

Working with hundreds of organizations over the years, my team and I had gained incredible experience and knowledge. We were in a position to stop taking orders and start providing leadership. Within us, was the power to help our clients grow in ways that would have a much broader impact on not only them, but their companies, their customers, and their communities as well. Empowerment could – and would – become our guiding principle.

And what that, Kayak Marketing was born.

Our aim is to help others grow. The way we do that is to incorporate strategy, coaching, and collaboration into our services. If this approach sounds appealing to you, you are not alone. Since launching Kayak, we've worked with upwards of 600 organizations, published several books, were nominated for Small Business of the Year 2013 (landing at finalist, aka second place), and have collected a solid showing of 5-star Google reviews.

About those kayaks.

As a kid, I paddled endless lakes and streams in the British Columbia interior. Paddling provided a place of peace, and physical exercise, and kindled my love for nature. Throughout my recovery post-cancer, I'd been walking around my community pond. Not one for the gym, I'd been searching for enjoyable ways to regain my strength. Taking others kayaking with me seemed the perfect fit.

PS - Main photo credit to Vince Fowler, Craigery Denis, and Paul Trieu.