We’ve seen quite a few new faces around Alpha Moose recently, so we thought it would be a great time to sit down with Alpha Moose creator, head writer, and CEO, Becky Strohl, and give our clients a peek at the brain behind the antlers.
Let’s start with the basics, Becky. Where did you grow up, and how did you end up in Baltimore?
I was born in Denver, CO, but mostly grew up in Texas and California with my parents and four sisters. I went to college in Berkley, California and studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain. After a brief stint living in Oregon, I moved to Baltimore to be closer to my sisters. As luck would have it I met my partner, Mark, and ended up forming roots here in Maryland.
So now we know about your partner, Mark. Do you live with anyone else?
I do! I have a very fat, tortoiseshell cat named Keeta Lollita Pita Rita Fajita (say that ten times fast!). She’s 15, queen of the castle, and thinks we should be grateful to get the chance to share a home with her. Despite all her sass, she really does give the best cuddles. At the other end of the spectrum we have Bella, a five year old boxer with endless energy who thinks everything is about her. She’s a loveable doofus that adores all other dogs, people, and activities.
It sounds like a houseful! What do you like to do on your off time, when you aren’t busy with Alpha Moose?
Well, I don’t have a lot of free time because I recently started getting my Master's in Marketing at Johns Hopkins. It’s keeping me really busy, but when I do have down time I love to read and travel! I’ve been all over the US and to 11 countries, and want to see that number grow. Part of why I wanted to own my own business was so that I could make my own schedule and work from anywhere. In July of 2023 we’re heading to Italy for a friend’s wedding. I’ve never been before and I’m so excited!
That’s awesome. What’s your favorite vacation that you’ve ever taken?
I think my favorite was visiting Santorini, Greece. The island was stunning with that European, relaxed vibe, and I loved learning about the history of the caldera island and Greece.
That sounds amazing and definitely warmer than Baltimore right now. What’s your favorite thing to do on a snow day?
Probably play in the snow with Bella, drink hot cocoa, and make my West Coast friends jealous that I get snow (...we don't need to tell them about the roads).
That sounds magical. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions?
I do! I love spending New Year’s Eve in Harbor East with Mark. We usually rent a room, get a fancy dinner, and then spend the night watching the fireworks over the Inner Harbor.
That sounds like a great way to ring in the new year! Speaking of the new year: Alpha Moose is really growing. You’ve taken on more clients and even have three freelancers working under you to keep up with the growth. Are there any marketing trends that you’re excited to see more of in 2023?
I’m really loving the increased transparency and authenticity we’re seeing in marketing communications, prompted by the current demand for accountability from big companies. Customers are a lot more savvy than they used to be and they want to know that the brands they support share their values.
Speaking of values, is there anything you want your clients or potential clients, to know about you?
Yes! Even though I’m an introvert and tend to not be the most social business owner, I truly spend time on each project to get it perfect. I really care about my clients and their communication goals. When they succeed, I succeed!
I’m sure your clients definitely feel that. Did you always want to do writing work?
No, actually! When I was little I wanted to be a teacher. I have degrees in Political Science, Philosophy, and Spanish Literature. Yet after graduation, I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do so I worked a variety of jobs from small nonprofits to big corporations. No matter my official position, I kept finding myself being the go-to person for marketing and copywriting. Eventually, I decided to make the plunge and do it full time for myself! It's the best decision I've ever made. I found my talent and my passion.
We’re so glad you did! What was your favorite non-writing job before Alpha Moose?
Ha! Honestly, it was probably when I worked at Top Dog, a hot dog restaurant in Berkeley, CA. I got to read a lot and enjoyed the tasty perks.
We’re glad you’ve switched to writing. Do you do any writing outside of your Alpha Moose Work?
I do! I’m an avid journaler and creative writer. I've written short stories, poetry, and fiction, but I'm currently working on non-fiction memoir about my late mother.
And when you’re not writing, what are you reading?
I love fantasy, fiction, and mystery. My all time favorite book is Narcissus and Goldmund by Herman Hess. It addresses the dichotomy between the rational, knowledge-seeking part of ourselves and our emotional, hedonistic, fun-loving part.
That sounds like a great read! Alright, one last hard-hitting question before we let you go. You’re stuck on a deserted island with one person. Who are you taking?
My life partner, Mark. We've been together for 10 years and complement each other with our strengths and weaknesses. He’s the love of my life and the bane of my existence, and would be very handy on a deserted island. Or maybe Jason Momoa. Because he’s so nice. It has nothing to do with what he looks like.
We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know a little bit about Becky! If you think Alpha Moose would be a good fit for your business, consider booking an easy online meetup. You’ll learn more about Becky, Alpha Moose, and how our services can be the spark you need to ignite your business. Appointments are going fast, so schedule today!
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