We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maria Ekstrand a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Maria, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I credit my parents with many things, including adventure, creativity, independence, and a strong work ethic.
My parents, Lars and Siv, are Swedish immigrants. They both made their way to Alaska at the earliest opportunity, armed with very little education or money. Fate brought them together at a Sons of Norway party in Anchorage, Alaska, in the 1960s. With modest beginnings and big dreams, they made their home and raised me and my two brothers at a time when Alaska was a young, booming state.
Together, they created a beautiful, adventurous life for our family. We hiked the mountains, camped and fished all summer, and skied in winter. There were horses, chickens, and dogs to care for and extensive gardens full of potatoes, vegetables, and berries to tend. We stocked big chest freezers of salmon, caribou, and moose meat.
There was a lot of work to do, and we all contributed. Sometimes, it was momentous: building fences, mucking the barn, packing moose meat, getting up early in the morning, and working hard all day. I was the youngest, but that didn’t excuse me from anything. My brothers were bigger and stronger, and I so badly wanted to pull my weight.
Looking back, my dad believed I could do everything despite my age or size. For example, our Easter tradition was to take a 40-mile ski trip through the Resurrection Pass. We’d ski 10 miles daily to public-use cabins, carrying packs and camping for the night. I was five when we made our first trip. My dad passed when he was 55, and I was only 27. Far too young for both of us but I am forever grateful for all the living he packed into those years.
The whole family read a lot, played cards, was not much for television, held on to our Swedish traditions, and welcomed travelers into our home. To this day, our family is very close.
I was 14 when I got my first job and had to have a parent’s signature. My mom wanted me to wait a little longer, but I wanted to start earning money so badly, so she agreed. Selling pretzels and sodas in the mall was a dream; I loved that job and worked there throughout high school. I worked at the local ski shop and waitressed during college. Once I started my first entry-level job at an ad agency, I knew I had found my calling and would do anything–run for coffee, buy props, and pick up lunch. Agency life was never easy, and it turned out that I was quite good at it. I had a way with clients, an eye for good creative, didn’t miss details, and held the bar high. Even when I reached the VP level, I’d still run for coffee or props.
Working hard comes naturally to me. I grew up not knowing any other way. I love adventure and learning new things, and I am happiest being on the steep end of the learning curve instead of in what’s within my comfort zone.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m thrilled to share my journey and professional focus with you. My name is Maria Ekstrand, and I lead Ekstrand Creative, an independent consultancy that provides comprehensive brand and marketing solutions. With over 20 years of experience in the corporate agency environment, I leverage my expertise to help businesses grow through tailored, insightful strategies.
What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to build genuine connections and foster long-term success for my clients. I believe in clear communication and avoiding confusing marketing jargon. This approach allows me to truly understand and address each client’s unique needs, making their brand’s authentic value shine.
I’m excited to announce a new ‘Focused Rebrand Package’ at Ekstrand Creative, designed to help small—to medium-sized businesses refresh their brand identity efficiently. This package includes a comprehensive brand questionnaire, a limited brand audit, brand strategy, and essential brand identity elements such as logo design, type selection, color palette, and social media graphics.
In addition to Ekstrand Creative, I also run Viking Studio Arts, where I merge my passion for art and fashion. I hand-paint clothing, upcycled denim jackets and jeans, handbags, accessories, garden art, home decor, and original art.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story and my work. I look forward to continuing to create meaningful, impactful solutions for my clients and bringing art into everyday life.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that have impacted my journey most are creative thinking, goal orientation, and Optimism.
Firstly, Creative Thinking has been crucial. I am fascinated by ideas and the connections between them. Whether uncovering a simple concept beneath a complex surface or finding new perspectives on familiar challenges, the thrill of new ideas energizes me. This creativity and originality help me develop innovative solutions for my clients, making each project unique and insightful.
Secondly, my Goal-Oriented nature drives my relentless pursuit of goals. Every day, I feel a constant need to achieve something tangible. This internal fire keeps me motivated, pushing me to work long hours without burning out. It enables me to set high productivity standards and consistently deliver results, fostering growth for myself, my clients, and my business.
Lastly, Optimism has been a cornerstone of my journey. I always look for the positive in any situation, and my enthusiasm is contagious. This upbeat attitude helps me inspire and uplift those around me, making even the most challenging projects feel exciting and vital. My signature statement, “It always works out,” reflects this unwavering Optimism, reminding me, my team, my clients – and my family – that setbacks are temporary and that success is always within reach.
For those early in their journey, I advise embracing these qualities. Cultivate a love for new ideas and seek connections that others might miss. Develop a solid drive to achieve, setting daily goals and celebrating each accomplishment. Always maintain a positive outlook; it will keep you motivated and inspire those around you.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
Developing our strengths at what we naturally do best and doing more of it is the greatest chance at satisfaction and success—at work or anywhere else. I try to be aware of areas that don’t come naturally to me. Some situations can be particularly draining or challenging for me to process, and I might have pushed through those in the past. I am more honest about the areas where I am not as strong, and I know what shuts me down.
As I was working towards launching my consultancy, moving away from a “full-service agency” mentality was difficult, and I tried to be a jack of all trades. In reality, I wasn’t excelling in any particular area. The results were mediocre, and I felt overwhelmed.
Realizing this approach wasn’t sustainable, I focused on my strengths: strategic planning, branding, and creative design. When necessary, I will collaborate with specialists in web development, SEO, etc. This improves the overall quality and allows me to deliver exceptional branding work that truly resonates with the client’s vision.
It wasn’t until I started focusing on my core strengths that I truly began to thrive. I have developed unique and impactful branding strategies for my clients by leveraging my creativity and innovative mindset.
This experience reinforced my belief that concentrating on our strengths can achieve greater impact and fulfillment. While it’s essential to have a basic understanding of the landscape, trying to excel in areas where we are not naturally strong can dilute our efforts and lead to burnout.
I recommend identifying and honing your core strengths for those early in their journey. Surround yourself with a team that complements your abilities, and don’t be afraid to partner up for areas outside your expertise. By doing so, you’ll not only enhance your performance but also create a more efficient and effective team dynamic.
In conclusion, doubling down on our strengths allows us to leverage our unique talents, deliver our best work, achieve long-term success, and, most importantly – become the best version of ourselves. This strategy has worked well for me, and I believe it can also benefit others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ekstrandcreative.net
- Linkedin: ekstrand-creative-llc
- Other: My website and social channels are in process!
Image Credits
Wendi Bates, Family Art Photo
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
