We recently connected with Alyssa Zwonok and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyssa, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My business has been successful due to my innovative approach in consistently striving to break the mold and change the agency culture to one that thrives on empowerment. I want to rewrite the narrative of what an agency should look like, and how it should work while forever empowering my diverse team of freelancers by giving them the freedom to do their best work. I believe that great work comes from passionate people, so as a leader I felt it was important for me to create a workplace environment where projects are met with excitement rather than obligation. My efforts in improving the traditional agency structure start by providing flexible hours and realistic expectations to my team and clients. Having worked 9-5 at agencies earlier in my career, I quickly realized this structure was not for me, and I was not alone. As a creator, I felt unmotivated most days, forced to work excessively long hours on projects that didn’t excite me whatsoever. Overtime was expected and not compensated for and gratitude for a job well done was not common. I was easily burnt out and uninspired and knew there was a better approach to building an agency and leading a team; putting balanced workplace values and sound business practices at the forefront.

Prioritizing people’s mental health and work life balance has always been my #1 priority. Being mindful that rest and doing things we love outside of work is necessary. This has been proven to be more productive than overworking. I practice this myself and encourage my team to do the same.

In the first few years of business, I rigorously searched for, hired and led over 50 freelancers from all over Canada, with different backgrounds and specializations. Diversification is important to me and I ensure to provide every applicant an equal opportunity to be a part of Nomad Cre8tive’s inspiring network. We are equally as welcoming with our clients, coming to us at different stages of their businesses. No business is too big or too small for us. We are happy to customize and adapt deliverables for each client.

Workplace safety may not be applicable in the traditional sense with Nomad Cre8tive, however I am always focused on where my team is working from, ensuring their happiness, health and comfort in their personal workspaces. I encourage them to work outdoors, experience different coworking spaces and to make their home offices feel personal to them, inspiring creativity and work-life balance.

This innovative remote model is also environmentally friendly as it eliminates the need to commute, is completely digital and paperless, resulting in little to no carbon footprint.

Our excellent track record has brought in 39, 5-star Google Reviews, over 40 5-star Facebook Reviews, and over 35 Recommendations on LinkedIn has created trust amongst small local businesses as well as opened doors to larger brands and agencies including DAVIDsTEA, Campbells Canada, RX Bar, CANNA Canada, Logitech G, ALDO, Viral Nation and Elite Digital in our first few years in business.

Since starting Nomad Cre8tive as a side hustle alone in 2018 to hiring my first freelancer in 2019 to building my team to over 50 in 2021, the business has evolved from a boutique branding agency to now a full service marketing agency. The business has double in gross revenue each year since launched, and is on track to do the same this year. Though this achievement grows exceptionally more difficult to achieve, my hope is to build Nomad Cre8tive to a multi-million dollar corporation that positively impacts hundreds of businesses and entrepreneurs per year.

In May 2023, I launched The Mindfulpreneur Podcast, an endeavour close to my heart, where I interview conscious leaders who are carving their own paths in life. The podcast was designed to shine a light on mindful entrepreneurs in the community, while building lasting relationships for my business. A testament to our community-centric philosophy. Over the last 30 days, and only four months since launching, the podcast is reaching over thirty-seven-thousand people on Instagram alone. I look forward to growing this podcast further as a sister company to Nomad Cre8tive.

Alyssa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Nomad Cre8tive is a remote creative agency offering services in marketing, branding, graphic design, and social media. Our mission is to bridge the gap between traditional agencies and freelancers, providing teams of specialized remote creators to businesses locally and globally.

I formally incorporated Nomad Cre8tive in 2020 from a side hustle I started while working as a flight attendant in 2018, to satisfy my intense desire to innovate, create, and work from anywhere. This deviation proved invaluable, as I collected further evidence that I could successfully work from anywhere as a designer, even soaring 30,000ft above the ground. The open skies created space for my idea for Nomad Cre8tive to come forth into life, and while the passengers slept, I laid the groundwork for the business plan that would change how agencies operate for the better.
As a nomadic RCAF Pilot’s wife, and in direct alignment with my values, I created a business to suit my life and not the other way around, empowering others with the same dream.

I strive to provide clients with an agency-like experience, without the overhead costs of a traditional in-house agency. By supporting mission-based brands, and growing with them, my millennial team helps companies make a difference while realizing their goals, across a sea of industries.

We produce excellent creative work for businesses, bringing value to their companies and empowering entrepreneurs by providing them with the tools and collateral they need to launch and seamlessly run their businesses. They believe in me, my team and my business model, and highly value each aspect.

I personally select teams for all our clients based on their diverse industries and our team members’ individual experience. My team is comprised of Canadian freelancers who work on a per project basis. I aim to provide them the freedom to determine when and where they work, and on which projects. This brings an unparalleled passion and drive to every project.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

At Nomad Cre8tive, I firmly believe in cultivating a workplace culture that values equality and collaboration. In our team, everyone, regardless of their position, is not just encouraged but actively invited to share their ideas, perspectives, and innovative solutions. We go beyond traditional job descriptions, allowing team members to play a key role in shaping and evolving their roles based on their unique skillsets and expertise.

Our emphasis is on fostering a collaborative environment where diverse talents come together synergistically. Each team member is not just a contributor but an active participant in the creative process, contributing to the growth and success of Nomad Cre8tive.

As the CEO, my approach is to lead by example. I see myself as a perpetual student, always open to learning from the wealth of knowledge and experience within our team. This commitment to ongoing learning not only strengthens our collective capabilities but also ensures that everyone feels valued for their unique contributions. Ultimately, this collaborative and inclusive approach not only enhances the work environment but also results in innovative solutions and sustained high morale among our team members.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

In the initial stages of founding Nomad Cre8tive, I grappled with the notion that conforming to a particular persona was necessary to command respect, particularly as a young woman entering the business world. This perception was influenced by my observations in previous workplaces, where male dominance seemed to set the tone for business operations. Despite the success of those companies, I often found their approach to be more rigid and harsh, not aligned with my personal values.

As I navigated my entrepreneurial journey, I quickly realized that authenticity and staying true to myself were powerful tools in establishing meaningful connections and fostering deeper relationships, both within the team and with clients. Instead of adhering to a preconceived notion of how a leader should behave, I discovered that embracing my own style—one that prioritizes empathy, respect, and values-driven leadership—yielded more positive outcomes.

By letting go of the need to conform to traditional stereotypes, I’ve been able to create a work environment that reflects my values and resonates with both team members and clients. This shift not only contributes to a more harmonious workplace but also enhances the overall success and growth of Nomad Cre8tive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nomadcre8tive.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadcre8tive/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nomadcre8tive/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/54275375
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/themindfulpreneur